ONLY ON NEWSCHANNEL 8

LAKE RIDGE, Va. - A recent report revealed Virginia has spent less of its federal stimulus money than any other state, allegedly hampering efforts to jumpstart the local economy.

Officials have decided to spend more than $9 million on an expansion of the Prince William Parkway.  But some residents are asking whether this will decrease congestion problems, or aggravate them.

Skip Munster has lived in the Lake Ridge area for about 25 years, so he can speak from experience when he says the state's plan to expand a section of Prince William Parkway is a good idea.

The building in Prince William County (web | news) has always gone faster than the transportation," Munster said. "It's getting to the point where there's an amazing amount of traffic out here in the middle of the afternoon."

The state plans to spend $9.1 million to make the one-mile strip between Old Bridge and Hoadly roads six lanes wide. The project would theoretically promote job growth and decrease traffic, but not all residents are as bullish about the idea.

"Some of that money could be used in other ways," said Percell Walker, who worries an expanded parkway will only bring more traffic and more pollution. "Between here and Manassas, there won't be woods or anything like that."

Parts of the parkway are already six lanes wide, and Prince William County transportation officials say the planned expansion will help fill in the gaps. The county will have to purchase additional land and move utility lines.

If all goes as planned the expansion should be complete by February 2012.

 Email To Friend