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.

Prince William County could soon be home to a new inline hockey rink at the Hylton Boys and Girls Club in Dale City, following an in-depth discussion by the Board of County Supervisors during their December 17, 2024, meeting. The facility results from a partnership between the Boys and Girls Club, Prince William Ice Center, the Washington Capitals, and George Mason University.

Seth Hendler-Voss, the county’s Director of Parks and Recreation, introduced the project, describing it as “an exciting partnership opportunity to bring a new recreation amenity to Prince William County.” He outlined the proposed location and the collaboration required to make the rink a reality.

“The proposed terms of the project are as follows, and these are just in draft form,” Hendler-Voss explained. “The rink, when constructed, will be made available for the Hylton Boys and Girls Club participants, Ice Center patrons, and the general public.”

Hendler-Voss highlighted that the Ice Center, located next to the Boys and Girls Club on Dale Boulevard in Dale City, would operate and maintain the rink, ensuring no operating impact on the county, except for an estimated $10,000 increase in insurance premiums. He also noted that under the current lease, the Boys and Girls Club would need to amend its agreement with the county to allow construction on the property.

“We’re recommending that you allow us to set a public hearing for this lease amendment, which we will bring back to you after the new year,” Hendler-Voss said. “If approved, we hope to break ground in the spring or summer and cut the ribbon in the fall.”

Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Wier raised concerns about the clarity of the agreement, particularly regarding public access and operational responsibilities.

“I think before the public hearing, we need to clean up a couple of things,” Weir said. “In the resolution, it says the Ice Center will operate and maintain the rink and assume liability, but in the lease agreement, it says the landlord or tenant agrees that the landlord — us — and/or the Prince William Ice Center and their employees and contractors shall maintain, operate, program, and manage the rink. I’d like those two things to jive.”

He also pointed out ambiguities about guarantees of public access, citing conflicting language in the agreement.

“It doesn’t seem like there’s any guarantee of public access at least by that language,” Weir noted. “If we could just get this all cleaned up before the public hearing, that would be really nice.”

Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey echoed Weir’s concerns and asked for more details about programming opportunities for the Boys and Girls Club.

“We are going to, of course, allow the Boys and Girls Club leagues to have dedicated access to that rink and for their programs,” Hendler-Voss responded. “The Ice Center has offered to help conduct those programs, teaching participants how to play hockey and skate.”

Chair At-large DeShundra Jefferson also raised a concern about facility security, particularly regarding the locking of the rink.

“It says [locking the facility] shall be permitted,” Jefferson said. “I wonder if there’s any objection to [requiring] it to be locked during non-operating hours since the county will have liabilities there.”

Hendler-Voss assured the board that the matter would be addressed.

Supervisor Angry strongly supported the project, highlighting its potential to revitalize an underutilized field and rekindle a partnership between the Boys and Girls Club and the Ice Center. “This came to my desk about eight months ago,” Angry said. “I’m excited about this because we continue talking about creating opportunities for our youth, which we clearly have created here.”

He praised the Washington Capitals for their involvement and emphasized the importance of the initiative.

“Now we have this opportunity to create [the partnership] again,” Angry said. “I think [it] is invaluable, is impressive, and speaking for the board, I’m honored that Prince William County gets to be a part of this.”

The Board unanimously voted to authorize a public hearing on the lease amendment, which will take place in early 2025. If approved, construction could begin by spring, with the rink opening in the fall of 2025.

“This is just the beginning,” Angry said. “We’re putting this before the public and bringing it back to this board to hopefully get it done.”

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.

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.

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Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part story focused on Prince William Board of County Supervisor At-large Deshundra Jefferson's first 100 days in office. Read part one here.

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Prince William County’s Board of Supervisors easily approved the fiscal year 2025 budget with a few changes on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, to take effect on July 1.

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VPAP: Democrat Victor Angry has narrowly defeated his primary opponent challenger Nate Murphy by two points.

Angry seeks a second term on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, representing the Neabsco District. As of today, he has no Republican opponents.

Angry has served on the Board of County Supervisors since 2019, when he won a special election to replace John D. Jenkins, the longest-serving supervisor in county history, after his death in February of that year.

A total of 3,740 ballots were cast in today’s primary.