Loudoun delegate calls on governor to punt Bi-County Parkway

WASHINGTON – A Loudoun County delegate is calling on Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to stop moving ahead with the controversial Bi-County Parkway and leave it in the hands of the next governor.

Del. Dave Ramadan, R-Loudoun, says there is not enough time left in the McDonnell administration to answer all the remaining questions about the 10-mile highway that would connect Prince William and Loudoun counties.

“We do need to reboot. We do need a fresh start,” Ramadan says. “The best scenario would be to keep it for the next administration.”

McDonnell’s term ends in January. A spokesman says the governor has not changed his position supporting the proposed highway.

Both major party candidates for governor have been non-committal on the current plans.

Democrat Terry McAuliffe has said he is committed to alleviating congestion in northern Virginia. But when asked specifically about the Bi-County Parkway at a candidate forum in Prince William County in early August he said, “I don’t want to pre-judge any individual transportation projects.”

Republican candidate Ken Cuccinelli favors the road, but at that same August forum he said he has serious concerns about plans to close Route 234 through the Manassas Battlefield, which is part of a pending deal with the National Park Service.

“I’m gonna rely on our congressional delegation to get that set aside as we move forward with plans to actually execute on a real Bi-County Parkway,” Cuccinelli said at the August forum.

Many local residents are opposed to the plan which has been endorsed by the Board of Supervisors in both counties.

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