In response to citizens' concerns, U.S. Congressman Frank Wolf and Va. Del. Tim Hugo have taken their fight against the Bi-County Parkway to Richmond.
Congressman Frank R. Wolf (R) of the 10th District, Virginia, sent a letter to Governor Bob McDonnell (R) Tuesday, sharing his reservations about progress made toward approving the North-South Corridor, otherwise known as the Bi-County or Tri-County Parkway.
“As you might expect, I am hearing from all sides on this issue, including Prince William and Loudoun county residents, the business community, developers, conservationists groups and local and state elected officials,” Wolf said in his letter.
Wolf expressed his concern that the approval process is progressing too rapidly, given that there are many questions and concerns that residents and elected officials have about the expressway and its bypass around the Manassas Battlefield.
“I am concerned that this project now seems to be on a “fast track” and many of my constituents are frustrated that they are not getting a fair hearing, particularly those residents who live near Routes 234 and 29 and on nearby side roads,” Wolf wrote.
Wolf listed his concerns, which include “a lack of transparency,” “the opening of the “Rural Crescent” to development,” “plans to potentially close Routes 234 and 29 before the bypass around the park is completed,” “the closing off of Pageland Lane,” “discussion of the North-South Corridor being a toll road” and “claims that the North-South Corridor project will help increase cargo at Dulles airport.”
Wolf said he has led efforts in preserving the Manassas Battlefield against commercial development and the installation of power lines and notes that at times, it was the same Catharpin citizens, such as Page Snyder and her late mother, Annie Snyder, who have fought to protect the battlefield land over the years.
He asked that the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), which is meeting Wednesday, May 15, to create a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed project and then compare the results to other proposed congestion-relief projects in the region, “particularly any projects planned on I-66.”
He also asked that they delay decisions until all alternative routes are examined and citizens are able to voice their concerns.
Meanwhile, Del. Tim Hugo (R) of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 40th District, plans to speak in Richmond, Wednesday, May 15,,following the meeting of the CTB, against the Bi-County Parkway.
Hugo has previously met with the Catharpin citizens involved in the “Just Say No to the Tri-County Parkway” campaign, spoke at their town hall meeting in Haymarket and demonstrated with them along Route 29 next to the Manassas Battlefield.
Bristow Beat is in contact with Hugo’s office and plans to update the public with more information on his speech.
In response to questions posed by Bristow Beat, Transportation and Land Use Director Maria Sinner for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has said that the Bi-County Parkway is still in the environmental impact and location study phase and has not yet been funded. She also said that roads would not be closed until alternate roads were opened.
Chairman At-large for the Board of County Supervisors, Corey Stewart (R), and Brentsville District Supervisor Wally Covington (R) are both in favor of the North-South Corridor. However, both had said they would like to see that access to neighborhood roads remains open for residents of Catharpin along Pageland Road and Saunders Lane.
You can read the full letter by Congressman Wolf to Gov. McDonnell here.
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