VA Officials Call for Metro Extension to Woodbridge

In Virginia, elected officials in Prince William County are pressing for an extension of Metrorail service south, to the city of Woodbridge.

The first recorded mention of rail service to Dulles airport occurs in a federal paper written nearly five decades agoCongressman Gerry Connolly says Woodbridge needs things to happen a lot faster.

"That's warp speed in federal terms," Connolly said. "But we can't afford to wait another 47 years in Prince William County.

With steady rush hour traffic as a backdrop Connolly joined state delegate Paul Nichols, and other local officials Thursday afternoon to present a united front in the fight for a Metro rail extension.

Nichols says Metro isnt just a key to solving gridlock.

He says it's essential if Woodbridge ever hopes to attract new businesses.

"We have to have a mass transit option, and it has to be linked to the Washington area," he said.

While many residents say theyre supportive of Metro service many say it would be foolish to expect it anytime soon.

Hope Holley falls into that camp.

"It's many years down the line," she said. "It's not going to be quick."

Congressman Connolly has proposed a bill calling for feasibility studies on extending Metros Blue, Orange, and Yellow Lines farther into Northern Virginia.

Jonathan Wilson reports...