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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The Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC), a panel advising the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO), voted 9-4 in favor of a new option, informally dubbed “CTAC Option C.” The route would use Celebrate Virginia Parkway in Stafford County and cross the river where one of the previously studied alternatives—Option D—was proposed.
During a presentation at the April 21 FAMPO Policy Committee meeting, CTAC member Al Watkins said the new route was the result of “many, many, many hours” of analysis by committee members. The preferred alternative aims to reduce environmental impacts, minimize new road construction, and improve regional traffic flow between Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg.
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While Stafford officials champion a north-south corridor west of I-95, officials in Fredericksburg remain focused on a new river crossing, though disagreements persist over its location, cost, and environmental impact.
Stafford Advances Western Road Network Proposal
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On November 19, 2024, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously (7-0) to adopt the 2024 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) as an appendix to the county’s Comprehensive Plan. This update lays the foundation for long-term transportation improvements, addressing existing and future needs through a strategic, phased approach.
The Transportation Master Plan was initiated in 2022 at the direction of the Board of Supervisors. The plan aligns with Stafford County’s Strategic Priorities and builds on transportation studies and community input. A major component is its performance-based approach, which prioritizes projects to maximize safety, reduce congestion, and improve multimodal accessibility.
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Press Release:
FAMPO’s River Crossing Parkway Study Survey is now open until January 3rd, 2025! If you drive, walk, or roll in the Fredericksburg region, you can make an impact on how transportation develops by providing feedback during public comment periods. You are invited to provide feedback on the River Crossing Parkway Study by completing our online survey. To view the presentation boards used during our November 20th River Crossing Study Public Meeting, please click here.
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Fredericksburg officials used map boards and statistics to present potential plans for another bridge across the Rappahannock River at a public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
The meeting was held in the party room at the Fredericksburg Nationals’ stadium, near the bridge that could someday connect Gordon Shelton Boulevard in Fredericksburg to Route 17 in Stafford County, not far from I-95 and Central Park.
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Press release:
Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) is working towards an eventual National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) certification for a river crossing bridge and parkway west of I-95, across the Rappahannock River. This new crossing would provide direct access between Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg West of I-95 and help offer a more reliable transportation network, including more north/south routes for local traffic and additional routes for emergency responders, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian users, while reducing everyday reliance of trips accessing the I-95 corridor.
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At Fredericksburg, three bridges cross the Rappahannock River to keep traffic flowing at Interstate 95 and points east. West of I-95, the closest bridge is over 40 miles away, increasing congestion and stress for many drivers.
This fueled much discussion at the “Rappahannock River Crossing Parkway Alternatives Study,” a Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting.
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Officials are exploring the possibility of building the bridge as an extension of Commerce Parkway, just off Route 17 in south Stafford County. The bridge would cross the Rappahannock River and could connect to Gordon Shelton Boulevard, near Virginia Credit Union Stadium, where the FredNats play.
The project aims to alleviate local street congestion by establishing a new connection between Fredericksburg and Stafford, upstream from existing bridges carrying Interstate 95 over the Rappahannock River.
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Virginia State Police: "Virginia State Police is investigating a crash involving a train in Stafford County. The crash occurred Sunday (Oct. 1), at 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Route 658 (Brent Point Rd) and Route 633 (Arkendale Rd)."
"A 2020 Toyota RAV4 was traveling east on Route 658 when it inadvertently turned onto a private section of train tracks. As the Toyota attempted to turn around and exit the tracks it was struck by a southbound Amtrak train. The railroad crossing arms descended as the Toyota attempted to exit the tracks."
![Many identified their houses on the maps around the room and where they sit in relation to where a new Rappahannock River crossing could be built. [Photo: Mike Salmon]](https://www.potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bridge-Mtg-11-1260x739.jpg){kind=link}
![The comment table was a place where residents could share their opinions on a new Rappahannock River crossing. [Photo: Mike Salmon]](https://www.potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bridge-Mtg-2-1260x739.jpg){kind=link}
![The oval-shaped circle is where officials seek to build a new Rappahannock River crossing. [Photo: Mike Salmon]](https://www.potomaclocal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bridge-Mtg-3-739x840.jpg){kind=link}