Federal funding for flattening a 2,400-foot section of Logmill Road is coming to Prince William County following the latest in a string of fatal vehicles crashes.

The county is set to receive a $2.7 million grant from the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program to vertically align 1,200 feet of road east and west of the Parnell Court intersection, according to county officials.

That part of the Logmill Road is not directly related to the April 20 crash that resulted in the deaths of two Battlefield High School students and injuries to three others. However, it is near the site of a crash that claimed the life of another Battlefield student as well as a Battlefield graduate last August.

A county police spokesperson said the county has not yet charged the 18-year-old driver of the most recent crash as it is policy to not charge those still recovering in hospitals.

Gainesville District Supervisor John Stirrup (R) said he initiated the process for the federal grant application last year and a county press release stated that Prince William County received the go-ahead from the feds last month. The Board of County Supervisors needed to formally approve the grant before work could begin on the project that is due to be competed in November 2012.

Stirrup said the county's department of transportation is going to administer the grant so the process can be expedited. He added that VDOT is going to be assisting the county and administer its own approval of the plans.

What makes the grant unusual, according to Stirrup, is that grants from the federal government under this program generally come in a lump sum. The locality then prioritizes which roads need safety improvements and allocates the money to cover them.

This grant is specific for that particular hilly section of Logmill Road, Stirrup said, so the money will not be spent on other roads in the county.

"No, I don't think there's a direct causality between the accident that happened on Wednesday and the approval of this application," he said.

County chairman Corey Stewart (R) added that "clearly, with Logmill, with eight teenagers having been killed in that stretch of Logmill, clearly, it should have been fixed years ago and, I know it's going to detract from the beauty of road way, but safety's first."

He explained that what took time for money to be directed toward changing Logmill is one of several roads within the county prone to fatal accidents that has needed to be adjusted.

"Despite the circumstances of this individual crash, there is clearly a safety problem that needs to be fixed," said Stewart.

There is at least one program that the county is putting forth directly due to the April 20 crash. Stirrup confirmed a county press release that states county police are planning an educational program "intended specifically for Battlefield High School students and their parents regarding the issues facing teen drivers and their passengers."

Stirrup said the visual presentation is set to be held at Battlefield some time before the end of the current school year on a date still to be determined.

"Quite frankly, it'll be quite graphic and unsettling for some folks, but this is reality and it's about saving lives," said Stirrup.

As for what else the county government can do to prevent future crashes, Stewart said, "I've run that question through my mind at least 30 times since this accident and I want to discuss it with the board and then reach out together with the schools and see what we can do to help prevent, you know, another crash involving teenagers and teenage drivers."

He added, "Obviously, part of it involves road safety conditions but perhaps an even larger part concerns education and there is a curfew and, you know, what we can we do to help prevent these things. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prevent these things."

One option includes increasing police patrols to better enforce county curfew laws, he said. County code states that, with some exemptions, anyone 17 years old or under must not be in a public place without a legal guardian from 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and between 11:59 p.m. and 5 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

"This is a terribly, terribly tragic incident and clearly all of our thoughts and prayers have to be with the families of those who were killed (and the) three students who are still recovering," said Stirrup. "But we also, as a community, have to say, 'We're responsible for our young people and we've got to do everything we can possible to make sure they survive so they have all of these fabulous opportunities ahead of them in life.'"

He added, "And hopefully, we (in) government can help but I don't think we're the only or the key tool. Obviously, this all starts at home as well, but it's frustrating. It's frustrating for me to sit here and talk to you about this and say this won't happen again."

Stewart said the county's legislative agenda for the 2012 state General Assembly session may include changes to when drivers are able to obtain licenses. He said that potential ideas include raising the driving age and improving driver education.

"I'm hoping to look at all the options or maybe a combination of them," said Stewart.