Stafford County Secures $10.25 Million Federal PROTECT Grant for Brooke Road Flood Mitigation and Resiliency Project

On September 24, 2025, Stafford County formally executed its agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), securing more than $10.25 million in federal funding through the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant Program. This investment will support the County's Brooke Road Flood Mitigation and Resiliency Project, a critical infrastructure initiative designed to address chronic flooding, improve roadway safety and strengthen community resiliency.

Administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the PROTECT Grant Program funds nationwide projects that combat the impacts of flooding, sea level rise, wildfires, extreme weather events and other natural disasters. The Stafford County Board of Supervisors authorized staff to apply for the program in 2023, recognizing the urgent need to address ongoing flooding hazards along Brooke Road (SR 608).

In 2024, Stafford County's Brooke Road project was selected as one of just 80 nationwide to be eligible for funding. By July 2025, the project had been chosen to proceed with the execution of the PROTECT Grant agreement, joining only 31 other projects nationwide. Stafford County will receive $10,251,613 in federal funds, which will be awarded on a reimbursement basis with a 20% County match.

Project Overview

The Brooke Road Flood Mitigation and Resiliency Project will realign approximately 0.45 miles of Brooke Road between Loblolly Lane and Maplewood Drive, an area commonly referred to as the "S-Curves." This roadway segment is the sole access point for roughly 450 residents living east of the S-Curves, and it also serves commuters traveling to the VRE rail station and local parklands.

Key improvements include:

• Raising the roadway by five feet to move it out of the 100-year floodplain;
• Horizontal realignment of Brooke Road to maintain traffic during construction;
• Long-term mitigation of chronic flooding caused by its proximity to Accokeek Creek, a major Potomac River tributary.

These upgrades will not only safeguard residents' access to Brooke Road but will also enhance regional mobility and emergency response reliability.

Project Timeline

The project was initially approved in Fiscal Year 2022 as a County-funded effort with an allocation of $7.5 million. However, post-COVID construction inflation created a significant funding gap, leading the County to pursue federal support. With the transition to federal funding, the project must comply with all federal regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). While this ensures environmental stewardship and long-term resilience, it has also extended the schedule by approximately one year.

• Final Design Phase: Ongoing
• Right-of-Way Acquisition and Utility Relocation Start: Spring/Summer 2026
• Construction Start: Spring/Summer 2027
• Completion: Anticipated in 2028

More information can be found on the project's webpage on the Stafford County website: https://staffordcountyva.gov/brookeroad.