Happy Labor Day Weekend! I am so grateful for all of the hard-working families in our district and I wish you a restful holiday. As a reminder, all Fairfax County Public Schools and Loudoun County Public Schools will be closed for employees and students on Friday, September 2nd and Monday, September 5th in observance of Labor Day. Have a safe, joyful, and relaxing holiday weekend.
On Wednesday, September 7th, the General Assembly is returning to Richmond for a special legislative session.
Next month, Delegate Jackie Glass and I are hosting the 10th Annual Women Veterans Roundtable. We invite women veterans to join us for lunch to voice your specific needs and concerns. As a longtime champion of women veterans issues, I value your insight and will take it into consideration when drafting bills for the upcoming 2023 session.
Please direct questions and RSVP to my Chief of Staff, Madison McCabe, at [email protected]. I look forward to meeting you and learning about your experience as a woman veteran.
Sincerely,
Delegate Kathleen Murphy
VA-34
Route 7 Upcoming Lane Closures for Sept. 6-9, 2022
Crews will be performing excavation and fill operations, clearing, storm pipe work, paving and other construction-related activities on Sept. 6-9 along eastbound and westbound Route 7 and on other neighborhood streets.
As a reminder, drivers will experience lane shifts on Route 7, traffic pattern changes on neighborhood streets, and detours along the corridor. Please see the related traffic alerts. Temporary road closures are listed here.
Drivers are reminded that the speed limit along Route 7 has been temporarily reduced to 45 miles per hour in active work zones between Reston Avenue and Jarrett Valley Drive.
Effective Jan. 1, 2021, it is illegal to hold a handheld personal communications device (e.g., your smartphone) while driving a moving motor vehicle on Virginia highways. Click here for more information, including details on the five exceptions to this law.
Western Section of New I-66 Express Lanes Planned to Open Ahead of Schedule on or About the Weekend of Sept. 10, 2022
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Commonwealth’s private partner, I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP), and the design-build contractor, FAM Construction, announced plans today to open the western-most segment of the new 66 Express Lanes during the weekend of September 10. The exact opening date will be announced in the coming days, as crews work to complete weather-dependent final preparations.
The nine-mile western stretch of 66 Express Lanes spans from Route 29 in Gainesville to Route 28 in Centreville, and features multiple new ramps providing direct access to and from the express lanes. The remaining 13 miles of new express lanes along I-66 between Route 28 and I-495 (the Capital Beltway) are scheduled to open in December 2022.
FDA Approves an Omicron Specific COVID-19 Booster Vaccine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to authorize bivalent formulations of the vaccines for use as a single booster dose at least two months following primary or booster vaccination. The bivalent vaccines, which we will also refer to as “updated boosters,” contain two messenger RNA (mRNA) components of SARS-CoV-2 virus, one of the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and the other one in common between the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.
For more information and eligibility requirements, click here.
After School Program for 5th to 9th Graders in Fairfax County
The Old Firehouse offers members FREE after school programs Monday through Friday from 2:30-6:00 p.m. To become a member or to renew a membership, see Membership and Policies.
Come when you can to hang out after school with your friends at a place that offers experiences you'll remember for a lifetime. The Old Firehouse is a safe, friendly alternative to staying home alone. The After School Program includes a snack and drink, crafts and games, computer lab, various clubs, sports, and homework assistance. There will also be trips to laser tag, mini golf, paintball, go-karting, and much more! Find out more.
Fundraising Reception for VA's Three Congresswomen
Please join me, Marie Ridder, Hon. Priscilla Clapp, and Hon. James P. Moran Jr. for a reception in support of Virginia’s Three Congresswoman, Abigail Spanberger, Elaine Luria, Jennifer Wexton, on Thursday, September 15th from 6-8 p.m. You can find additional details on the invitation below and tickets can be purchased here. I hope you can join us.
For any questions, please contact [email protected].
Upcoming Events
Sunday, October 2: McLean Artfest
Artfest is a festival held the first Sunday in October with 40 regional artists, food vendors, a music stage and kids activities. It is free and open to the public.
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: McLean Central Park
1468 Dolley Madison Boulevard, McLean, VA 22102
Thursday, October 6: Women Veterans Roundtable
Women veterans are invited to share their experiences, issues, and specific concerns with local leaders and policymakers.
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: McLean Government Center
1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101
Saturday, October 8: Practice Police and Fire Department Encounter for Individuals with Disabilities
Participants will have the opportunity to engage with police and fire/rescue staff in a controlled environment, practicing scenarios like interacting with police in traffic stops or car accidents, as well as engaging with fire/rescue personnel in an ambulance, medical crisis or in a fire emergency. Register for free here.
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Kenmore Middle School Parking Lot