Woodbridge, Va. –– The first phase of widening U.S. 1 in Woodbridge is fully funded.
With that announcement, Frank Principi kicked of his reelection bid to keep his seat on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors representing Woodbridge residents.
The long-awaited $140 million project to widen the highway from four to six lanes between Mary’s Way and the Occoquan River, and improve intersections at Occoquan Road and Gordon Boulevard (Va. 123), will be funded by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell’s billion dollar transportation initiative passed this spring.
Principi is still working to get funding for a second phase of the project, for construction of an interchange at U.S. 1 and Va. 123, which remains only partially funded.
The Democrat addressed many of the issues facing residents and business owners in the U.S. 1 corridor in his district, telling the standing-room only crowd he’s been tough on zoning violations, fighting blight and responding to residents’ complaints.
“We have been extremely aggressive working with the county attorney to make sure that blight goes away. I think all of you can probably drive down Route 1 right now and witness a difference. Not a major difference, we don’t have major national tenants moving into Marumsco Plaza, but we had 23 buildings either revitalized or taken down in the Woodbridge District,” said Principi.
Principi also heralded the creation of Woodbridge’s first civic association, his work to expand the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and preserving neighborhoods.
“We’ve had an influx of immigrants move into our district. We’ve had home foreclosures, record home foreclosures – one of the top 10 in the country – right here in Woodbridge. We’ve had people lose their jobs, lose their benefits and we have to do everything possible to fight for them and their families,” said Prinicpi.
Principi faces Republican challenger Chris Royse for the Woodbridge seat on the Board, the same opponent he defeated in 2007.
Voters go to the polls on Nov. 8.
