Friends Position Statement
The Friends advocate funding and constructing viable bypasses that will relocate commuter traffic and not damage the Manassas Battlefield NOW, before growing traffic demands render it untenable to close the roads within the Park.
The Friends cannot condone nor support locating a major through highway on any undeveloped border of the Battlefield.
Build viable bypasses and close Rtes 29 and 234 within the MNBP to through traffic:
- It is essential that commuter traffic be relocated if the Battlefield's integrity is to be first restored and then preserved for future generations. This Battlefield Bypass Study constitutes our one and only opportunity to relocate Rtes 29 and 234 traffic.
- It is also essential that commuters be provided efficient and safe alternatives that will relieve the present congestion and frustration caused by the traffic gridlock within the Park.
Oppose a Bypass Study No Action recommendation:
We believe that a No Action recommendation would virtually doom any hope of relocating Rtes 29 and 234. We also expect at least US 29 would be widened to four lanes through the very heart of the Park if the concept of constructing bypasses is rejected.
Advocate a Modified Build Alternative G:
- Modify the Study's Alt. G design for the Rte 234 bypass to minimize adverse impact on the MNBP.
- Relocate Rte 234 onto an upgraded Pageland Lane that is connected to a completed I-66 / US 29 / Rte 234 Bypass interchange. This option becomes feasible IF the Study's Rte 234 bypass (designated the Rte 234 Bypass Extension) is not incorporated into a major north-south commuter/trucking corridor connecting Prince William and Loudoun Counties.
- IF the extension of Rte 234 Bypass to Loudoun County is built, modify the Study's design to remove any separated grade construction at the location of the present US 29 / Pageland Lane intersection.
Reject the Study's Build Alternatives A, B, C and D:
- Each of these Build Alts. would unnecessarily intrude on uncorrupted historic viewsheds, and demean and degrade the MNBP by their presence.
- None of these Build Alts. would be as efficient in relieving area traffic congestion as our modified Build Alt. G.
Advocate closing Groveton Road / Featherbed Lane to through traffic when Rtes 29 and 234 are closed to through traffic within the Park.
Advocate commitment by Virginia to transferring VDOT owned right-of-way for Rtes 29 and 234, and Groveton Road / Featherbed Lane within the Park to the National Park Service (NPS) on completion of viable Rtes 29 and 234 bypasses.
Advocate commitment by NPS to provide the additional MNBP funding necessary to staff at least one controlled entrance gate to the Battlefield, and to properly maintain the present Rtes 29 and 234 and Groveton Road / Featherbed Lane within the Park.
Restoration of the Intersection at the Stone House and Roads within the Park:
Once commuter traffic is removed from the Battlefield, it will be feasible to take the following measures to restore the Park:
- Restore the Stone House intersection as was promised by Frank Wolf and others during the 29 / 234 intersection improvements negotiations.
- Reduce speed limits to accommodate Park visitors.
- Determine if it would be safe for bicycles to negotiate the roads to the tour stop park outs within the Battlefield, and provide bicycle racks at these park outs (bicycles would still be prohibited on the hiking and equestrian trails).
Friends Strategy
During DEIS Phase of Study
Continue to take an active role as a Section 106 Consulting Party in the DEIS Phase of the Study:
- Continue to advocate measures that would minimize adverse impacts on the cultural resources within and in the vicinity of the MNBP.
- Insist the desecration of the historic interpretive sites within the MNBP by the presence of the existing Rtes 29 and 234 is adequately documented by the Study DEIS.
- Promote ensuring a direct comparison between No Action and each of the Build Alts.' impacts on the cultural resources within the MNBP.
- Seek a revised and more accurate modeling of the adverse impacts on the MNBP by the most likely transportation system to result from the efforts of the Bypass Study (see the critique of the Study's DEIS on the Friends Bypass Logic Page).
Continue to lobby VDOT and local County governments:
- Promote acceptance of and support for the modified Alt. G build option.
- Promote support and preference for the Tri-County Parkway (TCP) east of the MNBP instead of extending the Rte 234 Bypass into Loudoun County. Urge the TCP final design include bridging Bull Run Regional Park to mitigate impact on that facility's resources, and realign the TCP to spare the horse stables east of the MNBP.
- Promote the acquisition of historic easements along any highways constructed west or north of the MNBP.
- Promote the preservation of the rural crescent north of the MNBP.
- Seek opportunities to influence Virginia's Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTP) to authorize the TCP east of the MNBP (TCP Alts. E and F) instead of extending Rte 234 Bypass into Loudoun County (TCP Alt. C).
Key Player: Frank Wolf
Recognize that Congressman Frank Wolf will continue to play a critical role in determining if any Study recommendation receives federal funding.
- Frank Wolf's congressional district includes the Manassas Battlefield.
- Frank Wolf is former chairman and remains a very influential member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation which will eventually consider any federal funding for the bypasses (House rules limit Appropriations subcommittee chairmanships to three terms).
- Frank Wolf has repeatedly shown a personal interest in, and has supported and protected the Battlefield in the past.
- Frank Wolf authored the 1988 legislation that authorized the Bypass Study.
Form and Join a Coalition to Obtain the Best Bypass Option:
- Coordinate our campaign with national, regional, and local organizations.
- Coordinate with existing home owner associations and help organize residential communities that would be adversely affected by the proposed bypasses.
- Continue to sponsor public information meetings and provide forums for community action.
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