The picture is of the Western Transportation Network that was approved unanimously by Stafford Officials in November 2024. At the same meeting Stafford officials also approved Transportation Impact Fees on Developers to help pay for the new road.
Fredericksburg Officials are considering including Option A in their Comprehensive Plan at the 7:30 PM meeting on Tuesday the 25th, but that's not good news.
Option A doesn't line up with the Stafford comprehensive Plan. Option A is very environmentally destructive to the streams that lead to the waterfall and the conservation area. Option A costs the most to build and there are approved General Development Plans and new construction plans that will be built before the River Crossing is fully funded making Option A obsolete.
I believe Option A will never be built. Click this link to understand why.
River Crossing Option A is the only river crossing option that Impacts the Waterfall and has a high amount of land disturbance to the Streams and Resource Protection Areas upstream of the Waterfall. Option A will Impair and silt up the clear pristine Waterfall.
Option B-2 is the best River Crossing Option for the following reasons:
1. Least direct impact to private property, only two landowners directly impacted (City of Fredericksburg and the Silver Company).
2. Least environmental impacts to Resource Protection Areas.
3. Shorter connection with the least clearing and Enviromental footprint.
4. Option B-2 has the highest traffic demand and timesaving factor of 55.3%, which cuts travel time in half to get thousands of cars off the road quicker cutting back on air pollution.
5. Option B cost millions less than Option A.
6. Option B has no impact on the Waterfall.
7. Option B is far enough from I-95 where the traffic noise will not impact the serenity on the bridge trail overlook. There would also be more scenic views without having to look at and hear I-95.
8. Option B-2 has the smallest footprint and has much less Enviromental damage to the RPA than the many culverts and Stream disturbances of option A.
9. Option B-2 is about 1/8 of a mile shorter than option B-1.
The projected traffic counts for 2050 are 40,000 trips per day.
A 1/8-mile reduction of 40,000 trips is a reduction in miles driven of 5,000 miles per day, which will significantly reduce air pollution.
10. Most of the runoff from the Options can be channeled to one large stormwater basin for containment and treatment before it reaches the river. One basin is easier to clean up a chemical spill on the road or bridge. Option A would require nearly a dozen stormwater retention areas.
11. Option B maximizes the use of over $100 M in existing infrastructure and will have better traffic flow than the other options. The many connections to Route 17 and the Celebrate Virginia transportation grid will diffuse traffic congestion.
12. Option B-2 will improve Fire and Rescue Response and Transport times in some areas of Stafford, especially in the Del Webb Senior Community.
The study shows driving from the Del Webb Senior Community to Mary Washington Hospital currently takes 30 minutes, but with option B-2 it would take 10.2 minutes to transport to Mary Washington Hospital. That's a reduction of about 20 minutes of transport time. Reducing 20 minutes off the time our ambulances are out of service. Putting our ambulances back in service 20 minutes quicker can't be overstated.
It will take 10 years until the bridge is built. The seniors will be older and might want to live 20 minutes closer to the hospital. I'm sure family members will appreciate saving an extra 20 minutes each way to the hospital. Stafford has a high transient rate of about 11% to 14%. In 10 years, most will not be here.
13. Establishing a Regional Historic Park will mitigate the impacts to the conservation easements, providing more recreational opportunities, protecting open space and showcasing dozens of historic sites.
14. The river crossing at option A would put the parking too close to the waterfall. I believe the parking should be about 2 miles away, so that people will not bring as much trash. Having the parking too close would trash the area around the waterfall. The runoff from option A would also negatively impact the waterfall.
The Fredericksburg City Council Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Plan on Tuesday February 25th at 7:30 pm at 715 Princess Anne St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
You don't have to speak, just show up to support the river crossing!
If you can't make it, please email the Mayor and City Council!
Please tell them River Crossing Option B-2 is the best option to include in their Comprehensive Plan!
kpdevine@fredericksburgva.gov
jagerlach@fredericksburgva.gov
jngraham@fredericksburgva.gov
clfrye@fredericksburgva.gov
Jwholmes@fredericksburgva.gov
wbmackintosh@fredericksburgva.gov
Thanks for reading and Hope to see you at the meeting.
Joe Brito