Prince William County has scrapped its $300 million Route 28 Bypass project, leaving residents and officials debating the next steps for traffic relief. The project, which would have taken 70 homes, faced rising costs, land acquisition hurdles, and a lack of Fairfax County support. Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger criticized the decision, saying her city is “stuck in the middle.” Meanwhile, State Sen. Danica Roem is pushing forward with $62.5 million in intersection improvements. A town hall on Route 28’s future will be held Feb. 26 at Manassas Park City Hall. Read more about what’s next for local transportation.

This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!

Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.


A new Home Depot is set to open in Gordon Plaza, marking a significant step in the redevelopment of North Woodbridge.

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved the rezoning and special use permit for the 16-acre site at 13271 Gordon Boulevard, allowing for a home improvement store exceeding 80,000 square feet. The project will also feature a garden center, seasonal sales area, motor vehicle rental (limited), curbside pickup, and expanded parking facilities during its February 4, 2025 meeting.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


A fatal two-vehicle crash occurred on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 2:39 p.m. in the express lanes of Interstate 95 southbound near mile marker 151 in Prince William County.

A 2020 Lexus RX, stopped on the right shoulder, was struck by a 2022 Ford F-250 that veered off the road. The impact sent the Lexus into a guardrail before it re-entered traffic lanes and stopped facing oncoming vehicles.

The Lexus driver, Vernon S. Lee, II, 57, of Chester, Va., died at the scene. His passenger, Shannon S. Lee, 25, suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital. Both were wearing seatbelts.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project, ending years of planning and millions of dollars in studies and design work. The decision, which passed with a 5-3 vote, came after a contentious debate over the feasibility and cost of the project.

Initially estimated to cost more than $200 million, the road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County. The plan to build the road, Alternative 2B, was the top recommendation from the 2017 Route 28 Corridor Feasibility Study. The project had received $89 million in funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) as part of a broader effort to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure.

County transportation director Rick Canizales confirmed that the estimated cost had grown beyond available funding, requiring an additional $80–$100 million to proceed. “After taking all this into consideration and doing all the design work that we’ve done at this point, we come to the board and let you know that as staff, we believe that alternative 2B is not viable because we don’t have enough money and we don’t have enough support in some of the challenges we’re facing,” Canizales said.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega is pushing to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass project, a multi-year effort designed to alleviate congestion on Route 28 by extending Godwin Drive to connect Manassas with Dulles Airport. The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is set to vote on her resolution during its meeting on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The project, initially endorsed in September 2020, was meant to relieve congestion on Route 28 by constructing a four-lane divided bypass extending Godwin Drive across Sudley Road. The road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


Due to an unforeseen number of staff absences, Stafford County Public Schools is experiencing bus delays this afternoon. 

Several schools are being significantly impacted by delays, including North Stafford High, Brooke Point High, and Colonial Forge High, which have reported delays ranging from 15 to 45 minutes. The elementary and middle schools, such as Garrisonville Elementary and Stafford Middle, are also experiencing delays, particularly for routes that have been combined or affected by traffic.

“Yes, this also affected morning runs… As you have seen, there is a rise in flu-like illnesses in Stafford,” said Stafford County Public Schools spokeswoman Sandra Osborn. “We are asking that parents please be patient and monitor the delay board. We also ask that they keep their children home when they are ill.”

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


Fredericksburg Police have launched automated speed enforcement cameras in school zones at Hugh Mercer Elementary and James Monroe High School to curb speeding and improve safety. The move is part of a partnership formed in November 2024 between the Fredericksburg Police Department and the city, aiming to reduce speeding near schools and protect students, staff, and families.

To ease drivers into the new system, the city implemented a 30-day warning period following the installation of the cameras. During this period, violators received warnings instead of citations, a step the city said was designed to “educate drivers and encourage compliance with speed limits.”

Between December 12, 2024, and January 10, 2025, Fredericksburg Police issued 247 warnings for speeding violations. The highest recorded speed was 50 mph. At James Monroe High School, located on Washington Avenue, 66 warnings were given, 19 of which were for speeds at least 15 mph over the 15 mph school zone limit. The highest recorded speed at this location was 33 mph.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


Crews from Stafford Utilities are repairing a water main break on Route 1 southbound near Centreport Parkway. The far-right and center lanes of the highway will be closed to traffic as repairs are made, though the far left lane remains open. Drivers are advised to proceed with caution through the area.

Stafford County spokeswoman Shannon Eubanks said one customer remains without water due to the break. The cause of the water main rupture is still under investigation.

There is no estimated completion time for the repairs, as crews must first identify the problem before calculating how long it will take to fix it. Howell emphasized that safety remains a priority and urged drivers to avoid the closed lanes where possible.

More as we have it.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board meeting on January 17, 2025, saw several significant discussions aimed at enhancing service and infrastructure across the transit system. Among the most talked-about topics were the introduction of Saturday service, a crucial funding agreement for the Manassas Line, solutions for parking challenges at stations, and major infrastructure projects, including the redevelopment of Seminary Yard and the Long Bridge upgrades. Each of these initiatives is designed to improve the commuter experience and accommodate a growing ridership base.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the ongoing development of Saturday service, a long-awaited addition that has been approved and included in VRE’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Set to feature three round-trip trains on the Fredericksburg and Manassas lines, this service is expected to cater to weekend commuters, offering a much-needed alternative to the crowded roads in the region.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.


View More Stories