Feds to give PWC $10 million+ for critical infrastructure and community support projects

More than $10 million for six Prince William County critical infrastructure and community support projects was included in the federal Omnibus budget package signed by President Biden. The recently adopted federal budget included funding for these Prince William County projects:

• Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and Congressman Gerry Connolly secured $4 million towards further development and construction of the North Woodbridge Pedestrian Bridge. This project will provide an active transit connection to rail and bus transit at the Woodbridge VRE Station to further the local goal of establishing a connected multimodal network. Separating pedestrian travel from Route 1 will improve pedestrian safety, encourage greater transit use and facilitate economic development in North Woodbridge.

The project supports improved operations on Route 1, leveraging the substantial local, regional, state and federal investments that have been made in Route 1 widening projects to preserve capacity on this corridor. Additionally, the pedestrian bridge will connect existing and planned segments of the Congressionally designated Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, which serves the federal Occoquan National Wildlife Refuge in North Woodbridge and connects this area to Fairfax County and the Town of Occoquan.

• Senators Kaine and Warner and Congressman Connolly secured $2 million for the Homeless Navigation Center-East project, which will provide overnight, temporary, emergency sheltering and wrap-around services for adults experiencing homelessness. The new facility, which will be located in eastern PWC, will provide for increased cooperation and coordination between community partners to address individuals’ needs, thereby decreasing the number of people experiencing homelessness. This project is part of the county’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

• Senators Kaine and Warner and Congressman Connolly successfully secured $2 million for the Prince William Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Center (CRSC). This funding will go towards building a regional crisis receiving and stabilization center that would provide 16 23-hour observation recliners and 16 crisis stabilization beds for adults, as well as eight 23-hour observation recliners and eight crisis stabilization beds for youth experiencing behavioral crises. The CRSC will increase capacity and access for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, thereby reducing time to treatment. This project is part of the county’s CIP.

• Senators Warner and Kaine also secured nearly $1.9 million for the county’s Lake Jackson Dam Rehabilitation project—by creating a uniform concrete spillway to alleviate current maintenance and safety hazards associated with the nearly 100-year-old dam.

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton secured $580,000 for engineering the roundabout at Rollins Ford Road and Estate Manor Drive. The project will address identified safety needs by reducing pedestrian crossing distances and improving refuge areas, improving the safety of turning movements from/to Estate Manor Drive and controlling/reducing speeds along Rollins Ford Road.

Congresswoman Wexton also secured $160,000 for the Town of Haymarket to assess its current stormwater systems and develop a preliminary plan and cost estimate for improvements needed to meet current stormwater infrastructure standards. This project would provide necessary information to the town to plan and seek additional funding sources to upgrade existing systems to reduce drainage problems and potential flooding.

“I was fortunate to represent Prince William County in Congress for 14 years, forging a strong federal and local government partnership. Throughout my tenure, we saw a growing and diverse population, successful economic development and an expanding workforce,” said Congressman Connolly. “These investments will continue to move Prince William County in the right direction, ensuring we are being proactive and mindful about the investments we are making in the community we are proud to serve.”

“I’m proud to have helped secure federal funding for local projects in Prince William County,” said Senator Kaine.“These federal dollars are going to make a big difference for Virginians. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts these projects will have for the community.”

“The funding will help to boost economic and community development – making the lives of every Virginian a little easier,” said Senator Warner.

“I’m proud that through my work on the Appropriations Committee, I’ve delivered substantial funding for key local projects that will benefit the Prince William community,” said Rep. Wexton. “This federal support will make it possible to improve pedestrian and driver safety at a key intersection along Rollins Ford Road as well as address stormwater management needs in Haymarket. I’m eager to see federal resources make an impact in Prince William County and look forward to working closely with local leaders to make the most of these crucial investments.”