Parkway project attracts supporters

Town of Front Royal:

“The long-awaited Leach Run Parkway project likely could affect many area residents and property owners when complete. More than two dozen people showed up to a public information meeting for the project on Wednesday at the Warren County Community Center. Representatives with the project engineer, Pennoni Associates, as well as officials from Front Royal, Warren County and Economic Development Authority provided information and answered questions.

Plans call for the four-lane, divided parkway to connect Happy Creek Road to John Marshall Highway (Va. 55). The design includes sidewalks and bicycle paths as well as a median and trees. The project does not include a section to the north of Happy Creek Road and extending to the Shenandoah Shores area as shown in earlier designs. The Virginia Department of Transportation covers half of the $12 million cost. The county covers 66 percent and the town 34 percent of the remaining cost.

Most of the those attending spoke favorably about the project, saying the town and county have needed the north-south bypass for a long time. Michael Henderson lives on John Marshall Highway at the corner of the proposed intersection with Leach Run Parkway. Henderson said he bought the property about 12 years ago. The Virginia Department of Transportation must acquire his property to make way for the road, a retention pond and to create the sight distance needed for the intersection.”

~Writes Alex Bridges of the NV Daily

Click here to learn more

Bus loop eyed for Freezeland Road area

Warren County:

“A rural part of Warren County may soon get a place for parents to drop off and pick up school-aged children. The Board of Supervisors last week voted to accept a deed of a gift from the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries for approximately 3.19 acres of land on Freezeland Road. The county proposes to build a commuter parking lot with a bus loop for students. The facility would serve primarily the Shenandoah Farms and Blue Mountain communities.

County Administrator Douglas Stanley said Thursday that construction of the facility may not happen for another one to three years. The county needs to set aside funds to build the facility that Stanley said would compare to one it operates in Linden Park. Once the transfer of the property goes through, Stanley said the county would move forward on designing the facility. The county would need approval from the Virginia Department of Transportation for the design. The Planning Commission also would need to approve the site as a park.”

~Writes Alex Bridges of Northern Virginia Daily

Click here to learn more