Ferry service, high-speed rail top supervisors' agenda

By: Cheryl Chumley | InsideNova
Published: September 15, 2009

Prince William County supervisors emerge today from a six-week summer break for a meeting slated to be dominated by transportation issues.

First up is a presentation from an aide to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on the latest on extending high-speed rail service from Washington to Richmond.

"Federal focus on passenger/intercity rail has accelerated," state background documents for the supervisors. "The federal adoption in October 2008 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act … was the first step. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's $8 billion" for approved high-speed rail corridors was the next.

Virginia is key to the rail construction plan, as it would serve as the link between the existing Northeast Corridor and the developing Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor.

The state has applied for $72 million in stimulus funds for rail infrastructure improvements between Powell's Creek in Prince William and Arkendale in Stafford County. Supervisors will discuss endorsing this measure at their meeting.

At the evening portion of the meeting, at 7:30 p.m., supervisors will receive a presentation on the county's commuter ferry study.

Following that, Supervisor Frank Principi, D-Woodbridge, plans to request his colleagues' support of the study and ask staff to "examine all possible funding opportunities" for a commuter ferry market analysis.

In other matters, supervisors will also hear, again, about the establishment of an Animal Advisory Committee to help with shelter issues.

Staff writer Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.