How to Bring the Blue Line To Prince William County

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is conducting a survey as part of a feasibility study of enhanced public transportation services which could include options such as additional express bus services, increased VRE commuter rail expansion, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), or an extension of Metrorail. This survey closes May 15, 2021. DRPT needs to hear that residents want enhanced public transportation options to prioritize funding.

Complete this brief 10-minute survey and have your voice heard about the potential future transit enhancements in Fairfax and Prince William counties.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE NEEDED.  Please complete these comment forms, tell the DRPT how critical these projects are for our community and Northern Virginia.

Save the date and register to attend the upcoming public meeting on May 4 by using this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcoduygqzksHNwcHLeexgQ39YCNsqj3ZCyw 

As always, please reach out to my office at 571-249-4484 or district36@senate.virginia.gov if you have questions or ideas about things we can do to serve the community better.

It is an honor to serve you in Richmond. 

Weekly Column: General Assembly Legalizes Limited Adult Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Connection, The Prince William Times, The Fort Hunt Herald, and Potomac Local in the week of April 12, 2021.

General Assembly Legalizes Limited Adult Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana

               This past week, we returned to Richmond for Reconvened Session or Veto Session to consider Governor Northam’s amendments to the state budget and legislation passed during the session.  The Governor vetoed no bills.

               The bill that received the most attention was marijuana legalization.  The bill that passed during the session created a new Virginia Cannabis Control Authority and a series of governing and advisory boards.  During the regular session, there were major differences between the chambers.  We eventually agreed on legislation that repealed civil penalties on adult possession of small amounts of marijuana effective January 1, 2024. 

After we adjourned, we continued our discussions and eventually Governor Northam’s proposed amendments that moved that date up to July 1, 2021.  This was approved largely along party lines.   

Comment on GW Parkway Traffic Safety Changes

 As Mount Vernon Residents know, the GW Parkway is a community jewel but has become increasingly dangerous due to vehicle and pedestrian conflicts with increased traffic.

Elected leaders in the area have been laser focused on finding solutions and working with the National Park Service (NPS) to make improvements. As part of National Park System, the Virginia Department of Transportation does not have jurisdiction over construction so we have been working closely with our federal representatives - Congressman Beyer and Senators Warner and Kaine. Senator Ebbin, Del. Krizek and I have also written several local news columns about the challenges our constituents face on the Parkway.

Surovell: Let’s Work Together to Solve GW Parkway’s Traffic Problem, Fort Hunt Herald (July 15, 2019)
‘Parkway Problems Will Get Worse’, Mt. Vernon Gazette, (May 24, 2017)

The NPS has been engaged in an ongoing safety study to come with solutions, held two public meetings and solicited comments.  In July of 2019, I wrote comments to the National Park Service with my ideas for how to improve the Parkway. After receiving comments from the community, I sent an updates letter. Both of those letters are posted below. 

The NPS just released their proposed safety improvements today.  You can read the full report here:

NPS: GW Parkway Traffic And Safety Context Sensitive Solution Assessment
NPS GW Parkway Study Appendices 

New Opportunities For Virginia's Oldest Town

In February, Colonial Downs announced a $389 million resort gaming emporium complex in Dumfries called “The Rose.” It has the potential to transform the Town of Dumfries and is part of a larger effort to transform Eastern Prince William County into a series of waterfront mixed-use villages and parks connected by the extension of the Blue Line and the Virginia Railway Express, including Occoquan, Belmont, Potomac Shores, Dumfries and Quantico.  

Twenty years from now, these communities will become destination neighborhoods that anchor Prince William County’s social fabric and tax base and connect Northern Virginians to the Potomac River in ways we can only imagine today.