Last update Apr 22, 2007

Editorial Friends of Manassas National Battlefield Park

Ed Bearss is a most eminent historian, the Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service. He is also renowned as a dedicated proponent of preserving historical sites.

Manassas National Battlefield Park Bypass EIS c/o Parsons Transportation Group Inc. of Virginia 11320 Random Hills Road, Suite 100 Fairfax, VA 22030 Dear Study Group: The Friends of Manassas National Battlefield Park recognize that the optimum driving conditions for Park visitors touring the Manassas Battlefield are fundamentally incompatible with the expectations of our neighbors attempting to transit the Park while commuting or running errands. This proposal addresses this frustrating situation by providing separate routes for visitors and through traffic, thereby relieving the traffic congestion within and associated with the Battlefield. The most valuable aspect of the Manassas Battlefield resides in the nearly authentic preservation of most of the land where Civil War armies clashed in two great battles. Only by hiking across the expanses of fields where those armies once trod, by walking through woods where the besieged once sought shelter, and by crossing the streams that once impeded the advance of artillery, can visitors truly visualize and fully appreciate the trials of those who labored and fought there. Visitors are urged to retrace the progress of the battles by driving to strategically located parking lots and exploring specific episodes of the battles on connecting interpretive trails. Those dedicated individuals and members of guided tours who set out to experience the major developments of both battles discover this endeavor entails crisscrossing the Battlefield for at least a full day. In fact, to follow the sequential progress of both battles necessitates negotiating the major intersection within the Park (the junction of US 29 and VA 234) at least nine times, and at least some of these passages will typically occur during rush hour. During rush hour, traffic congestion on US 29 and VA 234 effectively divides the Park into quadrants, discouraging the methodical exploration that is so crucial to understanding the deployment of troops during both battles. Is it any wonder that most Park visitors only spend a few hours on the Battlefield, and many never explore beyond Henry Hill? To permit continued traffic congestion within the Park to discourage visitors from fully utilizing the rare assets of the Manassas Battlefield is a grave disservice to the Public whose tax dollars support our National Parks. The situation is no less frustrating for local through traffic, especially for commuters caught up in rush hour. The high priority assigned to preserving the precious historic land within the Battlefield has doomed modifications that would benefit the commuter, such as four lane thoroughfares with ample shoulders and generous turn lanes. The reduced speed limits on Routes 29 and 234 within the Park are compromises between accommodating tourists, and the needs of through traffic to get on to their destinations. We feel it is important that the region's residents regard the Manassas Battlefield as a good neighbor, and not as a source of frustration. With that in mind, we sought to recommend bypasses for US 29 and VA 234 that would be more convenient than the existing routes for local residents, and that would provide better access to major transportation corridors and to area businesses. Please feel free to contact us if we can be of further assistance. Appreciating your every consideration, I am

Yours Truly, Edwin C. Bearss President, Friends of MNBP NPS Chief Historian Emeritus