Transportation

Transportation Planning provides the short and long range transportation plan for Prince William County. This group manages, develops and updates the transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan. It also reviews zoning and special use permit applications and conducts negotiations with developers for transportation improvements.

 

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AREAS OF INTEREST:

• Regional and State Transportation Planning
• Northern Virginia 2040 Transportation Plan
• Route 1 Bus Rapid Transit Study
• Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA).pdf
• Process To Accept Private Roads Into the State System.pdf
• Thoroughfare Plan April 2016.pdf

THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROCESS  

STEP 1: DEVELOPMENT REVIEW

The Development Review process for transportation planning examines how future development might  impact  Prince William County's  road network.  The process also determines the appropriate transportation improvements that developers should construct to mitigate their impact.
 

STEP 2: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

 

Transportation planners develop and update the transportation sections of the County’s Comprehensive Plan using a travel forecast model based on the projected County growth rates for the year 2020. The transportation sections of the Comprehensive Plan identify future transportation needs; i.e. road location, lane size non-motorized options (bike paths) etc. The Comprehensive Plan is reviewed and approved by the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) at least every five years.

 

STEP 3: FUNDING

 

There are three primary sources of funding for road projects identified in the Comprehensive Plan. Funding may come from developers, state funding and bonds. The largest source of funding comes from the State’s Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) Six Year Plan. The two types of six year plans are the Six Year Secondary Road Plan and the Six Year Primary Road Plan.
 
The Six-Year-State-Secondary Plan provides improvements to all roads with route numbers of 600 and higher. In November/December of each year,  the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) hold a joint public hearing about these road improvement projects. After receiving public input the BOCS adopts a resolution establishing the top priorities in road improvement projects for the next six years. The County receives about nine million dollars each year for secondary road improvements.
 
The Six Year Primary Road Plan provides road improvements to roads with route numbers of 600 or lower including interstates. Unlike the secondary plan the Six Year Primary Plan requires Prince William County to compete with the rest of Northern Virginia for funding. The CTB holds a public hearing in March-April of every year. Annually the BOCS establishes the County’s priorities by adopting a resolution which is sent to the CTB before its public hearing.
 
Selected County roads and road improvements are funded by the sale of general obligation bonds that are approved by voters on a referendum during a general election. Roads are selected based on citizen input, the Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Plan goals for transportation. These projects are typically chosen based on traffic safety needs or commuter convenience. Road bond projects are undertaken throughout the community to insure all areas benefit from road improvements. This provides fairness and equity for all commuters.

In the past decade, the BOCS has passed more than 420 million dollars in bonds to improve the transportation in the County. Successful road bond projects include Prince William Parkway,  Ashton Avenue, Liberia Avenue, Sudley Road, Cardinal Drive, Ridgefield Road and Old Bridge Road improvements, among others.