Prince William County officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking on May 5 at the intersection of Prince William Parkway and Minnieville Road to mark the start of construction for a new interchange. The project aims to improve traffic flow and safety for both drivers and pedestrians in an area experiencing significant daily traffic.
The $81 million initiative will route Prince William Parkway under Minnieville Road, increasing capacity at a major intersection. The improvements are expected to support future growth related to the Quartz District, which is planned as a mixed-use commercial center with surrounding residential development at the northwest quadrant of the intersection.
Victor Angry, Neabsco District Supervisor and Vice Chair of the Board of County Supervisors, said during the ceremony that modernizing this corridor will help support continued development in eastern Prince William County. “So for years, we’ve heard from the residents about development. And as we develop, we’ve heard that one thing that we haven’t done well is infrastructure. The interchange behind you… was rated at a D rating, which is one of the worst in VDOT. But the upgrades that we’re doing… will take it from a D rating to a B rating. And at the same time of doing this project, it ties very much closely to the Quartz project that you see behind us, as well,” said Angry.
Deshundra Jefferson, Chair At-Large for Prince William County, said: “This interchange is truly the foundation that makes the Quartz District possible. The interchange will reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and increase safety for drivers and pedestrians alike. Projects like this continue to exemplify why we are a vibrant, growing and diverse community.”
County Executive Chris Shorter described how longstanding congestion issues have affected quality of life along this corridor: “This project is our response. It is about reducing congestion and improving travel times for families. It is about enhancing safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike. And it is about supporting continued growth in a way that is smart, that is strategic and that is aligned with our long-term vision. This investment reflects the priorities outlined in the county’s strategic plan, particularly around mobility, economic growth and building a community that invests in quality of life for everyone,” said Shorter.
Phyllis Randall, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Board Chair, highlighted regional collaboration required for such projects: “When we talk about regional collaboration, and when NVTA says ‘We put money in for congestion relief relative to cost,’ what we know is this corridor in this area is not just important to people who are going to be in Prince William County but all [of]the entire region which is why it was important for NVTA to put money into this effort,” Randall said.
The construction contract was awarded to Lane Construction Corporation after Rinker Design Associates completed design work earlier this year; work began in early March with completion anticipated by spring 2028.
