Prince William County Democratic Committee

When President Teddy Roosevelt traveled to Jamestown in 1907 to celebrate the 300^th anniversary of the founding of our colony he did not face today’s transportation congestion, but he got it right when he told the crowd of thousands that the most important quality of any public official is “foresight.” Now a century later, for those who question why we should support the efforts of Congressman Gerry Connolly and Delegate Paul Nichols in their quest to bring Metro to Prince William, I would suggest that we heed the excellent advice of that great American president.

From 1975 to 1980 Prince William County was represented in Congress by Herb Harris. His hard-fought efforts were critical in having Metro extended to Springfield/ Franconia. Before leaving office he believed that the next Metro extension south should be to Ft. Belvoir. If his “foresight” had been implemented we would have had in place a critical component of the solution to the transportation gridlock at our doorsteps. This has become immensely important with the BRAC military realignment bringing thousands of new jobs and commuters to Fort Belvoir as well as the additional military expansion at Quantico Marine Corps Base. Now almost three decades later Congressman Connolly and Delegate Nichols are to be commended for their transportation initiatives. They “get it” and recognize that Metro is a key component in solving the transportation puzzle in Prince William. These elected representatives understand that the transportation mix also includes car pools, “slugs”, commuter buses, bus rapid transit, VRE, road construction and quite possibly a commuter ferry.

Yes, Metro to Prince William will not happen overnight, but we need our elected leaders to carry the fight now. The Virginia Railway Express has been a grand success, and I take some satisfaction in sponsoring the legislation creating the VRE and our Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation District. Later, while serving as chairman of the VRE Operations Board, we launched the inauguration of Northern Virginia’s commuter train service in 1992. However, before that exciting day took place, we spent years overcoming one obstacle after another to finally yell out “ALL ABOARD.” As much as I promote VRE and appreciate the transportation benefits it provides, it has one current drawback of significance: VRE is not bi-directional in service. Unlike Metro, VRE track usage limits it to northbound trains in the morning and southbound in the evening. Metro to Prince William, including Potomac Mills, would provide north and southbound service all day. Not only would it be a boon to our commuters, and support a clean environment by leaving our cars at home, it would be an engine for economic development in our county. The new Metro line to Tysons Corner and Dulles Airport will extend into Loudoun County. It does not come to Prince William. It is our turn! We need Metro and our commuters and businesses deserve it. The employment centers located around Metro stops in Prince William will increase our tax base, create jobs, ease congestion, save dollars at the gas pump, and help the environment. It’s a win-win scenario for the citizens of Prince William.

There are those that dismiss Metro and push instead for high speed rail as a commuter solution. I have been participating in the Phase II Environmental Impact Study for the Southeast High Speed Rail Project. It’s a great project and we need high speed rail as an alternate to air or vehicular travel from major city to city. If funded in the future it will whisk people from Raleigh to Richmond to Washington and beyond. But it will not be a commuter train from the suburbs to the cities, and it has never been envisioned to be one. That’s the purpose of Metrorail and why we need it here. Congressman Connolly and Delegate Nichols know this effort will not happen overnight, but these efforts should be applauded for their “foresight” as urged on in the past by a dynamic former president, and needed now by our friends, neighbors and fellow commuters.

David Brickley served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1976 to 1998, and was Director of the Virginia Department of Conservation from 1998 to 2002.In addition to legislation creating the VRE, and Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation District; he sponsored other transportation legislation including establishing the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Compact and the Route 28 Transportation District.