FAQs
Below is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that you might have around specific topic areas related to the Route 28 Bypass Project. These questions are updated frequently and are based on your direct feedback. If you don’t see an answer to a question you have, no problem! Email us and we’ll work to make sure your voice is heard and your questions are answered.
FAQs
My Home & Family
Housing & Residential Concerns
PWC DOT has begun the Design and Engineering phase of the Route 28 Bypass Project, which will determine the exact location of the roadway. On April 19th and 20th 2023, Prince William County DOT held Public Information Meetings that revealed updated Preliminary Design Plans that show the most up-to-date location of the roadway. The PWC DOT will not know exactly which properties & residences will be impacted by the Bypass until the Design and Engineering phase is complete, which is expected to be complete by early 2025.
At the conclusion of the Design and Engineering phase, an official notification will be sent directly to impacted properties and residents. Residents who will be required to relocate will be entitled to Relocation Assistance and support from Prince William County. Negotiations that adhere to the Uniform Act, Section 4.2.3. of VDOTs Right of Way Manual of Instructions, are expected to begin in 2025.
Based on the Virginia Code and the Uniform Act, Section 4.2.3 of VDOTs Right of Way Manual of Instructions, PWC officials will begin the process of meeting with property owners once the Board of County Supervisors has approved the final bypass design and the Right of Way impacts have been identified. The PWC DOT will notify and work with impacted property owners and residents throughout this process.
Property owners and residents who reside in areas where preliminary surveying work will occur will also be contacted periodically during the design phase of the project for permission to enter the property to conduct the survey and other study work.
As the project progresses forward, PWC DOT will continue to coordinate with Fairfax County and the City of Manassas during design to regularly communicate and engage with the community to make resources & information regarding the Route 28 Bypass easily accessible and understandable.
Information regarding the Right of Way process will also be posted on the Route 28 Bypass project website and provided during public Information Sessions.
For now, please refer to the VDOT Guide for Property Owners and Tenants (English Version) or VDOT Guide for Property Owners and Tenants (Spanish Version).
Additional studies determining noise impacts will be conducted throughout the project design process. As studies are completed, they will be shared on the project website. The engineering firm will work to identify appropriate solutions, such as noise barriers, for the Bypass.
While the noise analyses are not required as part of this project, PWC DOT will complete them to address concerns raised by the community.
The Route 28 Bypass project is expected to cost approximately $300 million.
My Community
The primary goals for the Route 28 Bypass project include:
Our goal is to provide the public with the most up-to-date, accurate information and resources regarding the Bypass project and to gather community input and concerns throughout the process.
In an effort to reach the community & mitigate misinformation PWC DOT will:
There are typically four major phases of an infrastructure project:
The exact location of the Route 28 Bypass will be determined during the design and engineering phase, which is expected to be complete in 2025.
The current concept (Alternative 2B) estimates that the Route 28 Bypass will extend from the existing Route 28 in Fairfax County through Prince William County to end at the Godwin Drive intersection in the City of Manassas. The approximately 3.5-mile road will begin as an extension of Godwin Drive, where it meets with Sudley Road. It will intersect with Lomond Drive and continue up to the Fairfax-PWC County border where it will then connect with Ordway Drive for a small section and tie into existing Route 28 south of Compton Road.
You can view the map presented at the April 2023 Public Information Meeting here.
The exact impact and effect on businesses will not be determined until the end of the design and engineering phase, which is expected to be complete in 2025. The current preliminary alignment shows that the Route 28 Bypass will reduce congestion on the existing Route 28 at Prince William County, City of Manassas, and City of Manassas Park. This will, in turn, improve access to the business community on the existing Route 28 corridor.
The alternatives assessment has been completed. In September 2020, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors endorsed the Route 28 Bypass as the option to address traffic congestion along Route 28. The PWC Department of Transportation has begun design and engineering on the bypass and will be moving forward with the current project location and will be assessing alternative designs at the various intersections, not other locations for the project.
In 2021, Prince William County released theRequest for Proposal (RFP) and selected WSP USA, Inc. as the Prime Engineering Design Consultant to lead the design. The sub-consultants include Kimley-Horn, ATCS, DMY, Peggy Malone and Associates, ERM, Accumark, Stantec, and Cardno. As a separate contract, Parsons Transportation Group is the Environmental Services Consultant.
As part of the transportation process, the Prince William County Department of Transportation (PWC DOT) considered safety impacts to the natural and human environment (environmental analysis), traffic analysis, cost, input from regulatory agencies (e.g., the Army Corps of Engineers), the public and various stakeholders. Based on these factors, alignment alternative 2B was selected.
As the design progresses, the configurations of intersections/interchanges and typical sections will be refined further. The current layouts and sections could be found here but are subject to adjustments. During each advanced phase of design, the latest will be shared and presented to the public for additional input and consideration into the design.
As with any construction project, many factors can impact the timeline. As of Spring 2022, the current schedule shows construction is expected to be awarded in Fall 2026. The PWC DOT will update the project timeline as the design and engineering phase progresses and the construction duration is further determined. Please note, you may see staff performing work in the field to collect data necessary to further the design.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is required to review and endorse the final engineering design for the Route 28 Bypass at the conclusion of the Public Hearings.
Initial coordination has begun with the Army Corps of Engineers. PWC DOT will submit permit applications for the Route 28 Bypass to the US Army Corps of Engineers at 60% of the design, which is anticipated to occur in 2024. If the US Army Corps of Engineers does not approve and release the permit, the engineering team will further evaluate and adjust the design to resolve comments and concerns received from the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Yes, VDOT will have to approve certain design elements and permits as part of the project. VDOT will also be involved in the final design of the project. Once the project is completed, maintenance and ownership of the roadway will be handed over to VDOT.
Yes, Fairfax County will have to review and approve the part of the project that is within Fairfax County. PWC DOT will coordinate with Fairfax County throughout the Design and Engineering Phase.
Traffic analysis and noise study are currently ongoing. The traffic analysis is expected to be completed in early 2024. The outcomes from all studies and analyses will be utilized in the design decision-making process. All findings will be published on route28bypass.com and shared in public meetings.
We are looking at FEMA guidelines and will consider all options to reduce the impacts of flooding as the Route 28 Bypass design moves forward which may include: relocating residents out of the flood zones and performing stream restoration to increase capacity. The PWC DOT will also be complete additional flood analysis by installing flood gauges in the area to address community concerns.
Yes, the Route 28 Bypass will include a shared use path along the length of the new roadway.
My Environment
We are looking at FEMA guidelines and will consider all options to reduce the impacts of flooding as the Route 28 Bypass design moves forward which may include: relocating residents out of the flood zones and performing stream restoration to increase capacity. The PWC DOT will also complete additional flood analysis by installing flood gauges in the area to address community concerns.
Initial coordination has begun with the Army Corps of Engineers. PWC DOT will submit permit applications for the Route 28 Bypass at 60% design, which is anticipated to occur in 2024.
If the US Army Corps of Engineers does not approve and release the permit, the engineering team will have to further evaluate and adjust the design to resolve comments and concerns received from the US Army Corps of Engineers.
The traffic analysis is expected to be completed in early 2024. The outcomes from those studies and analyses will be utilized in the design decision-making process. All findings will be published on route28bypass.com and shared in public meetings.
My Commute
Regional Tie-In & Connections
The preliminary alignment indicates that the Route 28 Bypass will connect to Route 28 utilizing part of Ordway Road and turning east to connect to existing Route 28 south of Compton Road and north of Bull Run.
However, until the Design and Engineering Phase is complete, we will not know the definitive location of the bypass.
PWC DOT will coordinate with Fairfax County during the Design and Engineering Phase. Fairfax County will review and need to approve plans for the section of the project within Fairfax County. PWC DOT will consult Fairfax County residents throughout the Design and Engineering of the project and will provide property owners the opportunity to share input throughout the project. Prince William County in coordination with Fairfax County will host numerous information meetings to ensure that residents are aware of the latest developments. Materials from the most recent community information session can be found on the project website under Project Resources.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has not taken any action regarding this project. The current plans largely anticipate improvements in Fairfax County to remain primarily along the Ordway Road Corridor. Based on these plans, the northern portion of Ordway Road would remain a two-lane roadway. The project corridor and potential impacts identified on the southern portion of Ordway Road will be refined throughout the design process and will likely be significantly reduced.
In coordination with the City of Manassas during their design to improve and widen Sudley Road, the City will be installing turn lanes at the intersection at Sudley Road and Godwin Drive, which will be finished by the time construction of the Bypass begins.
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© Copyright 2021, Route 28 Bypass Project.
This site was designed with accessibility in mind. If something does not meet your needs, please contact us and we will update the site.
© Copyright 2021, Route 28 Bypass Project.
