The draft FY27 budget for Prince William County includes the now-standard $1 million/year for trail projects, plus a one-time $4 million addition to extend the Neabsco Boardwalk through Metz Wetland to Leesylvania State Park.
However, in FY28 the trails funding drops back to just $1 million/year.
Trail advocates have proposed a steady $5 million/year through FY32. Though sidewalks are costing $15 million/mile, just $5 million/year could produce significant tangible results if directed to projects that do not require expensive bridges or land acquisition.
There are about 300 miles of planned-but-unbuilt trails in the Mobility Chapter of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, as displayed in the County Mapper. The Trails Master Plan, coming to the Board of County Supervisors soon for approval, finally will provide cost estimates. The road projects approved in the 2040 Mobility Chapter were estimated back in 2022 to cost $7 billion. Yes, billion.
The planned bike/pedestrian network includes both “active mobility” trails (typically paved Shared Use Paths parallel to roads) and “recreational” trails within county parks and greenways. Costs for 300+ new miles of those two types of trails will reflect the high, post-COVID construction prices.
Fortunately, some projects are “low-hanging fruit” that could be completed with less expense and less delay than the major trail segments – see specific suggestions.
