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QUANTICO
GROWTH
MANAGEMENT
COMMITTEE
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PRESS RELEASE
Fri 20 Nov 2009
Quantico Growth Committee Identifies Priority
The Quantico Growth Management Committee (QGMC) has adopted as its highest priority a goal to widen and upgrade a 4-mile stretch of US Route 1. Prince William County Supervisor, Maureen Caddigan, QGMC co-chair, noted that “improvements to US-1 intersections at Joplin / Fuller roads,
Russell Road, and
Telegraph Road are needed to accommodate existing as well as increased traffic volumes entering and exiting Marine Corps Base Quantico as a result of over 2,600 new employees scheduled to arrive by September of 2011”. Stafford County Supervisor and Committee co-chair, Cord Sterling, explained that “Additional lane miles would be added between the three intersections -- spanning both counties -- to tie them all together into one project”.
As a first step toward eventual construction, funding of approximately $2.5 million will be sought from a variety of federal, state, local, and other sources in order to complete a portion of the preliminary engineering design and environmental assessment. Although the total cost of the entire project cannot be determined until completion of the initial “30% design” phase, major components of the project will include full engineering, property acquisition, approximately $4 million per lane mile for road widening from 4 to 6 lanes, plus the cost of intersection improvements and an interchange / bridge replacement at Russell Road.
Supervisor Caddigan noted that “US-1 encompasses a corridor of common interest to all Committee members, and therefore was selected as a logical and practical choice for QGMC’s focus”. Decision criteria included shared jurisdiction and regional impact among the stakeholders, efficient size of project area, speed of potential action, unique funding mechanisms, synergy with Base and county plans, and support from local / state / federal agencies. The 3 key intersections in the project area have been highlighted for improvement by several transportation / growth / environmental studies. Supervisor
Sterling added “The recommended project area represents an opportunity for the community to address BRAC-related traffic congestion, public safety, national defense, economic development, and quality of life in the region”.
The QGMC was established in late 2005 by Prince William and
Stafford counties to identify, assess, and address BRAC growth-related issues in and around Marine Corps Base Quantico. QGMC members include:
Prince William County Supervisors: Maureen Caddigan, John Jenkins, Frank Principi
Stafford
County Supervisors: Cord
Sterling, Mark Dudenhefer, Robert Woodson
Marine Corps Base Quantico Commander: Col. Daniel Choike (Liaison)
In a related matter, Colonel Choike, Commander at Marine Corps Base Quantico, reported that the Base has instituted an internal “taxi” service as well as a shuttle bus which can carry Base employees to and from the Quantico VRE station, thereby reducing the number of cars traveling to, from, and within the Base as well as alleviating parking challenges in high-activity locations. These actions arose as a result of congestion reduction recommendations made by community representatives during the Environmental Impact Statement related to incoming BRAC jobs, and demonstrate the value of military/community collaboration on transportation and planning issues.
Further information can be obtained from QGMC staff at 540-658-8797, or by viewing the QGMC website at http://www.qgmc.org/.
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