Route 1 Name Change Now in Effect

As of Friday, July 1, 2022, Jefferson Davis Highway in Prince William County has been renamed Richmond Highway. Since 2019, local jurisdictions in Northern Virginia have undertaken efforts to rename Route 1 as Richmond Highway. Realizing it was time for a change in Prince William County, the Board of County Supervisors (Board) approved a resolution to request that the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) change the name of Route 1 in Prince William County in September of 2020. In November 2020, the CTB unanimously approved a resolution to change the name of Route 1 in Prince William County from Jefferson Davis Highway to Richmond Highway.

Prior, in June 2020, the Board expressed their intent to mitigate the impacts renaming Route 1 would have on small businesses in Prince William County. In response, the Department of Economic Development (DED) surveyed and actively engaged the business community along Route 1 to identify potential costs to businesses.

Based on survey results and feedback from the business community, DED recommended the Board establish the Route 1 Refresh Grant Program to offset the potential impacts stemming from the renaming. On July 20, 2021, the Board unanimously approved the establishment of the grant program. The Board also authorized the transfer of $3 million to the Industrial Development Authority of Prince William County to implement the program.

The grant offers three levels of funding to eligible businesses:

• Level 1: $500 grants for all eligible businesses.
• Level 2: Up to $4,500 additional funds as a reimbursable grant for all eligible businesses.
• Level 3: Reimbursable up to 75 percent of the modification costs not to exceed $30,000 to update freestanding signs and shopping center signs that contain Jefferson Davis Highway as part of the sign face or design.

To apply for the grant program, please visit pwcded.org/route1 or call 703-792-5500.

Public engagement was a central focus throughout the renaming effort to ensure that the public, and specifically those impacted, stay informed throughout the process with a virtual town hall, mailings and a dedicated webpage with information.

A Sign Unveiling Ceremony to commemorate the name change will be held on July 16 at 10:00 a.m. at River Oaks Shopping Center, located at 16555 River Ridge Boulevard, Woodbridge, VA 22191.

Additional details are available on the Renaming Route 1 webpage. Submit questions via email to the Renaming Route 1 Task Force at [email protected] or call 703-792-6825.