MANASSAS, Va. – Visitors to Historic Downtown Manassas now have more parking options, thanks to the opening of a new lot located between Main, Center, East, and Church streets.
Historic Manassas, Inc. announced the additional parking, which offers two-hour parking Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and no restrictions during evenings and weekends. The added spaces aim to make it easier for visitors to dine, shop, attend meetings, or simply enjoy time downtown.
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Editor's Note:
This is the final part of our three-part series exploring Virginia Railway Express' vision for the future. Thank you for following along.
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Editor's Note:
This is the second in our three-part series on the future of Virginia Railway Express (VRE). We're breaking down VRE's bold System Plan 2050 — and what it means for you.
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Editor's Note:
This is the first in a three-part series exploring Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) ambitious System Plan 2050, which outlines a vision for how the commuter rail system could grow over the next 25 years. We'll break down what the plan means for the region, what riders can expect, and how the system hopes to pay for its bold goals.
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A 30-day warning period for photo red light enforcement at the intersection of Liberia Avenue and Richmond Avenue in Manassas will begin on May 1, 2025.
After the warning period ends on June 1, 2025, active enforcement will start, and citations will be issued to violators. Each potential violation will be reviewed by a Manassas City Police Officer before a citation is issued.
The fine for violations is a $50 civil penalty and does not impact the driver’s license status. This enforcement is part of the city’s effort to improve roadway safety by encouraging compliance with traffic laws and reducing vehicle crashes.
30-Day Warning Period to Begin May 1, 2025, for Photo Red Light Enforcement at Liberia Avenue and Richmond Avenue Intersection
As part of the ongoing photo red light enforcement campaign, traffic safety and engineering studies have determined that photo red light enforcement is appropriate for the intersection of Liberia Avenue and Richmond Avenue based on studies of violations and crashes at this location.
On May 1, 2025, a 30-day warning period will begin at this intersection. After the 30-day warning period on June 1, 2025, active enforcement will occur, and citations will be issued to violators. Each potential violation is reviewed by a Manassas City Police Officer prior to a citation being issued. If it is determined that a violation did occur, a citation will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The fine is a $50 civil penalty and does not impact driver’s license status.
The goal of photo red light enforcement is to improve roadway safety by encouraging compliance with traffic laws and reducing vehicle crashes. For more information on the City of Manassas photo red light enforcement program, visit https://www.manassasva.gov/police_department/red_light_camera_program.php
Current active intersections include:
- Liberia Avenue & Centreville Road
- Liberia Avenue & Euclid Avenue
- Liberia Avenue & Signal Hill Road
- Center Street & Grant Avenue
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – At one time, the Fredericksburg Visitors’ Center at the corner of Charlotte and Caroline Streets and the little parking lot next door were an adequate place for visitors to park. Last year, the Visitor’s Center relocated to a larger space a block away. The parking lot is now under new ownership, and access to the lot has been restricted. However, not everyone received the notice, so parking enforcement rolls in, which some see as unwarranted.
“I have heard of people being towed,” said Simon Jones, who called the signs “very unclear.” He had a latte from “Anita’s Café” next door to the lot, and the owner, Anita Crossfield, agrees that the signage needs to be clearer. She’s seen cars being towed from the lot, especially on holidays. “It’s not clear,” she said, and an updated version of the sign needs to be included. The new owners should do that, Anita said.
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STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. — Reckless street racing between a juvenile and his father resulted in a crash on Courthouse Road Tuesday evening, knocking out power to 2,000 Stafford County residents.
Deputies responded to the 1500 block of Courthouse Road at about 6:25 p.m. on April 22, 2025, after a Ford Mustang struck and toppled a utility pole. Witnesses told Deputy X.D. Bates, the Mustang, was speeding when the juvenile driver lost control, narrowly missing a child playing nearby. Moments later, a green Porsche arrived on the scene, driven by the juvenile’s father, who transported the teen from the area.
A witness followed the Porsche to a home on Brooke Road and alerted authorities. After a roughly hour-long standoff at the residence, deputies made contact with the suspects. Investigators determined the father had encouraged his son to race down Courthouse Road.
The father was arrested and faces multiple charges, including racing, child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, obstruction of justice, and hit and run. The 45-year-old is being held without bond at Rappahannock Regional Jail. The teenager is expected to face charges as well.
Authorities would not release the name of the father or the age and gender of the teen.
Here’s the full press release:
Reckless Racing Riders
Approximately 2,000 residents were without power due to the reckless nature of two Stafford drivers.
On April 22nd, at approximately 6:25 p.m., Deputy X.D. Bates responded to the 1500 block of Courthouse Road for an auto accident. Dispatch received numerous calls regarding a Mustang crashing into an electric pole, knocking it completely over. As Deputy Bates was on scene dealing with the crash site, multiple witnesses came forward to inform him what happened.
It was discovered the Mustang was traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control. A juvenile playing in the area had to leap out of the way to avoid being struck before the vehicle crashed into the pole. Witnesses advised the driver appeared to be a juvenile. Shortly after the crash, a green Porsche arrived. The driver of the Porsche was identified as the Mustang driver’s father, who transported the juvenile off scene. Another witness called in to inform deputies they followed the Porsche to a residence on Brooke Road.
When deputies arrived, they located the suspect Porsche. Announcements were made for the residents to exit, but they did not comply. After an approximate hour standoff, residents complied with commands. Contact was made with both the Porsche driver and his son, the Mustang driver. It was discovered the father encouraged his son to race down Courthouse Road.
The father was charged with racing, child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, obstruction of justice, as well as, hit and run. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. Criminal complaints for racing, failure to report a hit and run, as well as, driving without a license are pending for the juvenile.
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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[Photo: Prince William County Government]
Transportation Director Rick Canizales announced a new series of public town halls during a recent episode of the Potomac Local News podcast. The sessions, to be held throughout the county, will provide residents with an opportunity to discuss their ideas, priorities, and concerns directly with transportation planners.
“We want to know what they want to see in the future,” said Canizales. “Not just what we already have going on. This is the first step in building a transportation network that’s truly community-driven.”
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The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will close Route 644 (Rock Hill Church Road) overnight on Sunday, April 6 for a pipe replacement project near Route 671 (Van Horn Lane).
The closure will begin at 8 p.m. Sunday and last through 6 a.m. Monday, April 7. VDOT crews will replace a drainage pipe underneath the roadway during this time. Drivers will be detoured along a 10-mile route using Route 610 (Garrisonville Road), Route 643 (Joshua Road), and Route 627 (Mountain View Road).
Once the road reopens early Monday morning, crews will return to the site at 9 a.m. to apply new asphalt. One-way, alternating traffic will be directed through the area during the paving work, with a flagging crew managing the flow of vehicles.
The work is part of a larger infrastructure improvement project to widen the Rock Hill Church Road bridge over Aquia Creek and upgrade the surrounding roadway. VDOT began preliminary work in 2023, with full construction expected to begin in spring 2025. The project is designed to enhance safety and mobility in the area and is projected to be completed by 2026.
The pipe replacement and paving are early steps in preparing the roadway for more extensive construction in the years ahead.
The work is weather-dependent, and electronic message boards will be installed to alert drivers of the planned closure and detour.
