As Stafford County leaders push forward with plans for a Western Road Network to relieve congestion west of Interstate 95, tensions continue to rise over the future of a proposed Rappahannock River crossing. Discussions at the Stafford Board of Supervisors and Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) meetings reveal deep divisions over tackling regional transportation challenges, infrastructure expansion, and funding concerns.

While Stafford officials champion a north-south corridor west of I-95, officials in Fredericksburg remain focused on a new river crossing, though disagreements persist over its location, cost, and environmental impact.

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On November 19, 2024, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously (7-0) to adopt the 2024 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) as an appendix to the county’s Comprehensive Plan. This update lays the foundation for long-term transportation improvements, addressing existing and future needs through a strategic, phased approach.

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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.

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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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.

Virginia State Police: “Virginia State Police is investigating a crash involving a train in Stafford County. The crash occurred Sunday (Oct. 1), at 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Route 658 (Brent Point Rd) and Route 633 (Arkendale Rd).”

“A 2020 Toyota RAV4 was traveling east on Route 658 when it inadvertently turned onto a private section of train tracks. As the Toyota attempted to turn around and exit the tracks it was struck by a southbound Amtrak train. The railroad crossing arms descended as the Toyota attempted to exit the tracks.”

“The driver of the Toyota, Miaha S. Jacob, 27, of Chantilly, VA, was flown to INOVA Fairfax Hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. She was wearing a seatbelt.”

“There were no reported injuries on the Amtrak train. No charges have been placed at this time as the crash remains under investigation.”

VDOT Fredericksburg: “Route 17 and Route 17 Business (Warrenton Road) travelers in Stafford County will encounter overnight delays for several weeks in June near the Interstate 95 interchange at exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton).”

“Crews will be placing beams over the travel lanes for a new I-95 overpass. The overpass will carry the future local lanes of I-95 northbound as part of the Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing.”

“Traffic on Route 17 and Route 17 Business will be stopped intermittently for up to 30-minute intervals while beams are being moved into position and secured. Lane closures and traffic stops have been scheduled at the following dates and times, beginning on the evening of Monday, June 5:”