As the region reopens, eyes are shifting back to the roads as workers head back to the office.
I-66 Mobility Partners, the consortium that’s working to add toll lanes to Interstate 66 from Haymarket to the Capital Beltway will build a new headquarters in Prince William County, near Manassas.
It writes:
I-66 Express Mobility Partners broke ground today on its administrative, maintenance complex at 7450 Century Park Drive in Manassas. Scheduled to open in 2022, these facilities will provide traffic management, emergency response coordination, maintenance, and snow removal for the I-66 Express Lanes currently under construction from Gainesville to the Capital Beltway.The Express Lanes are scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2022.Approximately 60 full time employees in the areas of management, technology, customer service and operations personnel will be based at this location.
The complex features a 25,000 square foot office building and technical operations hub, an adjacent 8400 square foot utility building, and an 28,000 square foot parking lot.It is adjacent to the 1300 space Balls Ford Road commuter park and ride lot that is currently under construction.The location also provides direct access to the I-66 Express Lanes for public safety personnel from the newly opened Prince William County/Groveton Fire Station, which went into service in January 2021.
“Breaking ground for this facility is marks another milestone in our progress to transform I-66 outside the beltway into a more reliable, safer travel experience for motorists in the region,” commented Javier Gutierrez, chief executive officer of I-66 Express Mobility Partners.“Overall, we are investing more than $3.5 billion into the I-66 Corridor, which included $284 million in funding for vital transportation-related projects in Prince William County, including the Balls Ford Road widening project and mass transit improvements.”
As part of the project, two express lanes would be built in each direction between Haymarket and the Beltway. The lanes will operate similarly to express lanes that run along Interstates 495 and 95 in Virginia and will open next year.
Leading the consortium to build the lanes are two companies Cintra, based in Spain, and Meridiam, based in France.
Recent Stories
Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman At-Large of the Prince William County School Board, has entered the race for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, positioning himself as an education-focused candidate in a crowded Democratic primary. With years of experience overseeing Virginia’s second-largest school division, Lateef brings a track record of pushing for increased teacher pay, improved graduation rates, and infrastructure investments—all issues he hopes to prioritize at the state level.
An Education-First Platform
Lateef, an ophthalmologist and longtime public servant, has served on the Prince William County School Board since 2018. Under his leadership, teacher salaries have increased by 61%, making the county more competitive with neighboring school divisions. Additionally, the county’s graduation rate has risen to 95%, the highest in its history.
When the toilet gets clogged, or the pipe springs a leak, it might be time to call Mr. Rooter, the newest plumbing place in Fredericksburg, to fix the problem.
Officials gathered on Thursday, January 30, 2025, to cut the ribbon on the new Westwood Center office just east of I-95.
“When we started Mr. Rooter here in Fredericksburg, we set out to create not just another plumbing service, but a local business that our community can trust — whether it is for routine plumbing repair, an emergency fix, or a major installation,” said Gilbert Mwenedata, owner of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Fredericksburg. “We’re proud to be part of this wonderful community, and we look forward to building lasting relationships with our neighbors, customers, and other local businesses,” he said.
The Haymarket Town Council is set to meet tonight, Monday, February 3, 2025, at 7 p.m. to receive an update from the town manager on several ongoing projects and initiatives. The meeting will occur at the Council Chambers, located at 15000 Washington St., Suite 100, in Haymarket.
Among the key topics on the agenda, town officials will discuss:
Park Sidewalk Project: Progress continues on the asphalt work, tree planting, and signage installation along Washington Street, with lighting and benches set to be delivered soon.
Stormwater Assessment Program: Officials have identified three major problem areas for stormwater drainage improvements, with full surveying expected to be completed by April 2025.
Town Center Development: Town staff are reviewing the latest submission of the site plan, with discussions focused on prioritization and financing.
Highpointe at Haymarket: The rezoning application for a proposed workforce housing project remains on hold.
ARTfactory and Birmingham Green made headlines in Manassas this week. ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions, now Actors Theatre, won seven awards at the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, including Best Musical for Kinky Boots and Best Choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre also earned recognition, winning Best Theatre for Young Audiences for its production of The Wizard of Oz.
Meanwhile, Birmingham Green, ranked as Northern Virginia’s top nursing home by Newsweek Magazine, announced Duane Smith as its new Nursing Home Administrator, effective December 30, 2024. Smith brings extensive experience from senior living leadership roles across multiple states and holds several professional qualifications. Birmingham Green continues its 90-year mission of providing quality long-term care to Northern Virginians in need.
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.
