Homeowners in the Belmont Bay subdivision of Woodbridge plan to attend the Prince William County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13 in an attempt to block a proposal to reverse a previously funded plan to bury utility cables in a 1.25 mile section adjacent to the bridge crossing the Occoquan River.
The Route 1 improvement project has been discussed for at least 20 years and the Prince William County Board of Supervisors approved plans to widen and enhance this major artery through a series of funding resolutions. For the final section, from Mary’s Way to the Occoquan Bridge, no funding was originally included for utility cables to be buried despite the fact that all along the remainder of the Route 1 improvement, these would be buried.
This caused a local outcry and, as a result of citizen and business pressure, a capital project was finally voted on Dec. 3, 2013 allowing for the funding of the burial of the utility cables.
Despite – or because of – the anticipated final approval of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) for the construction contract on January 14, 2015, a last minute motion has been submitted by Prince William Gainesville District Supervisor Pete Candland to defund the project citing unspecified “higher priorities” in the County. Candland previously was part of the minority voting against the funding plan in December 2013.
This section of Route 1 entering the county is frequently referred to as “The Gateway to Prince William County” and residents and businesses alike have frequently expressed concern as to the downtrodden first impression given to visitors to the area, crossing the Occoquan. Leaving the utility cables as they are, after the road widening, will do nothing to dispel this first impression.
Residents and businesses in the surrounding area including many from the Belmont Bay development plan to attend the 2 p.m. Board of Supervisors meeting in the County Administration Building, one County Complex Court, Price William on Prince William Parkway, Woodbridge on Tuesday, Jan. 13 to vigorously oppose the defund motion.
There is a feeling that, despite the long term development plan for the county that notably incorporates the visionary “New Woodbridge” project, there is a risk that the plan will be progressively derailed if Board motions like this one are voted.
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Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS), the second-largest school division in Virginia, announced the closure of all schools and offices for Monday, January 6, 2025, due to a Winter Storm Warning. The announcement, posted on the division’s official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, stated, “Due to Winter Storm Warning, all Prince William County Public Schools and Offices will be closed Code Red on Monday, January 6, 2025 (exception: Inclement Weather Employees). Weather conditions will be monitored throughout Monday and an update will be provided as needed.”
The closure affects more than 90,000 students enrolled across the division’s 100 schools, including elementary, middle, high schools, and specialty programs. PWCS serves a diverse and growing population, providing a range of academic, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities for students in Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Under the Code Red designation, only designated inclement weather employees are required to report to work. The school division emphasized that it will continue to monitor weather conditions throughout the day on Monday and provide further updates if necessary.
Manassas Park City Schools (MPCS) announced that all schools will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, citing snowy conditions as the reason for the closure. The announcement on the division’s website stated, “All Manassas Park City Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 6th, due to snowy conditions. Code RED for employees.”
The closure affected more than 3,000 students enrolled in the city’s four schools, which include Cougar Elementary, Manassas Park Elementary, Manassas Park Middle School, and Manassas Park High School. MPCS serves the small, tight-knit community of Manassas Park and provides a range of academic and extracurricular programs designed to meet the needs of its students.
A Code RED designation means that all school employees, except those specifically designated for inclement weather duties, are not required to report to work.
Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) announced that all schools will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to forecasted inclement weather. The announcement, shared on the district’s official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, noted, “Manassas City Public Schools will be closed Jan. 6, 2025, due to forecasted inclement weather. Code BLUE for employees.”
The closure affects approximately 7,000 students across the city’s nine schools, including five elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school, and one high school. MCPS serves the city of Manassas with a variety of academic programs designed to meet the needs of a diverse student population.
The Code Blue designation means that employees are not required to report to work unless specifically notified by their supervisors. Further updates regarding school operations will be provided through the district’s official communication channels, including its website and social media accounts.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), the largest community college in Virginia and one of the largest in the nation, has declared a “Code Purple” for Monday, January 6, 2025. All classes and services will be conducted online, with no in-person operations at any of the college’s six campuses or satellite centers.
The announcement, made on X, formerly known as Twitter, stated, “All #NOVA campuses are operating virtually. Classes and services are online only.” The move impacts more than 70,000 students enrolled across the college’s campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield, and Woodbridge.
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