WASHINGTON – You could call it the next “Battle of Manassas” — or just a headache for the next governor to handle.
Thirteen leaders say Gov. Bob McDonnell should hold off on plans for the Bi- County Parkway, a proposed highway that would run between Prince William and Loudoun counties and skirt close to a corner of the Manassas National Battlefield Park.
They’re supporting a growing number of local residents who say the planned 10 miles of road would change their lifestyle.
“What we’re saying is slow down, you’ve gone too fast. Think about this,” says Delegate Tim Hugo, R-Fairfax. He’s one of the 13 leaders who sent Gov. McDonnell a letter with their concerns.
“We will continue the fight, and the fight be in January when the House of Delegates and the Senate is back in session and Sean Connaughton is back,” Hugo says.
Connaughton, the Virginia transportation secretary, has said the parkway is needed in the fast-growing, congested region, according to The Washington Post.
Republican Bob Marshall represents the area where the parkway would be built. He says McDonnell should pass the new highway along to the next governor so its plans can be redrawn.
“Voters with Obama stickers on their car thank me for my opposition and say they’re supporting me,” Marshall says. “If that doesn’t send a message to Richmond, I don’t know what does.”
A statement from McDonnell says the Commonwealth Transportation Board makes the decision on whether to move forward on specific projects.
Related Stories:
- NPS wades into debate over Bi-County Parkway
- Bi-County Parkway: A view from Loudoun County
- Bi-County Parkway faces obstacles debate heats up
WTOP’s Hank Silverberg contributed to this report.
Follow @WTOPTraffic and @WTOP on Twitter.
