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Washington, DC -- Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) voted to pass the “Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act,” which includes funding for a new interchange at Route 7 and Route 690 (Hillsboro Road) in Purcellville and the revitalization of Mathis Corridor in Manassas. Wexton fought to ensure the projects were included in the INVEST in America Act, which makes transformational investments in America’s highways, roads, bridges, transit, rail, and water infrastructure to create jobs, modernize our infrastructure, and reduce carbon pollution. This legislation puts some of the key pieces of President Biden’s infrastructure vision into legislative text.

“The bipartisan INVEST in America Act that we passed today will take long-overdue and much-needed action to repair and upgrade our nation's roads, bridges, and railways,” said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. “I'm proud to have successfully fought to include key infrastructure priorities for our district in this legislation. The Route 7 and Hillsboro Road interchange project will significantly reduce traffic and improve connectivity and accessibility in and around the Town of Purcellville. The revitalization of Mathis Corridor in Manassas is going to be crucial to bringing new economic development to the community and enhancing safety and travel efficiency. I’ll continue to be a strong advocate on behalf of our district's localities and fight to ensure this historic infrastructure investment meets the needs of Virginians.”

Route 7 and Hillsboro Road Interchange
The Route 7 and Hillsboro Road interchange project will increase the connectivity in the roadway network around Purcellville and provide a more direct route on major roadways to areas north and north east of the Route 7 bypass, including the schools complex at Woodgrove High School and Mountain View Elementary on Allder School Road (Route 711). The existing roadway network does not provide an ease of access for the local community to points north and northeast, particularly with the recent completion of Woodgrove High School northeast of the overpass. To access the schools complex, drivers from the west, southwest, and east are forced to use a network of narrow and unsurfaced roads, or travel through downtown Purcellville.

Mathis Corridor Revitalization
The Mathis Corridor revitalization project will increase vehicular and pedestrian safety and operational efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, support resiliency and sustainability and enhance quality of life, and create additional economic opportunities along the corridor. The project consists of new sidewalks in all four quadrants with marked crosswalks and pedestrian refuges to enable pedestrians to cross only one direction of traffic at a time and safely wait for a gap in the other direction of traffic. The results of a roundabout feasibility study indicate average vehicle delay savings of 30 seconds per vehicle during the peak hours and of 18 seconds per vehicle during off-peak hours. Cumulatively, in its first year of operation, the roundabout will save more than 16,000 hours of delay in the AM and PM peak hours of travel. A cost-benefit analysis shows the project benefits of $20.7 million and a positive return on capital investment.

The INVEST in America Act also includes the Metro Accountability and Investment Act, legislation Congresswoman Wexton cosponsored that would reauthorize and increase federal funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for ten years contingent on WMATA strengthening its Office of Inspector General and making additional safety and accountability reforms.

Read more on how the INVEST in America Act would:

Create Jobs and Restore Our Global Competitiveness
Invest in Underserved, Low-Income, and Rural Communities
Tackle Climate Change
Increase Safety and Support Alternative Transportation

Additional Resources on the INVEST in America Act: 

Fact Sheet
FAQs
Funding Highlights

Website: https://transportation.house.gov/invest-in-america 

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