McDonnell Announces VDOT Mark Center Task Force

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced today that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will establish a new task force to manage traffic and improvements on I-395 at Alexandria's Mark Center.

This week, the Department of Defense (DoD) will begin moving about 6,000 employees to Mark Center as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process. According to a release from McDonnell's office, the task force will "...implement a traffic management plan to closely monitor traffic impacts, help manage delays and coordinate increased transit service in an effort to avoid gridlock on I-395," which serves nearly 200,000 commuters on any given weekday.

“Traffic conditions at the Mark Center and Seminary Road/I-395 interchange will disrupt daily commutes and the movement of goods and freight," McDonnell said. "The opening of this new facility will have wide-reaching impacts that will be felt across the Northern Virginia region and throughout the Commonwealth, so we must do everything possible to mitigate the effects on traffic and the quality of life of residents and those who travel I-395.” 

According to the release, the task force will be responsible for overseeing the traffic management plan to: "monitor traffic flow and quickly adjust surrounding traffic signals to changing traffic conditions; develop an Integrated Corridor Management Plan that will use the most up to date technology to assist motorists and improve traffic flow on the I-95/I-395 corridor; implement a regional transit coordination group to provide increased transit service to the Mark Center; coordinate all roadway projects in the I-95/I-395 corridor to help manage delays and congestion during construction; create a comprehensive public outreach and communications plan to provide advanced notice of construction that may impact local and regional roadways and transit service."

The Commonwealth has already set aside $80 million for the construction of a reversible . 

Other agencies, including DoD, and local government will be invited to participate in the region-wide task force.