On April 23, we lost a great member of our community—Dr. Kitty P. Smith. She passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family and close friends. Kitty was a long-time Fauquier resident, and worked tirelessly over the past several decades to support land conservation and good land use planning in Fauquier County.
Maps & Resources
Outer Beltway Update
The Bi-County Parkway project, a key component of the Outer Beltway scheme, is on hold… for now.
Explore Warrenton Trails
See a map with Warrenton’s trails, and find out where to view additional trail maps in Fauquier County.
This is Big!
The opening of the Silver Line this past July was an important step toward a better future for the Washington metropolitan region and the Commonwealth of Virginia. For decades, Tysons has been an example of 20th century development, urban and suburban areas that don’t quite work—too many cars, no sidewalks and not enough green space.
On the Ground
Read On the Ground updates for Albemarle, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock Counties.
Route 29 Improvements on Track in Charlottesville
In our last newsletter, we shared great news regarding the demise of the ill-conceived Western Bypass. As you might recall, a major blow to the project had been delivered back in February, when the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced serious reservations about the viability of the project. It made it clear that the necessary federal approvals were indoubt unless VDOT reevaluated the entire project, including a new review of alternatives.
Western Bypass Shelved
Big things are happening, or rather not happening, with the costly Western Bypass of U.S. Route 29 just north of Charlottesville. We’re enthusiastic to report that the ineffective project has come to a halt, and we’re hoping this time it will be a permanent road block. With the Bypass off the table, we can finally get to work on fixing Route 29 for the majority of its travelers.
Coming Together to Save the Historic Waterloo Bridge
Last fall, VDOT announced plans to possibly close the Waterloo Bridge to vehicular traffic due to safety concerns. PEC shared the news with local community groups and historic preservation advocates, which sparked overwhelming support for the bridge’s rehabilitation—support that transcended the usual demographics and organization affiliations.
The Great Homecoming: An Open House at the McAllister Cabin
Despite some rainy weather, nearly 250 people visited the McAllister Home as part of an event that celebrated Albemarle’s Mountain Heritage. Bob and Carroll Gilges, who own the building and surrounding land, graciously opened their property to the community for the event. PEC sponsored and organized the celebration with help from Doug Decker, Phil James, and Larry and Debbie Lamb, who had family connections to Sugar Hollow and throughout Albemarle County.
Area Residents Give to Greenway Expansion
Give Local Piedmont was a community-wide online giving challenge that sought to inspire folks to make donations of $10 or more to local nonprofits for 24 hours on May 6. Part of a national campaign, Give Local Piedmont supported the effort for Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison and Rappahannock Counties. And the good news is—it worked!