U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) announced today that the Pentagon will provide $180 million for traffic improvements to Route 1 in the Fort Belvoir area to accommodate thousands of new employees related to the Base Realignment and Closure process (BRAC).
The funding will allow for Route 1 at Belvoir to be widened from four to six lanes, and according to a release from Moran's office, Fairfax County is already conducting an environmental study in anticipation of the funding. The money is part of a $300 million appropriation secured last year by Moran and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) for BRAC-related transportation improvements.
“This is a big win for Northern Virginia as a region, the commuters along Rt. 1 and DoD employees at Ft. Belvoir,” Moran said. “Belvoir is home to a state of the art hospital and with full funding, patients and their families will be able to travel more safely and quickly to receive medical attention and visit loved ones."
According to the Washington Post, Virginia officials believe the project could begin in 2013 and would take approximately three years to complete.
“Widening Route 1 is critical to ensuring a viable transportation network in the Fort Belvoir area,” said Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. “Our nation’s wounded warriors, veterans and their families deserve to have reliable and safe access to Fort Belvoir’s new Community Hospital. Moreover, every day, commuters are stuck in long traffic queues on Route 1 that has only worsened with the additional traffic generated by BRAC changes bringing more defense personnel to Fort Belvoir. This widening will improve the quality of life for thousands of commuters and visitors.”
Moran also thanked the Department of Defense's Office of Economic Adjustment for "understanding the dire transportation needs of [the] community."
Delegate Scott Surovell (D-44) applauded efforts of the legislators who worked to secure the grant. “This is exactly the type of cooperation necessary to bring real congestion relief and improvements to Route 1 such as new lanes,” he said in a release. “This is another step toward a revitalized Route 1."
The $180 helps cover a fraction of the costs - about 20 percent of road widening. It will not begin until 2013 and takes 3 years to complete. Last night Gerry Hyland said Route 1 now has the worst daily congestion he has ever seen in his decades of serving our community. No one wants to place blame. However, our politicians have known about BRAC since May 2005, over 6 years ago, and did nothing to prepare the area. Today, I am setting clear accountability. The incumbent chairman said she opposes further investment in developing Route 1 until the General Assembly provides more funding or taxpayers pass a referendum creating new taxes. She does not have the same barriers to progress for Dulles or Tysons. Spike says he will happily talk with anyone, but does not want to do anything to address congestion on Route 1 because the County's busy working on Tysons. Everyone can read Jerry Fill's interview in the 07/07/2011 Mt Vernon Gazette.
Experience Matters when electing the Fairfax County Chairman. It is time for change. A. Will Radle, Jr. Independent Candidate for Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com http://YouTube.com/WillRadle1
Jerry Fill's July 7 interview with 3 Chairman candidates is on page 7: http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2011/070611/Mt%20Vernon.pdf The incumbent said she is not ready until the General Assembly increases their investment or voters pass a referendum creating a new tax. She does not present Dulles or Tysons the same barriers to progress. The red guy said he's busy in Tysons and does not want to invest in Route 1's development despite saying we are languishing at best. But, good news, he will make certain we can complain and voice our opinion. As a candidate he was a NO SHOW at Gunston Hall, Sherwood Hall and Southern Fairfax Federation events. TO WHOM would we voice our opinion if he is elected? The people of southern Fairfax County feel like they are being ignored because WE ARE BEING IGNORED! Experience Matters when electing the Fairfax County Chairman. It is time for change. A. Will Radle, Jr. Independent Candidate for Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com http://YouTube.com/WillRadle1
Sorry. Doesn't pass the smell test for me.