“U.S. 1 Widening in the Town of DumfriesNVTA allocated $78 million to fully fund construction to widen about two miles of U.S. 1 to three lanes in each direction between Brady’s Hill Road and Va. 234. The project will include a shared-use bicycle and pedestrian path along the southbound side of the new Fraley Boulevard alignment and will include a sidewalk along the northbound side. Roughly 28,000 vehicles per day use that section of road, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation website.The project, which also includes the widening of the bridge crossing Quantico Creek, will reduce congestion, increase capacity, and improve accessibility and safety for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. Rebuilding and widening the road over Quantico Creek additionally aims to minimize flooding.Preliminary engineering, rights-of-way, and utility relocation, totaling $52 million, were previously funded primarily by the NVTA, along with some state and federal funding, to bring the total cost of the project to $130 million. Design is ongoing with construction set to start as early as 2023.Summit School Road and Telegraph RoadThe NVTA also awarded $24 million to fully fund the extension of Summit School Road, where it ends at Kinnicutt Drive, to connect with Telegraph Road, north of the Horner Road Park-and-Ride lot entrance. The project also includes widening Telegraph Road between Caton Hill Road and Prince William Parkway. This project will ease traffic and improve flow in the Woodbridge area by relieving commuter congestion in the vicinity of the park-and-ride lot area. The project will also continue a sidewalk and multi-use path along the corridor.North WoodbridgeAnother $8 million from the NVTA is funding North Woodbridge mobility improvements, which will extend Annapolis Way to connect U.S. 1 to Gordon Boulevard (Va. 123). This roadway extension will lay the foundation for the North Woodbridge Small Area Plan internal road network and increase accessibility in this intensive multi-modal area, which includes the Woodbridge VRE Station, I-95, U.S. 1 and the Route 123 Commuter Lot.According to an NVTA press release, the projects within Prince William County will not only help the county, but the region at large, by improving traffic flow to ease congestion.The NVTA is a regional body that plans and manages public funds for transportation projects designed to reduce congestion throughout the region.Through the new funding program, NVTA is investing $539M in regionally significant projects located across Northern Virginia, benefiting Prince William County and the region at large. With the adoption of the FY2020-2025 Six Year Program, and implementation of its four previous funding programs, NVTA is advancing 106 regional multimodal transportation projects, totaling nearly $2.5 billion, for congestion reduction throughout the region.”
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Commuter traffic in the Washington, D.C. metro area is set to surge as President Donald Trump issues an executive order ending remote work for federal employees. The Center Square reports that Trump’s directive mandates federal workers return to their offices full-time, with limited exemptions determined by department heads. The move is welcomed by regional leaders like Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who have long urged a return to in-person work to bolster public transit ridership and address underused federal buildings. Federal employees, who constitute a significant portion of D.C.-area residents, are pivotal to the region’s economy.
Fire investigators are still searching for answers in two recent fires that caused significant damage in Fredericksburg and Woodbridge. The December 5 blaze at Eagle Village Shopping Center began in the warehouse of Play It Again Sports and quickly spread, destroying multiple businesses. Despite extensive efforts, investigators have been unable to determine the fire’s cause. Meanwhile, a January 21 townhouse fire in Woodbridge displaced two residents after unattended cooking sparked flames. Working smoke detectors alerted the occupants, allowing them to escape safely. Both incidents highlight the importance of fire safety and preparedness as investigations into the causes continue.
In a pivotal discussion during the January 21, 2025, meeting, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved funding measures for a new fire station in the Brentsville District, addressing a pressing need for expanded emergency services. The debate revolved around whether to utilize proffer funds—developer-contributed resources earmarked for public infrastructure—or tap into the county’s fire levy fund.
Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy initiated an amendment to the funding resolution, proposing the use of Brentsville District fire proffers “to the greatest extent possible” before considering the fire levy fund. With $3 million available in Brentsville fire proffers, Gordy emphasized aligning these restricted funds with their intended purpose: supporting fire and rescue services.
“This approach ensures that we prioritize restricted funds before relying on broader resources like the fire levy,” Gordy explained.
Arctic high pressure continues to grip the region, keeping dangerously cold temperatures and bitter wind chills in place through Thursday morning. The National Weather Service warns that these frigid conditions will persist, with temperatures struggling to climb above freezing during the day and plummeting overnight.
Temperatures on Wednesday will remain well below freezing, with daytime highs only reaching the teens and lower 20s. Wind chills will remain a significant concern, with values ranging from -10°F to -25°F in many areas.
By Wednesday night, winds will ease slightly as high pressure drifts overhead, but temperatures will still drop to the single digits in many areas, with subzero readings likely in higher elevations.
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.
