Wolf presses governor to ask for delay in action on battlefield bypass proposal

Saying that the case has not been made for the North-South Corridor project, Rep. Frank Wolf (VA-10th) today, May 14, requested Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell ask the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to delay making any decisions on the North-South Corridor, a road connecting Loudoun and Prince William counties, according to a news release. The CTB meets tomorrow, May 15.

In a letter to McDonnell, Wolf said he was concerned that plans to go forward with the project are on a “fast track” and that residents in the region need to learn more about the project.  He said thousands of new residents have moved to the area in recent years and may not know the details of the proposed road.

He also asked McDonnell to request a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed project to examine the cost versus any expected congestion relief and compare it to other proposed congestion relief projects in the area, especially those planned on I-66.

Wolf said he has heard from people on all sides of the issue, including residents near VA Rt. 234 and US Rt. 29, the business community, developers, conservationist groups and local and state elected officials.  The “Northern Virginia North-South Corridor Master Plan” is due to be discussed at the CTB meeting tomorrow, May 15.

The Northern Virginia North-South Corridor has also been called the Outer Beltway, Battlefield Bypass and Tri-County Parkway,

Wolf’s 1988 language in a federal bill to preserve 600 acres near Manassas National Battlefield Park threatened by development also addressed the possible construction of a bypass around the park, which could lead to the closure of Routes 234 and 29 in the park.  He said it did not envision a connector road between counties.

Wolf highlighted his “serious reservations” about the North-South Corridor project in his letter to McDonnell, including:

• A lack of transparency about the project plans: “Thousands of people have moved to Prince William and Loudoun counties since the project’s master plan was approved in 2005,” Wolf said.  “More public hearings must be held and more citizen input must be received before any final decision is made about the North-South Corridor.”

• The opening of the “Rural Crescent to development: “The North-South Corridor project would most likely lead to more development and increased infrastructure costs in the western parts of Prince William County designated as rural under the country’s 1998 comprehensive plan,” Wolf said.  “[M]any people moved there because of the protections put in place in 1998.”

• Plans to potentially close Routes 234 and 29 before the bypass around the park is completed: “Again, the purpose of my bill was to protect the battlefield’s historic properties and close Routes 234 and 29 to thru-traffic only upon completion of the bypass around the park, NOT lead to a connector road between counties,” Wolf said.

• The closing of Pageland Lane: “I understand that as many as 100 properties could be affected if access on Pageland Lane is closed or limited,” Wolf said.  “It is noteworthy that many of the people who live on Pageland Lane have been some of the strongest advocates of protecting the park through the years.”

• Discussion of the North-South Corridor being a toll road: “Should a North-South Corridor ever be built and have tolled express lanes, it would mean four toll roads in northern Virginia – more than any other region in the state,” Wolf said.  “Under no circumstances should this region face more tolls.”

• Claims that the North-South Corridor project will help increase cargo at Dulles Airport: “I have spoken to officials at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and have been told proponents of the North-South Corridor should not claim the project will lead to an increase in cargo being handled at the airport,” he said.

Wolf’s news release concluded with the statement, “while the traffic gridlock around the region certainly calls for transportation and infrastructure improvements, the residents who sacrificed their time and money to live around the “Rural Crescent” deserve protection, consideration and an important role in the planning process.”

Wolf has been an outspoken advocate for improving traffic congestion in the 10th District since he was elected to Congress in 1980. Most recently, he applauded McDonnell and the Virginia Department of Transportation for expanding the number of travel time displays along 1-66 in order to improve traffic flow, and supported the effort for the state of Virginia to take over control of the Dulles Greenway in order to lower toll costs.