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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The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) has announced a sustained increase in ridership through August 2024, reflecting a growing reliance on public transit amid various operational challenges, including service reductions and fare adjustments.
In August 2024, PRTC experienced an average daily ridership of 2,753 passengers, a 22% increase compared to last year. This rise comes despite significant service cuts implemented at the end of July and a $2 fare increase at the start of the month. Even a tropical storm at the beginning of August failed to significantly deter passengers, underscoring the essential role of PRTC in the daily lives of many in the region, said OmniRide CEO Dr. Robert A. "Bob" Schneider.
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Updated 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 -- In a significant shift aimed at enhancing commuter services along the I-66 corridor, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) has approved a plan to introduce new state-funded bus routes and eliminate the underused Gainesville-Reston commuter bus route 618. This decision comes after thorough studies identified the need for expanded services and better resource utilization.
The new routes, proposed to serve Front Royal and Warrenton, are designed to support the recently expanded I-66 express lanes and introduce new commuting options for residents. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Long-Distance Commuter Bus Study and the Shenandoah County Public Transit Feasibility Study identified these routes as necessary.
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“The fall 2024 opening date for the 95 Express Lanes Opitz Boulevard ramp was communicated to stakeholders in an update sent earlier this summer and reflects the contractor’s current schedule,” said Jacqueline Woodbridge, a spokeswoman for Transurban. She noted that the delay resulted from a shift in the contractor’s schedule, which can be affected by various factors, including weather conditions.
Potomac Local News has received emails from frustrated drivers who live near the work zone.
I reside nearby the project being built that will connect Opitz boulevard to the I-95 express lane boondoggle. I am not happy to learn that this ramp which was originally supposed to open in July is now supposed to open in November.
I am sick and tired of the disruption and the lack of transparency and the delays. My neighbors are as well.
Woodbridge acknowledged the frustration caused by construction-related congestion and delays but emphasized the new ramp’s benefits. “We are looking forward to providing faster, more reliable trips on the Express Lanes for southern Prince William County this November,” she said.
The Opitz Boulevard ramp is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the transportation infrastructure in the area. We’ve been reporting on a $53 million parking garage set to open near the new ramp behind Wegmans grocery store at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center. The garage opening is also delayed but is now slated to occur in October.
The 1,400-parking-space garage will become a transit hub for eastern Prince William County. OmniRide will shift its bus operations from its nearby headquarters on Telegraph Road to the garage, and riders will use the garage instead of the transit center’s headquarters building as a transfer point.
From the latest Transurban shareholder report:
North America Toll Revenue and Infrastructure Developments
In FY24, North America’s toll revenue showed significant growth, increasing by 8.7% to $252 million. Traffic across the region also rose by 5.5%, contributing to this revenue growth. The EBITDA margin for the North American market reached 66.9%.
Greater Washington Area Infrastructure Updates
Several key infrastructure projects were highlighted in the Greater Washington Area:
Fredericksburg Extension: The construction of the Fredericksburg Extension was completed, following the opening of the roadway in August 2023. Additional access points are set to open in December 2023. This project extended the two-lane reversible facility by approximately 16 kilometers, making the 95 Express Lanes the longest reversible road in the United States.
495 NEXT Project: Construction activity on the 495 NEXT project has intensified, with work on roadways, bridges, and walls now 50% complete. The project is scheduled for completion and opening in December 2025.
Opitz Boulevard Project: This project is expected to open in November 2024. It will provide Express Lanes access to residential and commercial areas, as well as to a major hospital and medical center.
Bi-Directional Travel on 95 Express Lanes: Discussions with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are ongoing regarding the addition of bi-directional travel on a segment of the 95 Express Lanes. Design planning for this initiative is currently underway.
Greater Montreal Area Highlights
Electric Vehicle Traffic: Electric vehicle traffic in the Greater Montreal Area increased from 11.7% to 15.6% of total traffic. The Quebec government has extended the free toll program for electric vehicles until April 2027.
Community Contributions
The company made its fifth annual contribution to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission’s Commuter Choice Program, bringing total investments in transit projects to nearly $80 million. These investments have supported the development of bus lines, park-and-ride lots, and commuter rail improvements throughout the 95 Express Lanes corridor.
Future Market Opportunities
Looking ahead, the company is assessing several market opportunities:
Bi-Directional Travel on 95 Express Lanes: Feasibility assessments are ongoing for adding bi-directional travel on a segment of the 95 Express Lanes. Currently, the lanes operate northbound in the morning and southbound in the evening on weekdays.
495 Express Lanes Southern Extension: VDOT is evaluating the 495 Express Lanes Southern Extension, with the environmental analysis expected to conclude by late 2024. A Federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision is anticipated by then, with potential inclusion in the region’s transportation plan by late 2025.
OmniRide will implement a service change on Monday, July 29, 2o24, which includes schedule adjustments, fare increases, and route alterations.
Notable changes include the combination and elimination of some routes, the introduction of new timetables, and updated routing for various Express, Metro Express, and Local routes. The OmniRide Express base fare also increased from $9 to $11 each way. Read More
OmniRide’s Service Change will take effect on Monday, July 29. Schedules for Express, Metro Express, and Local routes will change on that date.
OmniRide has reported ridership changes for its Express and Local bus services for May 2024.
OmniRide Express, which provides commuter bus services from Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties to the Pentagon and Washington, D.C., saw its average daily ridership increase by less than one percent in May compared to April. This indicates a stable ridership pattern, with no significant changes observed over the month.
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On June 10, 2024, OmniRide will implement changes to the Local bus service in eastern Prince William County.
The restructuring aims to expand the service footprint, introduce new destinations, and enhance efficiency. The updated service will no longer include off-route trips and on-demand stops. Instead, OmniRide will launch the OmniRide Access paratransit service for residents with disabilities. This service will operate within Âľ-mile of all Local bus routes and requires rider registration.
Changes by Route:
– Dumfries: New routing serving new destinations.
– Route 1: New routing.
– Dumfries Connector: New route connecting Route 1 corridor with the OmniRide Transit Center.
– Dale City: New routing serving new destinations.
– Lake Ridge: New routing covering part of the old Woodbridge/Lake Ridge route and serving new destinations.
– Woodbridge: New routing covering part of the old Woodbridge/Lake Ridge route and serving new destinations.
– Lake Ridge Connector: New route connecting Tackett’s Mill with the Rippon VRE Station.
OmniRide paratransit will serve riders with disabilities in the eastern Prince William service area who previously relied on off-route trips on Local buses.
OmniRide, the leading public transit provider for Northern Virginia, is poised to expand its services to new regions, pending final budget approvals. Bob Schneider, CEO of OmniRide, shared the plans in a recent interview, highlighting the organization's efforts to connect more communities along expanding transit corridors.
OmniRide has submitted a budget amendment and several grant applications to the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). Once approved, the transit provider can extend its operations beyond Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties. "This allows us to partner with any planning district, county, or municipality to operate services," Schneider explained. The amendment would enable OmniRide to offer transit solutions in areas like Warrenton and Front Royal, significantly expanding its reach.
