Residents of Prince William County’s Coles District got their first look at a new $55 million interchange county leaders are planning to build at Prince William Parkway and Brentsville Road, near Manassas.
Once the interchange is in place, two signal lights on Prince William Parkway, at Brentsville and Dumfries roads, will be removed.
Rick Canizales, the county’s transportation director spoke about an interchange project in front of about 50 people who attended a town hall meeting hosted by Supervisor Yesli Vega at the Lake Jackson Volunteer Fire Department on March 12.
The approved design for the interchange would make the road safer, reduce congestion and prepare the road for service for the next twenty years, said Canizales. The full cost of the project is being covered by a grant from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA). The project is scheduled to be completed by 2023.
A public hearing about the project was scheduled for March 25, however, the meeting was canceled to social distancing measures instituted after the spread of the deadly coronavirus. Officials are now exploring the possibility of holding a virtual town hall meeting in place of the March 25 meeting.
“We will make that determination with Supervisor Vega’s input soon,” Canizales told Potomac Local News.
County officials describe the project:
The proposed concept will include the construction of two bridge(s) over Route 234, replacing the signalized intersections of Dumfries Road (Route 234 Bus) and Prince William Parkway (Route 294) /Brentsville Road.
The new bridges will provide free flow movements fo southbound Prince William Parkway (Route 234) to eastbound Prince William Parkway (Route 294), as well as westbound Prince William Parkway (Route 294) to southbound Dumfries Road (Route 234).
The delays currently experienced at the two existing signals on Prince William Parkway (Route 234) in both directions will be eliminated. The intersection of Prince William Parkway ( Route 294) at Bradley Cemetery Way will be converted to a continuous Green-T intersection that allows eastbound Prince William Parkway (Route 294) to be free flowing.
A signal will be activated to allow Bradley Cemetery Way left turns onto eastbound Prince William Parkway ( Route 294). Brentsville Road will be realigned with Dumfries Road (Route 234 Bus). Westbound Prince William Parkway (Route 294) will have free right turns towards the intersection with Dumfries Road (Route 234 Bus).
Brentsville Road will be rerouted to align with Dumfries Road (Route 234 Bus) and the new intersection with the ramp from southbound Route 234 will operate as another continuous Green-T intersection with northbound Brentsville traffic free-flowing.
A signal will be activated to allow southbound Route 234 left turns onto northbound Brentsville Road/Dumfries Road (Route 234 Bus).
The intersection of Bradley Cemetery Lane and Dumfries Road ( Route 234 Bus) will be signalized and will take ramp traffic to and from northbound Prince William Parkway (Route 234) The Route 294 to Route 234 existing Shared Use Path (SUP) [for runners, walkers, and bicyclists] will be rerouted thru the interchange and tie back to the existing SUP on the south side of Route 234.
A new SUP will be constructed along extended Dumfries Road (Route 234 Bus) to meet future SUP shown in the County Comprehensive plan along the west side of Dumfries Road (Route 234 Bus) at Bradley Cemetery Way.
Officials were set to give final approval for the project in May and award a construction contract in August. It’s unclear how the coronavirus might affect the timeline of the project.
The interchange at Brentsville Road is one of two new improvements that the county’s department of transportation is working on. The department will build a new $24.2 million quadrant intersection at Prince William Parkway and University Boulevard, near the George Mason University Science and Technolgy Campus, that it hopes will reduce traffic congestion and lead to fewer crashes there.
The department is also building a new $145 million diverging diamond interchange at the intersection of Prince William Parkway and Balls Ford Road.
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Due to frigid temperatures forecasted for tonight, schools in the region are adjusting their schedules to ensure the safety of students and staff:
Stafford County Public Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay Thursday, January 23, 2025.
Spotsylvania County Public Schools will also open two hours late. Twelve-month and essential employees are expected to report on time, as safety permits. All other employees should report two hours late.
King George County Schools will follow suit, with a 2-hour delay.
Janet Brown was appointed Stafford County’s citizen representative to the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Board following a unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors during their January 21, 2025, meeting. Brown’s appointment comes as the county looks to strengthen ties with the regional library system and improve its collaborative efforts to enhance library services.
Brown, a longtime Stafford resident and active community member, brings a wealth of experience in civic engagement and public service. “I am honored to represent Stafford County and look forward to working with the library board to ensure our community has access to the best resources and services,” Brown stated following her appointment. Her term will begin immediately.
The appointment follows a challenging period for the county’s relationship with the library board. During the same meeting, Chairman Deuntay Diggs issued a public apology to former library board member Mary Becelia, who was removed from her position under allegations of misconduct.
Meet Daphne, a sweet 2-year-old pup with a personality that’s as fun as it is adorable! Daphne came to the Spotsylvania Animal Shelter as a stray, and while she was a bit reserved at first, she’s now blossomed into a lively, energetic, and curious girl who loves attention.
This lovable dog walks wonderfully on a leash and enjoys exploring the outdoors. She’s eager to learn new things and thrives on positive interactions with people. While Daphne is quiet and calm in her kennel, her excitement is evident every time someone walks by—she’s always ready for a chance to play and explore outside.
If you’re looking for a loyal and energetic companion to brighten your days, Daphne could be the perfect fit.
Visit her during adoption hours at the Spotsylvania Animal Shelter, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit their website at Spotsylvania Animal Shelter.
Help Daphne find the loving home she deserves—stop by today!
Join the fun at the Manassas Winter Market on Saturday, January 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Prince William Street Commuter Lot in Historic Downtown Manassas. Shop for baked goods, fresh produce, warm beverages, and other seasonal delights while supporting local vendors. The market runs every Saturday through March 22, making it the perfect spot to stock up your pantry and enjoy cozy winter vibes.
Do you have an upcoming event to share? Submitting it to our community events calendar is easy and free! Just fill out our event submission form at this link. Include all the essential details, and we’ll help spread the word about your event to our readers.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
