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Manassas to partner with Manassas Park and Prince William County on 3-mile rail-with-trail study
Summary
The city will be the lead jurisdiction on a feasibility study and MOU to examine a three‑mile multiuse trail adjacent to the VRE Manassas line between downtown Manassas and the Bull Run Trail; the three jurisdictions will each contribute roughly $90,000 for the planning phase and staff asked to place the MOU on the April 28 consent agenda.
City staff told the Committee of the Whole they plan to place Resolution R2025-733 and an associated memorandum of understanding on the April 28 consent agenda for a feasibility study of a three‑mile rail-with-trail adjacent to the VRE Manassas line.
Staff said the City of Manassas will serve as lead jurisdiction for the planning phase. Each participating jurisdiction — Manassas, Manassas Park and Prince William County — will contribute about $90,000 for the study; staff said the city’s share is about $88,000. The study would analyze feasibility and alignment from downtown Manassas to the Bull Run Trail and connections across Bull Run into Fairfax County.
Chloe, the presenting staff member, described the proposal as a first phase of a longer corridor identified in regional planning documents that could eventually reach Alexandria. "The purpose of the trail is to have a long distance off road trail to connect multiple jurisdictions and eventually to all the way to Washington DC and the core region," the presenter said on the record.
Staff described the planned three‑mile phase as multiuse for pedestrians and bicyclists and said it would connect downtown Manassas, the VRE station and parks, and could link into the 17‑mile Bull Run Trail on the Fairfax County side; the study will evaluate points where the alignment should cross the tracks. Manassas Park has already approved its participation, and staff said Prince William County will consider the MOU at a county board meeting on May 13.
Staff said a positive feasibility outcome would allow jurisdictions to seek NVTA and other funding during the regional programming cycle, with potential design and construction funding applications in FY31–FY32. No council vote was held at the work session; staff requested placement of the resolution and MOU on the April 28 consent agenda.
