Parkways to Dulles May Get Economic Benefits Study

Del. Richard Anderson wants the state to study the economic benefits of building either of two major road systems called the Tri-County and Bi-County parkways that would connect Prince William County to Dulles International Airport.

Anderson, R-Woodbridge, introduced House Joint Resolution 134 this morning as the General Assembly is in day two of its eight-week session in Richmond. According to the resolution, Dulles International Airport is an economic engine with almost 100,000 jobs and more than $10 billion in economic activity. But the lack of roadways to the airport from the north, south and west “will invariably stifle future growth.”

The Commonwealth Transportation Board has long discussed the importance of developing new connections to the Dulles airport, but Anderson wants to take it a step further by having the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission study the potential economic impacts of the two parkways. Anderson indicates that if these roads were constructed, they would likely spark commercial activity and job creation in the corridor.

The resolution requires the JLARC to complete its meetings by Nov. 30 and submit its findings and recommendations no later than Jan. 1, 2013.

The Tri-County Parkway would be a north-south link connecting the western edge of Manassas to the Dulles corridor. The Commonwealth Transportation Board in 2005 approved the location of the 10.4-mile roadway north of Interstate 66 from Route 234 to Route 50 in Loudoun County. Back then, the cost was estimated to be $201 million.

The Bi-County Parkway would be a north-south limited-access road connecting Route 234 at Interstate 66 in Prince William County north to Route 50 and then to Route 7 in Loudoun County. The Commonwealth Transportation Board picked this road as the alternative to the Tri-County Parkway. A 2005 study states that the Bi-County Parkway corridor would have fewer neighborhood and environmental impacts, but it wouldn’t be the most beneficial for economic development in the area. Both Prince William and Loudoun counties included the Bi-County Parkway in their comprehensive land use plans.

Anderson filed 14 other bills this year:

• HB1049: Income tax; STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) internship tax credit.
• HB1050: Income tax; tax credit for hiring military persons as STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mat
• HB1051: Primary elections; voter registration by political party.
• HB1052: Carrying weapons in air carrier airport terminals; removing prohibition against carrying firearms.
• HB1053: Texting while driving.
• HB1054: Public records; retention and destruction of original records by clerk.
• HB1055: Voter registration; return of voter registration applications.
• HB1056: Determination of status of unclaimed cremains belonging to veterans.
• HB1057: Elections; military and overseas voters.
• HB1058: Advertising within the limits of a highway.
• HB1059: Appeals to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
• HB1060: Arresting officer to ascertain citizenship of arrestee.
• HJ135: United States Constitution; amendment.
• HJ136: Study; JLARC; determination eligibility for disability claims under the Virginia Retirement System;