STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County supports Option C, a proposed new Rappahannock River crossing that promises to reduce traffic and connect Stafford with Fredericksburg, without relying on I-95.
A Bridge Beyond I-95
On June 3, 2025, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted to endorse Option C as the preferred route for a new bridge west of the interstate. The plan would link Celebrate Virginia Parkway in Stafford to Gordon Shelton Boulevard in Fredericksburg—one of five routes examined during a federally backed Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study.
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STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County leaders are preparing to take a major step toward easing long-standing regional traffic woes.
The Board of Supervisors signaled support for Option C in the Rappahannock River Crossing Bridge Project—a plan to construct a new bridge west of Interstate 95. A final vote is scheduled for today, June 3, during the 5 p.m. county Board of Supervisors meeting. It could set the tone for regional collaboration with the City of Fredericksburg, a critical partner in the project.
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After the maps were set up and the attendees had a chance to look at the city plan, two sides of the issue emerged involving parking, homeless camps, rideability, and traffic.
“Aaron” was one of the bicyclists who saw the value in the trail, which would connect Caroline Street and the old town area of Fredericksburg with the communities and businesses on the other side of Route 3 and the pool during the summer.
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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Fredericksburg’s multi-year upgrade of its wastewater treatment plant continues to move forward, with city officials reporting steady progress on financing and construction—and more than $105 million in grants secured to ease the burden on local taxpayers.
At a May 27 City Council work session, members reviewed the project’s timeline, scope, and estimated $185.6 million total cost.
The city initially faced a January 1, 2026, deadline to meet state nutrient reduction requirements. However, Fredericksburg successfully lobbied for an extension to January 1, 2030, gaining more time amid pandemic-related delays and cost hikes.
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“We literally just fell under that care,” said one Stafford representative during the FAMPO Policy Committee meeting on May 19. “Stafford's ridership still did go up, but everybody else went up just slightly more. And they have a point-on count. So that point-on count, that one day, is what they pay everything.”
The ridership survey determines VRE board representation and revealed Stafford fell short of the threshold needed to maintain two seats. Frustration among committee members was evident.
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STAFFORD, Va. – Stafford County residents will see a higher tab when dining out, as the Board of Supervisors voted 4–3 on May 20, 2025, to increase the county’s meals tax from 5% to 6%. The move is expected to generate an additional $3.2 million in annual revenue, all of which will be earmarked for public schools—specifically to support salary increases for teachers and staff.
Heated Debate Over Tax Hike
The vote followed a contentious public hearing and board discussion. Supporters of the increase emphasized the need to fund Stafford County Public Schools amid rising costs and competitive teacher pay demands. Molly Denham, a resident of the Hartwood District, urged the board to approve the measure, citing previous failures to fully fund long-term school employee pay plans.
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During the May 19, 2025, meeting of the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) Policy Committee, Executive Director Ian Ollis and his team unveiled two preferred alignments—Options A and C—that they believe offer the most viable pathways for a long-debated new bridge linking Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg.
The corridor options are the result of more than three years of planning work, which included public engagement, environmental screening, and traffic data modeling conducted as part of a broader East-West Mobility Study.
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STAFFORD, Va. – Local leaders got a closer look at several upcoming road and bridge improvements during the Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 20, 2025. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) shared updates on major projects aimed at improving safety and easing traffic across the county.
Kyle Bates, VDOT’s Fredericksburg District Administrator, led the presentation, walking supervisors through key timelines, construction plans, and current progress. From emergency fixes to long-range upgrades, the report covered some of Stafford’s most heavily traveled areas.
🚧 Route 1 Reopens After Emergency Closures
Emergency lane closures on Route 1 (Cambridge Street) have officially been lifted. The closures were triggered by concerns about the structural integrity of a section of the roadway.
“A load analysis was conducted, and the situation is being monitored,” said Bates, who assured supervisors that VDOT continues to assess the area’s long-term needs.
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STAFFORD, Va. – A surge of public opposition to large-scale data center development dominated the May 20, 2025, Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting, leading county leaders to unanimously order a full review of the rules governing these rapidly expanding facilities.
Following more than an hour of impassioned public comment, the Board adopted Resolution R25-141, directing the Stafford County Planning Commission to revisit and potentially strengthen data center performance standards first enacted in 2023.
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Editor’s Note: This is the second in a six-part series called “A Conversation with the Superintendent,” based on a sit-down interview with Stafford County Schools Superintendent Dr. Daniel W. Smith. The series explores Dr. Smith’s vision for the division, including how he plans to fix school transportation, address special education and equity gaps, manage a growing budget crisis, recruit new talent, and navigate ongoing debates about diversity and inclusion. Stay with us each week for new installments.
Next up: Part Three – Reaching Every Learner
How is Stafford working to meet the needs of its most vulnerable students? In our next installment, Dr. Smith opens up about the growing challenges in special education and ESL, and reveals new strategies aimed at closing achievement gaps — even as the district grapples with limited resources and rising demands.
