WASHINGTON — Virginia State Route 28, which stretches 49 miles from Fauquier to Loudoun County, is currently the bane of many morning commuters, but two powerful elected leaders are vowing to make the ride more bearable.
Newly-elected Delegate Danica Roem, of Prince William County, met with Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova Tuesday to discuss improving the commuter experience on the highway that runs through Fauquier, Prince William, Fairfax and Loudoun counties.
“It is absolutely critical that Fairfax County and Prince William County work together on this highway,” Bulova told WTOP.
I drove to Fairfax today to discuss fixing Route 28 w/ @SharonBulova & transportation officials. Thank you for hosting, Chairman Bulova!
She also introduced me at the supervisors’ legislative cmte meeting.
What happens in FFX affects PWC. Working together is vital for our region.— Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) November 28, 2017
Roem’s campaign platform included improving traffic infrastructure, particularly on Route 28.
Bulova said Fairfax County is making Route 28 a priority.
“We are right now working on plans to widen Route 28, eventually, to six, or maybe eight lanes,” said Bulova. “In Prince William County, they’re looking at widening, and also potential realignment.”
Bulova and Roem said the neighboring jurisdictions will need to work together from conception through implementation to make the improvements seamless for commuters.
“People don’t know when they’re crossing the boundaries from one jurisdiction to another,” Bulova said.
After the meeting in her office, which included the county’s director for the office of transportation, Tom Biesiadny, Bulova said she had never seen an elected official “as focused and knowledgeable” as Roem is, on the subject of Route 28.
“She’s intensely interested in funding, and prioritizing funding for Route 28,” said Bulova.
Roem also campaigned on coming up with multimodal traffic options along 28, to offer an alternative to private vehicles.
WTOP’s Dick Uliano contributed to this report.
