Virginia State Route 674 (Prince William County) and Wellington Road (Manassas, Virginia)
Encyclopedia
State Route 674 is a secondary state highway
in the U.S. state
of Virginia
, and traverses western Prince William County
. SR 674 is known by only one name, Wellington Road. Wellington Road in Manassas
is included in this article because, together, the roads form a major connector between eastern Prince William County and Gainesville
. The main connecting route between these two communities is the Prince William Parkway
with Interstate 66
; however, Wellington Road provides a well-traveled backup route.
, Linton Hall Road. For the next 0.65 miles (1 km) it forms the southern boundary of the Virginia Gateway Center. This distinction is due to expire within the next few years, as additional portions of the outdoor shopping mall are constructed on the opposite side of SR 674. On the Virginia Gateway interactive map, the "Market Square (commercial)" and "Wentworth Green (residential)" sections are both south of SR 674, and are yet to be built.
As one travels east on SR 674, one approaches University Boulevard, SR 840. This section of SR 840 goes over I-66 and intersects with US 29
east of the Gainesville I-66 interchange.
Once past SR 840, SR 674 passes the Jiffy Lube Live, formerly Nissan Pavilion. This is the site of much congestion on concert and event days, and extra police are routinely dispatched there to make traffic flow more smoothly.
Shortly after there is an intersection with SR 621, Balls Ford Road and Devlin Road in Bristow
. If one follows Balls Ford Road one will end up in Manassas, whereas if one follows Devlin Road one will end up in residential portions of Bristow. After this intersection SR 674 gradually reduces to two lanes.
The next major intersection is SR 1566, Sudley Manor Drive. To the east this road connects with SR 234 Business in Manassas. To the west it passes through the Victory Lakes subdivision before it intersects with SR 619, Linton Hall Road. Almost immediately after SR 674 intersects with SR 234
, the Prince William Parkway
.
From there the road enters an industrialized area. As SR 674 approaches Freedom Center Boulevard (SR 842), one sees the Prince William County Police Department (Virginia) Western Headquarters, and down Freedom Center Boulevard is the Freedom Center (a gym run by George Mason University and local governments) and George Mason University
(Prince William campus). A new arts center (George Mason University
's Hylton Art Center) is opening up there in 2010.
As SR 674 continues it passes by Rixlew Lane (SR 668), off of which is located the Manassas Mall. After this, SR 674 intersects with Godwin Drive at the Manassas City limits. Godwin Drive north intersects with SR 234 Business, Sudley Road, and south intersects with SR 28
and SR 234.
and Fauquier County
. At this point Wellington Road widens into a four lane road.
VDOT has plans to create an interchange between Wellington Road and SR 28, mostly to grade-separate the crossing of SR 28 with nearby railroad tracks. This project was certified under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on October 5, 2009, and the contract is expected to be let out in June 2010.
Shortly after Wellington Road crosses a total of 5 railroad tracks in two locations at-grade. The next major intersection is Clover Hill Road, which, to the south, intersects with SR 234 (Prince William Parkway) and continues into the Manassas Airport.
The next major intersection is SR 234 Business, Grant Avenue to the north (leading to Manassas and I-66) and Dumfries Road to the south (leading toward SR 234, the Prince William Parkway, and eastern and southern Prince William County).
Once past SR 234 Business, Wellington Road encounters Fairview Avenue as it makes a 90o turn to the southwest. Wellington Road ends at SR 3000, the Prince William Parkway
, and Liberia Road (Manassas, Virginia).
Gainesville Interchange project, Wellington Branch Road no longer intersects with US 29, and has been cut before the intervening railroad track. The only way to access Wellington Branch Road is by turning on Limestone Drive (SR 1040).
Originally, Wellington Road in Manassas only ran from Godwin Drive to SR 234 Business. The remaining sections of the roadway were named Richmond Avenue and Fairview Avenue. A sharp curve in Wellington Avenue was straightened out, leaving behind Old Wellington Road. Richmond Avenue and Fairview Avenue crossed in a standard intersection, but the intersection was curved and only Fairview Avenue now intersects Wellington Road. In 2007 the Fairview Avenue portion of the route was renamed Wellington Road, and in 2008 the Richmond Avenue portion of the route was renamed Wellington Road.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, and traverses western Prince William County
Prince William County, Virginia
-National protected areas:* Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge* Manassas National Battlefield Park* Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge* Prince William Forest Park-Government and politics:...
. SR 674 is known by only one name, Wellington Road. Wellington Road in Manassas
Manassas, Virginia
The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the county seat for Prince William County but that county...
is included in this article because, together, the roads form a major connector between eastern Prince William County and Gainesville
Gainesville, Virginia
-Demographics:Gainesville is currently the third-largest CDP in Prince William County. As of the census estimate of 2009, there were 28,662 people, 10,300 households, and 8,604 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,150.2 people per square mile . There were 10,300 housing units...
. The main connecting route between these two communities is the Prince William Parkway
Prince William Parkway
The Prince William Parkway is a road in Prince William County, Virginia. The road carries two designations. Between U.S. Route 1 in Woodbridge and Dumfries Road near Manassas it carries SR 3000...
with Interstate 66
Interstate 66
Interstate 66 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. As indicated by its even route number, it runs in an east–west direction. Its western terminus is at Middletown, Virginia, at an intersection with Interstate 81; its eastern terminus is in Washington, D.C., at an...
; however, Wellington Road provides a well-traveled backup route.
Wellington Road in Prince William County
SR 674 starts as a four lane road at an intersection with SR 619Virginia State Route 619 (Prince William County)
State Route 619 is a secondary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia, and traverses Prince William County. SR 619 provides a cross-county connector as well as a major artery for commuters. SR 619 is known by four names: Linton Hall Road, Bristow Road, Joplin Road, and Fuller Heights Road...
, Linton Hall Road. For the next 0.65 miles (1 km) it forms the southern boundary of the Virginia Gateway Center. This distinction is due to expire within the next few years, as additional portions of the outdoor shopping mall are constructed on the opposite side of SR 674. On the Virginia Gateway interactive map, the "Market Square (commercial)" and "Wentworth Green (residential)" sections are both south of SR 674, and are yet to be built.
As one travels east on SR 674, one approaches University Boulevard, SR 840. This section of SR 840 goes over I-66 and intersects with US 29
U.S. Route 29 in Virginia
U.S. Route 29 is a major north–south route in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It covers from the North Carolina border at the city of Danville to the Key Bridge in Washington, D.C....
east of the Gainesville I-66 interchange.
Once past SR 840, SR 674 passes the Jiffy Lube Live, formerly Nissan Pavilion. This is the site of much congestion on concert and event days, and extra police are routinely dispatched there to make traffic flow more smoothly.
Shortly after there is an intersection with SR 621, Balls Ford Road and Devlin Road in Bristow
Bristow, Virginia
Bristow is an unincorporated town in Prince William County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,910 in the 2000 census, and the 2009 estimate was 15,137....
. If one follows Balls Ford Road one will end up in Manassas, whereas if one follows Devlin Road one will end up in residential portions of Bristow. After this intersection SR 674 gradually reduces to two lanes.
The next major intersection is SR 1566, Sudley Manor Drive. To the east this road connects with SR 234 Business in Manassas. To the west it passes through the Victory Lakes subdivision before it intersects with SR 619, Linton Hall Road. Almost immediately after SR 674 intersects with SR 234
Virginia State Route 234
State Route 234 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. It runs from U.S. Route 1 near Dumfries via Independent Hill, a bypass of Manassas, and Catharpin to U.S...
, the Prince William Parkway
Prince William Parkway
The Prince William Parkway is a road in Prince William County, Virginia. The road carries two designations. Between U.S. Route 1 in Woodbridge and Dumfries Road near Manassas it carries SR 3000...
.
From there the road enters an industrialized area. As SR 674 approaches Freedom Center Boulevard (SR 842), one sees the Prince William County Police Department (Virginia) Western Headquarters, and down Freedom Center Boulevard is the Freedom Center (a gym run by George Mason University and local governments) and George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
(Prince William campus). A new arts center (George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
's Hylton Art Center) is opening up there in 2010.
As SR 674 continues it passes by Rixlew Lane (SR 668), off of which is located the Manassas Mall. After this, SR 674 intersects with Godwin Drive at the Manassas City limits. Godwin Drive north intersects with SR 234 Business, Sudley Road, and south intersects with SR 28
Virginia State Route 28
State Route 28 is a primary state highway that traverses the counties of Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, and Fauquier in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is a major artery through Northern Virginia.-Loudoun County:...
and SR 234.
Wellington Road in the City of Manassas
From Godwin Drive Wellington Road continues southwest. The next major intersection is SR 28, Nokesville Road to the south and Center Street to the north. Turning south on SR 28 will take the driver into NokesvilleNokesville, Virginia
Nokesville is a census-designated place in Prince William County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,236 at the 2000 census.-History:...
and Fauquier County
Fauquier County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 55,139 people, 19,842 households, and 15,139 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 21,046 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
. At this point Wellington Road widens into a four lane road.
VDOT has plans to create an interchange between Wellington Road and SR 28, mostly to grade-separate the crossing of SR 28 with nearby railroad tracks. This project was certified under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on October 5, 2009, and the contract is expected to be let out in June 2010.
Shortly after Wellington Road crosses a total of 5 railroad tracks in two locations at-grade. The next major intersection is Clover Hill Road, which, to the south, intersects with SR 234 (Prince William Parkway) and continues into the Manassas Airport.
The next major intersection is SR 234 Business, Grant Avenue to the north (leading to Manassas and I-66) and Dumfries Road to the south (leading toward SR 234, the Prince William Parkway, and eastern and southern Prince William County).
Once past SR 234 Business, Wellington Road encounters Fairview Avenue as it makes a 90o turn to the southwest. Wellington Road ends at SR 3000, the Prince William Parkway
Prince William Parkway
The Prince William Parkway is a road in Prince William County, Virginia. The road carries two designations. Between U.S. Route 1 in Woodbridge and Dumfries Road near Manassas it carries SR 3000...
, and Liberia Road (Manassas, Virginia).
History
Originally, SR 674 started at an intersection with US 29. As of 2007 the section between US 29 and just past Limestone Drive has been cut, the road renamed to Wellington Branch Road, and the route designation changed to SR 874. Also, with progress being made in the VDOTVirginia Department of Transportation
The Virginia Department of Transportation is the agency of state government responsible for transportation in the state of Virginia in the United States. Headquartered in Downtown Richmond, VDOT is responsible for building, maintaining, and operating the roads, bridges and tunnels in the...
Gainesville Interchange project, Wellington Branch Road no longer intersects with US 29, and has been cut before the intervening railroad track. The only way to access Wellington Branch Road is by turning on Limestone Drive (SR 1040).
Originally, Wellington Road in Manassas only ran from Godwin Drive to SR 234 Business. The remaining sections of the roadway were named Richmond Avenue and Fairview Avenue. A sharp curve in Wellington Avenue was straightened out, leaving behind Old Wellington Road. Richmond Avenue and Fairview Avenue crossed in a standard intersection, but the intersection was curved and only Fairview Avenue now intersects Wellington Road. In 2007 the Fairview Avenue portion of the route was renamed Wellington Road, and in 2008 the Richmond Avenue portion of the route was renamed Wellington Road.
Major intersections
| County or City | Location | Mile | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington Road | ||||
| Prince William County Prince William County, Virginia -National protected areas:* Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge* Manassas National Battlefield Park* Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge* Prince William Forest Park-Government and politics:... |
Gainesville Gainesville, Virginia -Demographics:Gainesville is currently the third-largest CDP in Prince William County. As of the census estimate of 2009, there were 28,662 people, 10,300 households, and 8,604 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,150.2 people per square mile . There were 10,300 housing units... |
0.00 | West terminus of SR 674 | |
| 1.08 | Road going over I-66 to US 29 | |||
| Bristow Bristow, Virginia Bristow is an unincorporated town in Prince William County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,910 in the 2000 census, and the 2009 estimate was 15,137.... |
2.67 | |||
| Manassas Manassas, Virginia The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the county seat for Prince William County but that county... (outside of the city limits) |
4.48 | SR 1566 (Sudley Manor Drive) - Manassas Manassas, Virginia The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the county seat for Prince William County but that county... , Bristow Bristow, Virginia Bristow is an unincorporated town in Prince William County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,910 in the 2000 census, and the 2009 estimate was 15,137.... |
||
| 4.90 | Four-lane divided through route | |||
| 6.58 | Route to side entrance of Manassas Mall | |||
| 6.73 | Godwin Drive - Manassas Manassas, Virginia The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the county seat for Prince William County but that county... |
Four-lane divided highway. End SR 674, begin Wellington Road in Manassas | ||
| City of Manassas Manassas, Virginia The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the county seat for Prince William County but that county... |
7.51 | |||
| 8.58 | Clover Hill Road - Manassas Airport | |||
| 9.19 |   SR 234 Bus (Grant Avenue, Dumfries Road) - ManassasManassas, Virginia The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the county seat for Prince William County but that county... , Interstate 66 Interstate 66 Interstate 66 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. As indicated by its even route number, it runs in an east–west direction. Its western terminus is at Middletown, Virginia, at an intersection with Interstate 81; its eastern terminus is in Washington, D.C., at an... , Catharpin Catharpin, Virginia Catharpin is an unincorporated community in Prince William County, Virginia, in the United States. Catharpin lies on State Route 234 to the northwest of Manassas National Battlefield Park.-Geography:... |
|||
| 9.79 | Fairview Avenue - Manassas Manassas, Virginia The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the county seat for Prince William County but that county... |
This road enters Old Town Manassas | ||
| 10.53 |  SR 3000 (Prince William ParkwayPrince William Parkway The Prince William Parkway is a road in Prince William County, Virginia. The road carries two designations. Between U.S. Route 1 in Woodbridge and Dumfries Road near Manassas it carries SR 3000... ) / Liberia Avenue - Manassas Manassas, Virginia The City of Manassas is an independent city surrounded by Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Its population was 37,821 as of 2010. Manassas also surrounds the county seat for Prince William County but that county... , Clifton Clifton, Virginia Clifton is a town in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States located away from Washington, D.C. In 2010, the population was 282.-Pre-Colonial era:... , Woodbridge Woodbridge, Virginia -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 31,941 people, 10,687 households, and 7,769 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,047.8 people per square mile . There were 11,026 housing units at an average density of 1,052.1/sq mi... |
East terminus of Wellington Road | ||