Provided by Prince William Conservation Alliance | Photos by Rob Jinks
Thanks to the partnership formed by the Prince William Conservation Alliance, Prince William County Supervisors and the Commonwealth Transportation Board have approved the designation of several important roads in Prince William County as the first Scenic Byways in the county, adding nearly 40 miles to Virginia’s Byways network.
“These new Scenic Byways are an important step in showcasing and protecting our unique natural and cultural resources, a legacy for future generations,” said Kim Hosen, executive director of Prince William Conservation Alliance.
The county roads that make up the byways have idyllic views of 11 nationally recognized historic sites and two state-listed historic sites, as well as some of Prince William County’s most cherished places, including forests, mountains, working farms, historic homes, churches and cemeteries.
The following roads make up Prince William County’s new scenic byways. A map of the roads is available online at pwconserve.org/issues/scenicbyways/main.html.
- Aden Road – between Route 619 and Route 28
- Bristow Road – between Joplin Road (Route 619) and Route 28
- Joplin Road – between Bristow Road and I-95
- Waterfall Road – Fauquier County line east to the intersection of Antioch Rd.
- Antioch Road – from the Route 601 intersection south to Route 55
- John Marshall Highway – from Route 681 to the Fauquier County line
Virginia’s Scenic Byway designation supports the goals laid out by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, including preserving and protecting natural beauty, cultural resources, water quality, property values, quality of life and ecological diversity.
Brentsville Supervisor Janine Lawson notes, “Creating scenic byways in Prince William County is a way to protect some of the beautiful viewscapes across our county. These byways also support our efforts to protect and promote the natural rural beauty of the Rural Crescent.”
Gary Garczynski, Vice-Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, says “Although our Transportation needs continue to grow it is important that we strike a balance and preserve these scenic byways that make Virginia… Virginia!”
