Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega has issued a directive to widen Route 28 from four to six lanes between the Manassas City Line and the Fairfax County Line, marking a significant shift in the county's approach to alleviating traffic congestion. Vega's directive follows the Board of County Supervisors' recent vote to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project.
The directive to widen the roughly three-mile stretch of roadway has been assigned to the Department of Transportation and Planning, which oversees the project's development. The corridor is lined with businesses on each side, and the widening will require crews to relocate utilities and likely the purchase of commercial properties to accommodate the wider lanes.
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Prince William County's ambitious $300 million Route 28 Bypass project is dead.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted to cancel the long-debated road expansion earlier this week, leaving county officials to determine the next steps in addressing traffic congestion along one of the region’s most vital corridors.
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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.
Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega is pushing to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass project, a multi-year effort designed to alleviate congestion on Route 28 by extending Godwin Drive to connect Manassas with Dulles Airport. The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is set to vote on her resolution during its meeting on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
A Project Years in the Making
The project, initially endorsed in September 2020, was meant to relieve congestion on Route 28 by constructing a four-lane divided bypass extending Godwin Drive across Sudley Road. The road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County.
The selected plan, known as 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.
However, as development progressed, the county encountered significant obstacles, including:
- Difficulty in acquiring land inside and outside Prince William County, leading to potential legal disputes over property condemnation.
- Environmental, utility, and historic preservation concerns complicated construction.
- High costs and engineering challenges, particularly regarding bridge and retaining wall designs.
In October 2023, the county attempted to salvage the project by exploring Modified Alternative 2A, a version that would have followed the same route but turned east to rejoin Route 28 south of Bull Run. While this alternative kept the project within Prince William County’s jurisdiction, it ultimately proved even more expensive and disruptive, failing to deliver the intended benefits.
Why Cancel the Project?
Supervisor Vega and other proponents of cancellation argue that continuing the Route 28 Bypass is no longer a viable solution. The county’s transportation staff has recommended ending the project, citing mounting financial and logistical barriers.
The $89 million in funding allocated from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for the bypass has already seen over $6.5 million spent on planning and early development. If the project is canceled, there is a possibility that NVTA may request repayment of its reimbursements with interest, requiring further financial negotiations.
Vega specifically cited concerns about the impact on working-class communities along the proposed bypass route, stating:
“The Loch-Lomond and Yorkshire neighborhoods in addition to the Bull Run Trailer Park lay right along the proposed alignment for the bypass. These are very working-class neighborhoods with significant Hispanic and minority populations where the average home value is not even half the county average in many instances.”
She also emphasized the human cost of the project, adding:
“With little consideration for residents, over 70+ homes in the Coles District would be affected, displacing families from their homes and forcing taxpayers to fund millions of dollars for a project that does not solve the problem of 28 being less congested than it is today. This is why I have opposed the Route 28 Bypass Project.”
Supporters of Vega’s resolution believe canceling the bypass will:
- Open the door for alternative congestion relief solutions
- Avoid further disruptions to homeowners and environmentally sensitive areas
- Provide flexibility in reallocating remaining funds toward cost-effective, innovative transportation projects
What’s at Stake?
Opponents argue that without the bypass, congestion on Route 28 will continue to worsen, particularly for commuters traveling between Manassas, Centreville, and Dulles. Local businesses that rely on efficient transportation networks may also feel the strain if alternative solutions are not identified quickly.
Moreover, residents along Route 28 have long expressed frustration with traffic bottlenecks. Many supported the project when it was included in the 2019 Mobility Bond Referendum, raising concerns that abandoning it now might betray voter expectations.
What Comes Next?
If the board votes to cancel the project, county transportation officials will begin exploring other congestion relief measures, though no concrete alternatives have been proposed yet. Discussions will likely center around enhanced public transit options, road widening initiatives, and improved traffic signal coordination.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors meets at 2 p.m. at the Prince William County Government Center, 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge.
“The Route 28 Bypass Project is a major regional transportation project administered by Prince William County. While I acknowledge and appreciate all the planning, design, engineering, and community engagement that has occurred across multiple jurisdictions, I no longer have confidence the project is viable or maintains the necessary support to move forward,” Vega stated.
The proposed resolution, presented at an upcoming board meeting, aims to allow the board to deliberate openly and determine the next steps for the controversial project.
The Route 28 Bypass Project was conceived to address severe traffic congestion along the Route 28 corridor, which would Prince William County to Fairfax County, via a four-mile extension of Godwin Drive. The project would affect about 70 homes along Flat Branch Creek, which aims to link Godwin’s terminus, Sudley Road (Route 234 business), near the UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, to Route 28 in Fairfax County. The project has been in the design and engineering phases for at least four years, with substantial investments in planning and community outreach.
The project was included in a county bond referendum approved by voters, which adds another layer of complexity to discussions about its potential cancellation.
Concerns and Uncertainty
Vega’s comments reflect growing skepticism about the feasibility and community support for the bypass. She highlighted the conflicting information circulating about the project and called for greater clarity.
“There are a lot of conversations going on, a lot of he-said-she-said, and I know there are outside groups who have been pushing for this project for years,” said Vega, who represents homeowners that would be affected by the new roadway. “I definitely think that having an open and transparent discussion is critical.”
Other supervisors echoed the need for clarity and public engagement. Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry noted that stakeholders, including Manassas and Manassas Park cities, are also partners in the project. Supervisor Kenny Boddye emphasized the importance of a public discussion, given that voters initially approved the project through a bond referendum.
“This project needs transparency and input from everyone involved. The community deserves an open discussion about whether we move forward or close it out,” Boddye said.
County staff, led by Director of Transportation Rick Canizales, will prepare the resolution and provide additional information about the project’s current status. Supervisors have requested input from all stakeholders, including neighboring jurisdictions and regional partners.
Discussions will also address past collaboration between jurisdictions. Vega and other supervisors questioned whether an executive committee previously tasked with overseeing the project had been active in recent years, potentially contributing to the lack of coordination.
Canceling the Route 28 Bypass Project would likely have significant implications for traffic management and development in Prince William County. Supporters argue that the bypass is essential to alleviating congestion and improving connectivity. Opponents, however, have raised concerns about environmental impacts, community displacement, and the project’s overall cost.
The board’s upcoming discussion on the resolution will serve as a critical juncture for the project, offering supervisors and the public an opportunity to weigh its future.
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We’re back with another episode of the Potomac Local Podcast, where we connect our communities one story at a time. In this episode, Uriah Kiser, founder of Potomac Local News, sits down with Deshundra Jefferson, Chair At-large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, to discuss critical issues facing Prince William County.
Chair Jefferson made history on January 1, 2024, as the first Black person elected to this role. Her journey—from a single mother saving for homeownership to a community leader—informs her commitment to tackling the affordable housing crisis, workforce housing solutions, and planning for future infrastructure needs.
Key Topics Discussed:
- The proposed Affordable Housing Dwelling Unit Ordinance and its impact on residents and local workers like teachers, police, and firefighters.
- Balancing affordable housing with school capacity concerns and infrastructure development in growing areas like Brentsville.
- The ongoing debate over the Bi-County Parkway extension to ease congestion on Route 28.
- Chair Jefferson’s favorite local restaurants—from the western side of the county to the east.
Jefferson also shares her vision for ensuring Prince William County residents can live where they work. This focus prioritizes local families and community safety: “We have cost-burdened households spending more than 30% of their income on housing. We need solutions now, said Chair Deshundra Jefferson
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Residents living near a proposed Route 28 bypass near Manassas express a loss of trust in the county government's decision-making process. Initially, the county voted against the $300 million, four-lane, four-mile road extension of Godwin Drive, only to reverse its stance shortly after that.
Business groups like the Prince William Chamber of Commerce support the bypass, saying its key to unclogging traffic congestion on Route 28, one of the region's busiest roads.
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The Prince William County Department of Transportation and the Prince William County Planning Office are gathering public input for a multimodal corridor study on Route 28 in the Yorkshire area.
This study, funded by an $80,000 grant from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Transportation Planning Board, explores cost-effective alternatives to enhance multimodal travel options over a two-mile stretch of Route 28.
A survey is available on the Yorkshire Multimodal Corridor Study page to facilitate public participation. According to the county government, the survey is crucial for the study’s development and will remain open until February 29, 2024. An open house is scheduled for February 15, 2024, at Yorkshire Elementary School, 7610 Old Centreville Road, Manassas, at 6:30 p.m.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors County 2040 Comprehensive Plan, adopted by the Board of County, designated Yorkshire as an activity center when it approved its most recent comprehensive land-use plan in 2022.
Meanwhile, the county government is also considering constructing a four-mile Route 28 bypass, an extension of Godwin Drive, from UVA Prince William Medical Center in Manassas to Route 28 in Fairfax County.
Last fall, the Board of County Supervisors sunk an additional $1 million for the bypass project’s redesign. Transportation Director Rick Canizales raised uncertainties about Fairfax County’s commitment to the $300 million project.
Potential challenges include demolishing six homes in Fairfax County and 70 homes in Prince William County. Canizales told Prince William’s Supervisors in October 2023 that concerns have been raised about political hesitation for the project during an election year in Fairfax County. The bypass, discussed for over a decade, remains scrutinized for its future viability.
In 2020, the Board of County Supervisors unanimously decided to widen a nearly four-mile stretch of Route 28 in Yorkshire, between Liberia Avenue in Manassas and the Fairfax County line instead of building the bypass. The project had been estimated to cost about $400 million.
However, one month later, the Board overturned its decision in a 5-3 decision along party lines, with Democrats voting in favor, prompting a return to the Godwin Drive extension (Route 28 bypass). Former Chair At-large Ann Wheeler pushed for reconsideration and expressed support for the Godwin Drive extension and a future bi-county parkway connecting Interstate 95 in Dumfries to Dulles Airport in Loudoun County.
However, an $89 million funding allocation for the Godwin Drive extension faced potential withdrawal by Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Chair Phyllis Randall, who also serves as Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair At-large.
“I’m not going to allow this [funding] to be unappropriated for months and months,” Randall scolded during September 8, 2020, Board of County Superviosrs meeting, in which she and a delegation from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority lined up to speak the board members, most of whom were just nine months on the job. “I will put forth a motion to disappropriate the project altogether.”
The threat also prompted a shift in support from the Manassas City Council, ensuring endorsement of the Godwin Drive extension two months after it initially voted to pull support for the bypass.Â
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Prince William County will sink an additional $1 million into a Route 28 bypass project to redesign a road, allowing drivers from the western part of the county and Fauquier County to bypass Manassas and Manassas Park and get into Fairfax County sooner.
The move comes after Prince William County Transportation Director Rick Canizlaes said he's uncertain about the $300 million project's future, telling county leaders that elected officials in Fairfax County could back out of the deal.
