Millions Spent On Route 28 Bypass To Be Repaid After Project Canceled

MANASSAS, VA — After cancellation of the Route 28 bypass project, funds will be returned to the funding source.

On Tuesday, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted to reimburse the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority for funds spent on the Route 28 bypass project. That follows the board cancelling the bypass project in February amid rising costs, concerns with displacing homes and other factors.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, which allocates regional revenues for transportation projects with a focus on relieving congestion, had provided $6 million for studies and $89 million for the project's design and construction. The county will pay more than $7.4 million to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority through recordation tax revenues for transportation.

Chair Deshundra Jefferson (D-at large) said in a statement the board wanted to continue collaboration with the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and other localities to improve Route 28 congestion.

"Prince William County officials recognize the need to address congestion on Route 28 to improve both safety and commute times for our residents and the region as a whole," said Jefferson. "While we canceled this specific project, Prince William County officials remain determined to find a solution to the traffic issues in the Route 28 corridor, and we are doing that by exploring other options."

Following the project cancellation, Supervisor Yesli Vega (R-Coles) issued a directive to pursue an alternative project. The directive calls for removing the Route 28 bypass from the county's mobility plan and add a widening of Route 28 from four to six lanes between the Manassas city and Fairfax County lines. To add the widening to the county's mobility plan and remove the bypass project, the board would need to approve a comprehensive plan amendment.

SEE ALSO:

• Route 28 Widening Eyed After Bypass Project Cancellation
• Route 28 Bypass Project Ended By Prince William County Supervisors
• Manassas Council Members React To Prince William County's Route 28 Bypass Cancellation
• Majority Disagree With Route 28 Bypass Cancellation In Patch Survey