DUMFRIES, Va. — If U.S. 1 is going to be widened in Dumfries, Prince William County officials will not have anything to do with it.
County Executive Melissa Peacor sent an email stating her county’s government has no interest in managing the $1.6 million project for initial survey work and right of way cost to expand a 2-mile section of the heavily traveled north-south commuter route from Brady’s Hill Road to Wayside Drive, near a Walmart store.
“At your Town Council meeting on Tuesday, members of your Council made it very clear they are not interested in the County administering this project and the Council has directed you to find an alternative to administer the project that is not the County. Due to the discussions at your Council meeting and their direction to you to seek an alternative, I have directed the Transportation Department to notify VDOT that we will not be administering this contract. VDOT understands our position on this; we believe this is in the best interest of all parties.”
– Prince William County Executive Melissa Peacor
Dumfries’ — which lies in Prince William County but has a separate town government — public works officials admit they are too small of a department to manage the widening project. Elected officials on the Town Council had some not-so-nice words about the county.
“They’re not always the most cooperative, and they seem to enjoy taking over and running the show with whatever we’ve got going on,” said Councilwoman Kristen Forrester.
Town officials, including Town Manager Daniel Taber, said Dumfries “still holds the purse strings” when it comes to the project, would direct the county on how to carry out the project, and would have a spot at all meetings related to the widening. VDOT tapped Prince William County’s Transportation Department to manage the project instead the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) because of “their exemplary track record” of delivering other road projects, including the widening of U.S. 1 in neighboring Triangle and Prince William Parkway.
Taber said he has no plans of going back to Peacor to ask her to reconsider. Now VDOT must manage the project, according to a Prince William County spokesman.
Still, other members of the Dumfries Town Council still want to see the county manage the project.
“There is no way Dumfries should do this project without Prince William County. The letter from Melissa Peacor is very disappointing, and it shows a lack of willingness to work together,” said Mayor Jerry Foreman.
The project will see the widening of U.S. 1 from four to six lanes on each side, and it will reroute the southbound portion of the highway to run alongside the northbound side of the road. That would create a new, less heavily-traveled main street that would carry traffic past Town Hall.
Town officials had hoped to have a signed agreement by Nov. 1. The widening project does not include a separate project to improve the intersection at U.S. 1 and Va. 234, which is being managed by Prince William County, ahead of new homes being built in the nearby Potomac Shores neighborhood.
Recent Stories
The statues were constant reminders of our past — a reminder not to repeat the same mistakes again.
The Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy’s Basic Recruit Session #56 Graduation was marked by personal connections and unwavering dedication to public service.
With the completion of the major construction sites at Riverfront Park and William Square, final parking signage is planned to be installed by the City of Fredericksburg in these two areas by the end of May 2024.
In support of national Take Your Child to Work Day, children aged 17 and younger can ride any OmniRide bus for free on Thursday, April 25.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Do stress and anxiety seem to dominate your thoughts? At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand that navigating mental health can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our team of compassionate therapists is here to guide you on your journey toward inner peace and emotional well-being. With a client-centered approach, we tailor our therapy sessions to meet your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re struggling with depression, coping with trauma, or simply seeking personal growth, we provide a safe and supportive space for healing and growth.
Embark on a path of self-discovery with our comprehensive range of therapy services, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and holistic approaches. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to helping you cultivate resilience, develop coping skills, and foster a greater sense of self-awareness.
Are you facing life’s challenges, feeling overwhelmed, or seeking personal growth? Embrace the path to emotional well-being with our expert psychotherapy services!
Why Choose Us?
Our team of compassionate and experienced psychotherapists is here to guide you on your journey to inner peace, self-discovery, and positive change. We provide a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County
