Principi Talks Expansion of Route 1, Extension of Metrorail

Route 1 will be widened in the next few years, and an extension of the Metrorail system to Woodbridge may be in the works, Supervisor Frank Principi said Friday.

In his July 2012 Community Focus video, Principi said that transportation "is one issue that drastically affects our quality of life." 

Transportation forms one prong of Principi's three-pronged vision for a New Woodbridge. Principi split the transportation topic into two goals: improving roads and finding alternate transportation options.

"After decades of discussion about widening Route 1, we are finally moving forward," Principi said. "The Virginia Department of Transportation finalized plans for the "

The first phase of this project is already fully funded at $172 million. Route 1 will be widened to six lanes from Annapolis Way to Mary's Way, with a median, sidewalk, and bike path. This phase will also involve improvements to "feeder roads" like Occoquan Road, Horner Road and Annapolis Way.

The second phase is not yet fully funded. It would include a flyover from Occoquan Road over Route 1 to the Belmont communities. 

"This project will improve access for commuters and local traffic," Principi said. "VDOT is moving forward with land acquisition and utility relocation as we speak. Construction is set to break ground in 2014." 

Principi also supports a county transportation project to expand Route 1 from four to six lanes from Featherstone Road to Neabsco Mills Road.

This woud leave an unimproved 1.3 mile segment between Mary's Way and Featherstone Road. 

"It is absolutely critical that we improve this stretch, not only to avoid the bottleneck that will continue to occur there, but also because this is the connection to Prince William Parkway," Principi said. "Funding this project is a high priority for me and is something i will continue to focus on." 

Better transportation also means working on a variety of transit options, including Virginia Rail Express, Metrorail, bus, and high-speed passenger ferries. 

"The extension of Metrorail can be found in the comprehensive Prince William County plan, which guides the direction of our county," Principi said. 

Congressman Gerry Connolly introduced legislation for a "technical feasibility study" about the extension of Metrorail from Franconia-Springfield to Woodbridge. This study would be paid for by federal funds. 

"If we don't take steps to understand all of our longterm options, we will regret it later," Principi said. 

For more of Principi's thoughts on transportation, including his thoughts on high-speed passenger ferries, see the YouTube video.