Proposed Budget Could Bring More Transportation Projects to Woodbridge

At the Board of County Supervisors’ meeting Tuesday a bit of good news came from potential transportation projects to round out the 2006 transporation bond.

While roughly 11 countywide transportation projects were proposed in the that was presented in December; the county can now afford to add four more improvements.

Tuesday marked the beginning of the 2012 budget process; now that County Executive Melissa Peacor has presented her budget it is up to the board to figure out what changes it will adopt for the new budget.

Funds have been found from proffers, federal funding, cash to capital ($7.3 million) and general fund debt services to round out the 2006 Road Bond projects that were originally put off due to budgetary issues.

According to Peacor, the board asked that all the new real estate tax revenue be used to re-start all of the 2006 road projects as well as library bond projects.

Improvements along the Prince William Parkway from Old Bridge to Minnieville roads, Rollins Ford Road, Minnieville Road from Spriggs Road to Route 234 and Route 1 from Neabsco Mills Road to Featherstone Drive

If the board adopts the proposed 2012 budget, all of the transportation improvements approved in the 2006 Road Bond Projects plan will be completed by 2015.

In addition to transportation improvements, a new fire station that was also previously removed due to budget constraints will be back in the mix.

The station, dubbed “Bacon Race” is scheduled to open in fiscal year 2016 and would be funded through the fire levy. For planning purposes, that fire station’s operating costs would start being included in fiscal year 2015.

Such a station will house a 24-hour career medic unit and will be staffed by both career and volunteer firefighters.

Finally, Northern Virginia Community College could be seeing increased funding from the county. In the proposed budget, Prince William County will provide $1 million to leverage $29 million in funds from the state for a $30 million Workforce Development Center at the Woodbridge campus.

On Saturday, Feb. 19 there will be a community meeting at the McCoart building where the same budget presentation will be given for interested residents.

The budget will go through several work sessions and public hearings in March before coming to a vote in April.