PHNST Gap Feasibility Study
Funded by a Federal Lands Access Program grant, DPR contracted a consultant to evaluate the feasibility of closing three gaps in the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST) route through the County. Gap 1 is from the Town of Occoquan to the Belmont Bay community, Gap 2 is in the Town of Dumfries, and Gap 3 is from the entrance of the Prince William Forest Park to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. DPR staff and the consultant team worked with stakeholders to develop criteria for evaluating potential alignments, and the consultant made recommendations for the most feasible route.
The routes recommended by the study do not preclude the future planning of the PHNST route, and DPR will continue to evaluate opportunities to provide improved alignments throughout the County, including the study gap areas.
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Gap Area 1 begins around the Town of Occoquan in the north and continues south along the Occoquan River in the east and Occoquan Road to the west eventually ending south of Route 1 near Belmont Bay.
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Gap Area 2 is located around the town of Dumfries and includes portions of the town with an easternmost boundary following Duke Street and Batestown Road before crossing under I-95 and following Van Buren Road towards Prince William Forest Park.
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Gap Area 3 is located around the interchange of I-95 and Joplin Road beginning in the west at the entrance to Prince William Forest Park and continuing east along Joplin Road before moving South along Route 1 and terminating at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
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Public Meetings
Expand all- Gap 1 Stakeholder Meeting - 9/18/2024
The consultant team and DPR Staff worked with stakeholders to identify barriers to trail development and to create analysis criteria for potential alignments. The meeting slides and recording are available below.
- Gaps 2&3 Stakeholder Meeting - 9/25/2024
The consultant team and DPR Staff worked with stakeholders to identify barriers to trail development and to create analysis criteria for potential alignments. The meeting slides and recording are available below.
- Gaps 2&3 Stakeholder Update - 2/20/25
The consultant team presented the recommendations of their analysis on Gaps 2&3. The meeting slides and recording are available below
- Gap 1 Stakeholder Update - 2/26/25
The consultant team presented the recommendations of their analysis on Gaps 2&3. The meeting slides and recording are available below