Governor sees green light for Bi-County Parkway
http://www.insidenova.com/news/loudoun/governor-sees-green-light-for-bi-county-parkway/article_1ee6b3d8-f848-54b8-8f0e-1102897f68eb.html
Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) said Wednesday that he expects the Bi-County Parkway to receive a high priority rating among transportation projects being considered in Northern Virginia.
“We have to open up Dulles airport,” McAuliffe said. “We will have a resolution relatively quickly.”
McAuliffe made the comment in response to a question from Washington Airports Task Force President Keith Merlin after speaking at a Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday.
The governor indicated the Bi-County Parkway, long proposed to connect Prince William and Loudoun counties, had just entered the priority review process mandated by the General Assembly for all new transportation projects. That review is designed to rank projects based on a matrix of factors that includes congestion mitigation, economic development, accessibility, safety and environmental quality.
McAuliffe pointed to stalled growth in Dulles Airport’s passenger counts as a key concern. While efforts are being made to add new flights—such as Air China’s direct connections to Beijing that began last week—increased cargo operations will be important to keep the airport growing, he said.
Bi-County Parkway advocates say the new road is needed to facilitate cargo transports. Critics say the project would be a misuse of road construction funds needed to free up other travel choke points in the region.