Northern Virginia VRE train traveling from Manassas and Prince William towards Washington, D.C.The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority awarded Prince William County a $1.5 million grant to study the feasibility of bringing the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) to Gainesville and Haymarket.
According to Marty Nohe (R), Coles District Supervisor and Chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA),”The study will investigate the cost to upgrade tracks and build the new station. It will then determine whether the need for a new station in western Prince William justifies those expenditures."
Nohe said it will likely be a long process, but the good news is that it is beginning this year. He expects the final report to be revealed at the beginning of 2016. At that point, the Federal Transportation Authority (FTA), The Department of Rail and Public Transit for the Commonwealth of Virginia, VRE and Prince William County residents will receive opportunities to provide their input.
Nohe is hopeful that the VRE extension will happen, noting it is necessary to take more commuters “off the roads and more people onto the VRE every single day.”
Other upcoming Prince William County transportation projects include the widening of route 1, the Route 28 project in Bristow/Nokesville, and commuter bus service to Gainesville via the Potomac Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC). These projects are being funding by the NVTA, which provided Prince William County with $33 million dollars derived mainly from regional sales tax.
Residents can watch a youtube video about the VRE report created by Prince William County government.
Support Bristow Beat - Donate Today!