Possibility Of Metro 'Is Real Now' For County

Lawmakers Push Transit Extension

The dream to bring Metro to Prince William County is becoming more of a reality, Democratic legislators said Thursday.

Standing on the corner of a business intersection in Woodbridge, Virginia Del. Paul F. Nichols (D-Prince William) and Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D) touted their efforts to extend the mass transit system eight miles south of Springfield and into Woodbridge -- a move that would alleviate traffic congestion on local roads and could lead to new economic opportunities.

"All of us in public life need to have a vision for our future, and I don't want to [envision] a community not linked by Metro," Connolly said. "We have to do this; it's the way of our future."

Connolly said he introduced legislation this year asking for a feasibility study to proceed with the proposal. Connolly said that there is no price tag yet for the study or the project, but that he wants the federal government, not local taxpayers, to foot the bill.

Nichols said Prince William has been considered "the stepchild" waiting to be linked to Washington. Bringing Metro to places such as Fort Belvoir, Lorton, Woodbridge and possibly Potomac Mills would expedite the influx of people expected in the county for the Base Realignment and Closure proceedings and would help equalize the county's tax base.

The tax base is 86 percent residential and 14 percent commercial, which places a burden on residents, he said.

"We need to adjust the commercial-residential tax base, and the only way to change that proportion is to bring something drastic to Prince William, like Metro," Nichols said. "Metro will bring jobs."

Nichols said that while Connolly's legislation focuses on studying the expansion of Metro to Prince William, the proposed extension will also be studied by a committee led by state Sen. George L. Barker (D-Fairfax) that is looking at numerous transportation projects statewide.

According to information from Connolly's office, Metro takes 580,000 cars off the road daily, and since its start 30 years ago has been responsible for generating more than $2 billion in tax revenue for Virginia.

Prince William County Supervisor Frank J. Principi (D-Woodbridge) said traffic congestion has always been the No. 1 complaint of his constituents, who face one of the nation's worst commutes, according to a study published this year.

Principi, along with Prince William Supervisor John D. Jenkins (D-Neabsco), said Metro would probably be routed west of Interstate 95, where the right of way is already open. Stops have not been determined, but likely would be near town center developments where people could live, dine and work within walking distance of Metro, officials said.

"The extension of Metro to Woodbridge is the cornerstone of our vision for a new Woodbridge," Principi said.

"This possibility is real now; it's no longer just a dream. . . . We have a plan in place to make this happen."