Prince William County Executive Christopher Shorter recently unveiled a $2 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, sparking a heated debate among supervisors and residents over the county’s consistent budget surpluses, rising tax rates, and spending priorities.
Under his proposal, the budget maintains the real estate tax rate at 92 cents per $100 assessed value. Yet, due to increased property assessments, the average residential tax bill will rise by $276 to $5,165.
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The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project, ending years of planning and millions of dollars in studies and design work. The decision, which passed with a 5-3 vote, came after a contentious debate over the feasibility and cost of the project.
Initially estimated to cost more than $200 million, the road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County. The plan to build the road, Alternative 2B, was the top recommendation from the 2017 Route 28 Corridor Feasibility Study. The project had received $89 million in funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) as part of a broader effort to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure.
County transportation director Rick Canizales confirmed that the estimated cost had grown beyond available funding, requiring an additional $80–$100 million to proceed. “After taking all this into consideration and doing all the design work that we’ve done at this point, we come to the board and let you know that as staff, we believe that alternative 2B is not viable because we don’t have enough money and we don’t have enough support in some of the challenges we’re facing,” Canizales said.
Fairfax County, a key stakeholder, did not commit to securing right-of-way approvals needed to move the project forward. “We’ve been trying tooth and nail to find an alignment and a price point that would work for this county… But I sit here wondering when that five and a half million dollars becomes $8 million, becomes $10 million, becomes $16 million just to get the project through design,” said Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega, who led the charge to kill the project.
Divided Board, Heated Debate
Supervisors clashed over the decision, with some arguing that the project’s cancellation would leave commuters stranded without a straightforward solution to congestion. Vega, representing the district most impacted by the bypass, was vocal about her opposition to the cancellation. “What are we fighting for? Aside from everything that you stated, I’ll tell you what I’ve been fighting for for the past five years. I’ve been fighting for the people that live in these communities… Do we have a problem on Route 28? Yes, we do. Are we going to do something about it? Yes, we will. Because I gave my word that we would, and I’m a woman of my word, and we’re going to follow through on that,” Vega said.
Others supported the cancellation, citing financial realities and the lack of regional cooperation. Supervisor Bob Weir pointed to Fairfax County’s refusal to support the project, stating, “Is it not correct that Fairfax County, particularly Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, has stalemated us for months, and we have been spinning our wheels?” Canizales confirmed that he had been discussing right-of-way issues with Fairfax officials for nearly three years without progress.
Occoquan Supervisor Kenny Boddye argued that the project had become an unsustainable financial burden, stating, “We have to find a mechanism for giving this project a hundred million more dollars to even say it’s fully funded to continue on with the project. And right now, neither the CIP nor the five-year plan have any kind of plan for that money.”
Woodbridge Supervisor Margaret Franklin acknowledged the lack of viable alternatives but noted that either way, taxpayers would be footing the bill. “I just want to point out that if we’re canceling the project, we’re going to have to pay out-of-pocket likely for another project. And if we keep the project, you’re saying that we still have to come out-of-pocket. So I just want to be clear that either way, we’re coming out-of-pocket,” she said.
Brentsville Supervisor Tom Gordy also frustrated with regional politics, stating, “Regionalism really doesn’t work here. There are those that have, and then there are those that have not. And those that have wanted to continue to hold those of us who have not under their thumb. And this is a perfect example of that.”
Franklin, Angry, and Bailey voted to keep it, while Vega, Gordy, Boddye, and Chair At-large Deshundra Jefferson voted to kill it.
What’s Next for Route 28?
With the cancellation of the bypass, county officials are now looking at alternative solutions to address congestion along Route 28. One option under consideration is widening the existing roadway, though officials acknowledge that this project would also require significant funding and would need to be evaluated by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for regional funding eligibility.
Despite the board’s decision, the county must now negotiate the financial closeout of the project with NVTA, which had allocated $89 million in funding. Approximately $5.9 million of those funds had already been spent on design and environmental studies and will need to be repaid. The remaining funds will return to NVTA’s regional pool, where Prince William County must compete for future transportation funding.
Residents and local business owners who have long relied on Route 28 for their daily commutes remain concerned about what comes next. “Something needs to be done,” said Vega. “I gave my word that we would, and I’m a woman of my word. We’re going to follow through on that.”
The board is expected to discuss alternative plans in upcoming meetings, focusing on securing funding for a new congestion relief strategy.
The Woodbridge District invites residents to join a Community Update Town Hall Meeting hosted by Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin. This virtual event offers an opportunity for residents to stay informed about the latest developments and initiatives in the community.
Details of the Town Hall:
- Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
Residents can participate in the meeting by joining the Zoom session.
Supervisor Franklin will provide important updates and address concerns relevant to the Woodbridge District. Don’t miss this chance to engage with local leadership and stay informed about what’s happening in your community.
As Prince William County grows, officials highlight the need for new water sources to meet future demand. A primary concern is the expansion of data centers, which have become a significant consumer of water.
Calvin Farr, General Manager of Prince William Water, explained the county’s projected water needs: "We have dynamic hydraulic models we look at, really, to see if we can handle the additional growth. And if we don't, we identify capital needs. At that point, we put that in our master plan for capital needs that, you know, that is needed to supply additional growth."
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Prince William County’s Board of Supervisors and School Board members convened at the Kelly Leadership Building to address pressing legislative priorities for 2025. Among the key issues discussed was the urgent need for enhanced authority to mitigate speeding and improve roadway safety throughout the county.
Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry emphasized the ongoing dangers on local roads, including Cardinal Drive, a corridor that has seen multiple fatalities in recent years. He highlighted the limitations of current state-level control over traffic measures, stating, “We need more authority to install speed cameras and implement other speed control measures in non-school and non-construction zones.” Angry also criticized the reliance on fatality thresholds before state agencies, such as the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), prioritize action, calling for more proactive measures to save lives.
Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin echoed these concerns, advocating for increased flexibility at the local level to implement speed mitigation strategies. “VDOT’s standards often don’t reflect the on-the-ground realities of our communities,” she said, pointing to data-driven studies that fail to capture residents’ daily experiences with speeding and unsafe driving.
The meeting also addressed the potential benefits of leveraging modern technology to enhance traffic enforcement. Angry underscored the need to maximize the use of speed-monitoring devices, noting that police officers, while crucial, cannot address every issue. “We live in a technology age—why aren’t we doing more to use it to our advantage?” he asked.
In addition to seeking legislative changes, county officials stressed the importance of addressing these challenges comprehensively by improving local partnerships with VDOT and other transportation entities. They also emphasized the need for sustainable funding to support regional transportation initiatives, including the OmniRide bus system, a critical link for residents across the county’s 348 square miles.
The Virginia General Assembly is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, and adjourn on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
In February 2024, the Prince William County Department of Transportation announced that it would launch an Automated Traffic Enforcement Pilot Program in February to enhance safety in school zones. The initiative aims to reduce severe injuries and fatalities on county roads by using automated enforcement measures.
The program would initially target school zones at Battlefield High School, Woodbridge High School, Old Bridge Elementary School, Fitzgerald Elementary School, Patriot High School, and T. Clay Wood Elementary School. During the first 30 days, violators will receive warnings for speeding in active school zones.
Following this grace period, speeding drivers will face a $100 fine, although citations will not affect driving records, demerit points, or insurance premiums.
On November 19, 2024, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved the extension of Marina Way in Woodbridge. The long-awaited project will create a new road connecting Horner Road to the Occoquan Riverfront, transforming access to the area and marking a significant milestone in the redevelopment of North Woodbridge.
A Road Through History
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Prince William County officials celebrated a milestone today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new six-level parking garage in Woodbridge.
The $53.5 million Potomac/Neabsco Mills Commuter Garage, designed to serve as a park-and-ride hub, represents a significant investment in the region’s transportation infrastructure and is a step toward meeting the growing demands of residents and commuters.
The garage, located just off Opitz Boulevard near the Interstate 95 E-ZPass Express Lanes, opened one day after a new ramp providing direct access from Opitz Boulevard to the express lanes was inaugurated. The garage’s strategic location provides easy access to highways and toll lanes, aiming to alleviate congestion at the nearby Route 1/Route 234 Park and Ride Lot.
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At the October 15, 2024, Prince William Board of County Supervisors meeting, pressing housing issues took center stage as the county faces an unprecedented demand for emergency housing assistance and a growing crisis of affordability for senior citizens.
The county’s Emergency Housing Assistance Program received an overwhelming number of applications in just one week, with over 500 households seeking support. Joan Duckett, Director of the Office of Housing, reported that this surge in applications reflects the mounting challenges faced by low-income and at-risk populations, including those threatened with homelessness. This rapid influx underscores the urgency of the housing crisis in Prince William, where increasing rent prices have made stable housing out of reach for many residents.
Duckett mentioned that while federal funding has helped provide rental assistance, the demand far exceeds available resources. The board discussed the potential for increased local funding to help bridge the gap for families struggling with eviction or foreclosure. Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin highlighted the need for collaboration with state programs to expand access to emergency rental assistance.
“We’re facing a tough situation,” Duckett explained. “Stable housing is essential for the health and well-being of families, but the rising cost of living, particularly for seniors, is forcing many into precarious positions.”
Rising Rents and Affordable Housing for Senior Citizens
The meeting also discussed the rising rent burden on Prince William County’s senior citizens. With a growing elderly population on fixed incomes, many older adults are finding themselves priced out of their homes, unable to meet the rising costs imposed by new management companies and increased rental rates.
The board discussed potential solutions, including developing an Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance and establishing a housing trust fund. These measures could incentivize developers to include affordable housing in new projects and provide additional funding for low-income and senior residents.
Brentsville District Supervisor Tom Gordy raised concerns about the lack of affordable rental units for seniors, emphasizing that many have lived in the same homes for years and find moving difficult, especially with limited housing options that cater to their needs.
Duckett also highlighted the challenges faced by the elderly population in the county’s housing market, noting that “many seniors are living on Social Security, and they simply can’t keep up with the rising rent prices.”
The Board of Supervisors is expected to review the proposed ADU ordinance and housing trust fund in future meetings, focusing on how these measures could alleviate pressure on vulnerable populations, particularly seniors.
Prince William County residents are invited to attend a Multi-District Town Hall on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 7 p.m. Supervisors Yesli Vega, Tom Gordy, and Bob Weir of the Coles, Brentsville, and Gainesville districts will lead a discussion on community safety and the proposed Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance.
The event, which will occur at Unity Reed High School near Manassas, is designed to allow residents to voice their concerns, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of the proposed ordinance.
