Despite design grant, funds to widen U.S. 1 missing

Stafford County, Va. –– Everyone seems to know U.S. 1 at Quantico needs to be widened, but no one seems to know who is going to pay for it.

Earlier this year both Stafford and Prince William counties applied for $2 million in federal money for the study and design phase of widening the highway from four to six lanes, between Quanitco’s main in Triangle gate to the Quantico Corporate Center in Stafford’s Boswell’s Corner.

Stafford officials say they’ve received their portion of the money  – just over $1 million –  and say the study is a huge step forward.

But no organization has stepped up to cover the estimated $25 million that will be needed to actually widen the road.

“As you may know, this project is the number one priority project for the Quantico Growth Management Committee… We will be working with [Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization] and other transportation agencies to identify a lead for the project once the design and engineering phase is complete, and will be going after federal funds later to help with the funding for the construction,” said Stafford County spokeswoman Cathy Riddle.

Both Stafford and Prince William counties were required to put up $45,000 each in local match money to receive the federal grant. Stafford County tapped its transportation fund for the money.

A wider U.S. 1 will be needed as the military plans to move hundreds of employees form five separate investigative agencies to Quantico by September 2011.

More commuters are expected to use both Quantico’s main gate and back gates, both of which are located on this portion of U.S. 1, after the move is completed.

If the road is widened, the project is expected to be managed by a consortium of transportation officials from both counties.