Politics & Government

Federal Funds Approved for Belvoir BRAC Projects

Pols say they will help but don't go far enough

Three key projects related to the Base Realignment and Closing (BRAC) process at Fort Belvoir were approved when Congress passed the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011 on Thursday.

The projects are:

  • Route 1 widening at locations to be determined. They are expected to be either at Fairfax County Parkway north to Buckman Road or from Telegraph Road to Woodlawn Road. The former project has estimated price tag of $130 million, while the former’s is $75 million.
  • The reconstruction of a flyover ramp at Newington’s Engineer Proving Grounds at a cost of $15 million
  • A comprehensive transit study of the corridor to include the old rail line connecting to Franconia-Springfield Metro Station, which has an estimated cost of $5 million.

The Route 1 widening is tied specifically to the opening of Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. The start date of the projects is expected to be announced shortly.

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Congressmen Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly as well as Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb were hopeful that the projects will reduce the impact of BRAC. The contingent has been vocal about the traffic problems that will arise as a result of the estimated 20,000 employees that will be relocated.

Though happy with confirmation of the projects, Moran repeated his call for the full occupation of the Mark Center in Alexandria to be delayed. 

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In a press release Connolly said:  

“This new funding will help make significant improvements to the Richmond Highway, which is one of the two primary access routes for Fort Belvoir and the Army’s new premier medical campus. It builds on the recent investments made by the Recovery Act to complete Fairfax County Parkway, but still falls short of what is needed to ensure BRAC is a success in our community.”

On Wednesday morning at a site still to be determined, Moran and Connolly will host a public event that will elaborate on the details of this announcement.


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