DESPITE DEATH OF

HOUSE BILLS,

OUTER BELTWAY

TAKES SEVERAL STEPS

FORWARD

Last week, I reported on the death of two bills in the Virginia House which would have required studies related to a future DC Outer Beltway.

Yet, as has been the style of Gov. Bob McDonnell and the Commonwealth Transportation Board, several even more dramatic steps toward the highway were quietly taken this week.

First, the Prince William Parkway, Fairfax County Parkway (which, like the Rockville Freeway on the Maryland side, was actually part of the original Outer Beltway), and Franconia-Springfield Parkway (Fairfax County) were all designated as "primary roads."

What does that mean? It means they are now eligible for Federal funding for maintenance and upgrades. And for Federal help if they decide to make them part of a future Outer Beltway.

Second, on Wednesday, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board approved the Battlefield Bypass through Manassas.

The Battlefield Bypass is another road which could become part of the Outer Beltway.

Predictably, Stewart Schwartz of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, is not pleased. But it's time that we stop allowing obstructionist groups to control the agenda, and build the long missing roads from our region's freeway system.