FAMPO’s River Crossing Parkway Study Survey is open until January 3, 2025, inviting public feedback on transportation development in the Fredericksburg region. The survey allows residents to share opinions on the project’s impact on regional needs, the community, and access to goods and services.

Press Release:

FAMPO’s River Crossing Parkway Study Survey is now open until January 3rd, 2025! If you drive, walk, or roll in the Fredericksburg region, you can make an impact on how transportation develops by providing feedback during public comment periods. You are invited to provide feedback on the River Crossing Parkway Study by completing our online survey. To view the presentation boards used during our November 20th River Crossing Study Public Meeting, please click here.

 

Fredericksburg officials used map boards and statistics to present potential plans for another bridge across the Rappahannock River at a public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

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Press release:

Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) is working towards an eventual National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) certification for a river crossing bridge and parkway west of I-95, across the Rappahannock River. This new crossing would provide direct access between Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg West of I-95 and help offer a more reliable transportation network, including more north/south routes for local traffic and additional routes for emergency responders, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian users, while reducing everyday reliance of trips accessing the I-95 corridor.

At the May 15th, 2023, FAMPO Policy Committee meeting, the committee reviewed and approved a rough draft Purpose and Need statement for a River Crossing Parkway NEPA Alternatives Study. FAMPO staff, with assistance from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) produced a River Crossing Research Report, which was adopted by the FAMPO Policy Committee in June 2023. Consultants, Michael Baker International (MBI) were selected to proceed with a River Crossing Parkway Alternatives Study.

In conjunction with FAMPO, MBI is performing this study as a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) alternatives study for the various crossing options. MBI, in conjunction with FAMPO, will conduct an Open House workshop on November 20th 2024, at the Virginia Credit Union Stadium located at 42 Jackie Robinson Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, from 5pm-7pm. This open house is a drop-in style meeting where the community can talk directly with members of the project team about the preliminary findings of the analysis of the five candidate crossing options compared to a no-build alternative. At the Open House, MBI will present a study overview, share relevant traffic and environmental data and planning level cost estimates, and solicit public input from the community.
The public has the opportunity to provide feedback by taking the River Crossing Parkway Survey, which will open on the morning of Tuesday, November 19.

MBI has evaluated the transportation and environmental impacts of alternative alignments within the Project Study Area and will add public input to the transportation and safety needs. Data collection includes assembling existing information, conducting traffic counts and traffic model simulations, and obtaining key stakeholder insights on corridor congestion, safety, public transit, bicycle/pedestrian issues/usage, etc. In addition, MBI reviewed project alternatives comparing environmental and human impacts, costs, and effectiveness.

The Fredericksburg Metropolitan Area Planning Organization is educating residents about a major project to expand rail capacity in Fredericksburg and Stafford County by adding a third railroad track. The project involves replacing several bridges, including the Leeland Road Bridge, to accommodate the new track, which will affect local traffic.

Ian Ollis, the organization’s director, explained the scope of the project. “It’s one main project that seeks to replace a bridge over the rail line. The reason for that is the need to put a third rail track from Union Station in D.C. down to our region,” Ollis said.

Virginia has purchased 50% of the rail right-of-way, particularly the eastern half, where most stations are located. The third track will be constructed in sections, tying in with the new Long Bridge over the Potomac River. Ollis detailed the project’s progress, noting that it will be built in pieces through Stafford County toward Quantico.

The Leeland Road Bridge will be a key focus, with work anticipated to begin in the fall of 2025. “That bridge is going to be out of action for almost two years,” Ollis stated. During this period, alternative routes will be provided to ensure access to schools and homes.

VDOT regularly conducts traffic counts, and this data will be used to manage the detours and inform the public about available routes during the construction period. “Public participation and engagement will explain the need, duration, and alternative routes available,” Ollis said.

This project is part of a broader effort to enhance passenger rail service in Virginia. In 2019, then-Governor Northam announced an expansion of passenger rail service between Washington, D.C., and Richmond. This project is essential for separating freight and passenger trains, currently sharing tracks at 94% capacity.

Ollis highlighted the expansion’s benefits. “The goal is to double the number of VRE trains and increase Amtrak trains by 50% by 2030. With additional capacity, we can have one train every hour, significantly improving service,” he said.

VRE is already working toward implementing service on Saturdays, a first in the system’s 32-year history.

The expansion aligns with long-term plans for high-speed rail between Virginia and North Carolina. However, funding remains a challenge. “There’s a plan to design a new bridge over the Rappahannock River and potentially build a new train station in Fredericksburg, but this will require more funds beyond the committed $5.5 billion,” Ollis noted.

Addressing the impact on Fredericksburg’s iconic Rappahannock River bridge, Ollis assured that public involvement in the design process would be crucial. “A new bridge might be designed to look identical to the existing one, ensuring it fits the historical landscape,” he said.

Stafford County Supervisor Crystal Vanuch, recognizing the crucial role of the Fredericksburg Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) in transportation planning, recently reached out seeking data on the teleworking trends among Federal Government employees.

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At Fredericksburg, three bridges cross the Rappahannock River to keep traffic flowing at Interstate 95 and points east. West of I-95, the closest bridge is over 40 miles away, increasing congestion and stress for many drivers.

This fueled much discussion at the “Rappahannock River Crossing Parkway Alternatives Study,” a Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting.

On the first map of several set out for the audience to view, an oval line was drawn around an area that took a chunk out of Central Park and a more significant chunk out of Stafford County near the Celebrate Virginia Parkway in Stafford County. “That’s where the data is telling us the traffic is going,” said Brad Shelton, an urban planner with Michael Baker Engineering in Richmond.

FAMPO is studying the potential of a new bridge that would link drivers on Route 17 in Stafford County to Central Park, near the Fredericksburg National’s Virginia Credit Union Stadium on Gordon Shelton Boulevard.

There were lots of opinions, though. “I’m just here to see if it will impact where we are,” said Erica Wright, who lives further west than the oval area of interest. “I’m not sure this is the sweet spot,” said another who lives in England Run Lane in Stafford. “It would be a much wiser choice to use that,” added Bill Scaife, pointing at Celebrate Virignia Parkway on the map.

On the maps, planners identified several bridge locations for a future bridge, labeling them A, B, C, D, and F so attendees could see where their house was in relation to the proposed bridge. A map showing the placements is in the slideshow above.

Options B and C were a little further from I-95. Still, a developer recently unleashed housing plans that almost eliminated B and C. Then there was D, which got plenty of attention, too, and option F, which had the crossing closer to Spotsylvania, near Cannon Ridge.

FAMPO officials said their study comparing and contrasting a range of alternatives for a new bridge over the Rappahannock River west of I-95 between Stafford County and Fredericksburg is the first step in the construction process. They add that a bridge will not be built soon, and the study findings must first be presented to the FAMPO Policy Board.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will eventually be included in the discussion over the new bridge. However, no one from the juggernaut state agency was present at the March 20 meeting, despite the agency allowing the meeting to be held in a conference room at its regional compound in Stafford County.

Although transportation, the flow of traffic, and access to destination points west of I-95 were the main themes of the meeting, some also looked at the environment and wildlife that the construction could impact. Deer, bears, foxes, coyotes, Bald Eagles, and turtles were mentioned, as well as history involving a small cemetery near England Run Lane where Reverend Greaves and his nephew Nathaniel Sanford who are buried, were all decision items.

“Right by the waterfall, there’s four more graves,” said one woman.

A voice came out of the crowd. “They were talking about ‘Tysons Cornering’ this area they were looking at,” one of the Option A Group members said.

Officials collected comments at the comment table, and the comment period will be open through April 19, 2024. There is a survey at fampo.gwregion.org/riverstudy or email comments to [email protected]. Another public meeting will be scheduled for late this summer or early Fall 2024.

Mike Salmon is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.

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Press Release: Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) is working towards an eventual National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) certification for a river crossing bridge and parkway west of I-95, across the Rappahannock River.

This new crossing would provide direct access between Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg and help offer a more reliable transportation network including more north/south routes for local traffic and additional routes for emergency responders, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian users, while reducing everyday reliance of trips accessing the I-95 corridor.

At the May 15th, 2023, FAMPO Policy Committee meeting, the committee reviewed and approved a rough draft Purpose and Need statement for a River Crossing Parkway NEPA Alternatives Study. FAMPO staff, with assistance from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) produced a River Crossing Research Report, which the FAMPO Policy Committee adopted in June 2023. Consultants, Michael Baker International (MBI) were selected to proceed with a River Crossing Parkway Alternatives Study.

In conjunction with FAMPO, MBI is performing this study as a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) alternatives study for the various crossing options. MBI, in conjunction with FAMPO, will conduct an Open House workshop on March 20th 2024, at the VDOT Auditorium located at 86 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405, from 5 pm-7 pm.

This open house is a drop-in style meeting where the community can talk directly with members of the project team about the river crossing options. At the Open House, MBI will present a revised draft Purpose and Need statement, share relevant traffic and environmental data, and the study corridors under development, and solicit public input from the community. The public will be given the opportunity to provide written comments throughout the workshop.

An additional second public meeting will be held in late summer/early fall.

MBI will evaluate the transportation and environmental impacts of alternative alignments within the Project Study Area and will add public input to the transportation and safety needs. Data collection includes assembling existing information, conducting traffic counts and traffic model simulations, and obtaining key stakeholder insights on corridor congestion, safety, public transit, bicycle/pedestrian issues/usage, etc.

In addition, MBI will review project alternatives, comparing environmental and human impacts, costs, and effectiveness. For further information, please email FAMPO at [email protected].

The Rappahannock River Crossing Pathway project is currently in the data-gathering phase, with consultants for the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) immersed in collecting information from jurisdictions and preparing for stakeholder meetings later this month.

Officials are exploring the possibility of building the bridge as an extension of Commerce Parkway, just off Route 17 in south Stafford County. The bridge would cross the Rappahannock River and could connect to Gordon Shelton Boulevard, near Virginia Credit Union Stadium, where the FredNats play.

The project aims to alleviate local street congestion by establishing a new connection between Fredericksburg and Stafford, upstream from existing bridges carrying Interstate 95 over the Rappahannock River.

The project consultants conducted a comprehensive data dive last fall and winter, requesting information on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), utilities, and historical resources from relevant jurisdictions. FAMPO plans to conduct the first stakeholder meeting with county staff and representatives from Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and the Virginia Department of Transportation later this month.

A recent survey indicates that 78% of residents support the project, while concerns linger about potential home disruptions and increased traffic.

Some residents worry about potential impacts on their long-standing homes, while others fear increased traffic and noise in their neighborhoods. Preliminary traffic counts suggest the proposed bridge could accommodate up to 56,000 daily trips. It is estimated to cost $250 million and have a project timeline of four to ten years.

Public meetings and workshops are anticipated, possibly in March or April, as part of the pathway project’s timeline. FAMPO is preparing to release general data to the public in the coming months, keeping stakeholders informed about the progress and developments.

Meanwhile, the Virginia Department of Transportation is in the final stages of improving the I-95 crossing over the Rappahannock River, with a new northbound bridge already opened in December 2022, and work on completing the project is still ongoing.

FAMPO is an organization responsible for regional transportation planning in the Fredericksburg area, which includes Prince William County, Stafford County, Fredericksburg, and surrounding areas in Virginia. FAMPO plays a crucial role in coordinating transportation planning efforts, addressing traffic congestion, and developing strategies to enhance the overall transportation infrastructure in the region.

Editor's note: Meeting reporter Robert Grimes documented this meeting of the FAMPO Policy Committee. I've used the notes to create this story. Click here and learn more about becoming a meeting reporter and our next training session. 

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