For Immediate Release (Manassas, VA, May 22, 2009) State Senator Charles J. Colgan (D-29^th) and State Delegate Jackson Miller (R-50^th) announced today that $24.9 million in federal economic stimulus funds have been designated by Governor Tim Kaine to build a Rt. 28 (Nokesville Rd.) bridge over both a busy railroad and Wellington Rd. on the west side of Old Town Manassas. This completes funding for the project with the total cost expected to exceed $45 million.

 

“This important transportation improvement has long been needed to relieve delays and congestion caused by long slow-moving trains,” said Colgan. “It will improve public safety by reducing fire and rescue response times to the west side of the city and will also benefit air quality by decreasing the dwell times of thousands of motor vehicles every day,” he added. Each day, more than 25,000 cars and trucks compete with 12-14 freight trains. 

 

Delegate Miller said that he was delighted to continue the effort of former Delegate Harry Parrish who had worked with his friend Chuck Colgan for more than a decade on the project. “We have been told that this bridge can go to bid this fall,” Miller said. “This will be a stimulus for both traffic and the economy,” he concluded.

 

The push for the elimination of the railroad crossing began in May 1996 as part of a four phase plan to mitigate issues related to increasing freight train traffic in Manassas. A memorandum of understanding among the City of Manassas, the Norfolk Southern Railroad, and VDOT was signed in April 1999. Phases one and two, the relocation of a train crew change facility and the construction of a new 35mph curve to replace a 10mph one, were completed several years ago. These eased the congestion problems somewhat. The construction schedule for the highway bridge has been set back several times in recent years because of dwindling funds for new highway construction statewide.

 

The right-of-way for the work has been purchased in the past few years, including a small shopping center at the corner of Rt. 28 and Wellington Rd. Rt. 28 will rise over the railroad beginning near Southern States and remain on a bridge over Wellington Rd., lowering back to ground level near Technology Dr. A connector road will link Wellington and 28.

 

The Norfolk Southern Railroad is working on a $40 million upgrade of its Manassas to Front Royal line to accommodate an expected doubling of rail freight traffic over the next 10 years. The elimination of this congested at-grade crossing is coming just in time. The fourth phase of the plan is a bridge carrying Wellington Rd. over the railroad near Jennie Dean School. However, no funds have been allocated for this work.

 

 

****End****