Northern Virginia is one of the wealthiest areas in the United States, including Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, counties and the independent cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, and Manassas Park. These cities and towns are connected to each other with various transportation means such as railways, roadways, etc.
Northern Virginia has high road congestion rate. The area is counted among the most congested regions in the nation. In order to lessen traffic at gridlock, local governments support other forms of transportation like Metrorail, HOV, carpooling, etc.Northern Virginia Transportation conditions are worsening due to increasing population.
Curvy colonial roads are one of the biggest public transit issues. But the recent renovation of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge near Alexandria that also carries more than 300,000 vehicles everyday into Maryland will double the traffic lanes at that specific narrow area when completed in 2008.
Commuting Through Springfield
The Springfield “mixing bowl” freeway junction will provide relief as new ramp configurations open as part of a large scale interchange reconstruction. The Springfield Interchange Improvement Project started in March, 1999 and is scheduled for completion in 2007. The seven phased, $650 million project has been sponsored by the Virginia Department of Transportation. The pre-project interchange, where I-95, I-395 and I-495 come together, was approximately a mile long linking the three major interstates and serving nearly thousands of vehicles everyday. Studies reveal that the interchange witnessed 179 accidents in two years, hence making it the most dangerous junction on the 64-mile Capital Beltway. Also, traffic forecasts projected volumes to double by 2020.
Hence to improve traffic flow VDOT is reconstructing the interchange to make it safer for commuters and long-distance travelers.
Blueprint of Springfield Project
Springfield improvement plan includes construction of more than fifty bridges and flyovers, thirty ramps and setting up of approximately two hundred guide signs and twenty electronic message signs. One of the major characteristic of the project is to barrier-separate HOV lanes, through lanes and local lanes on I-95 to lessen weaving conflicts.
In November 2001, reconstruction of I-95/VA-644 interchange was completed. The direct through roadway linking for I-95 southbound traffic was inaugurated in May 2004. Rest of the I-95/I-395/I-495 interchange and express/local roadways on I-95 will open in phases from 2005 to 2007.
Ultimate goal behind reconstruction of “mixing bowl” is to improve safety and access while increasing throughput capacity. Northern Virginia Transportation improvement project is in its completion phase.
Belvoir New Vision Planners (BNVP)
Fort Belvoir is a United States military installation which also services as the headquarters of Defense Logistics Agency, the Defense Contract Audit Agency, Defense Technical Information Center and Defense Threat Reduction Agency. As a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, Fort Belvoir is expected to have a substantial increase in the number of people stationed or employed there. For this, a team of experienced planners, managers, also considers the ongoing mission of Fort Belvoir. The realignment is expected to be completed in 2011.
Engineers, architects, environmental and transportation experts have been selected by the Army Corps of Engineers to lead the realignment of Fort Belvoir. The team is going by the name Belvoir New Vision Planners.
BNVP – a partnership between PBS & J and Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM), is set to begin work immediately on the siting of tenants across Fort Belvoir. In preparing the siting options, BNVP will coordinate all necessary meetings with key stakeholders in preparation for a world-class urban federal center; a flagship installation in America’s national security structure.
In all, Fort Belvoirwhich provides logistical and administrative support to diverse agencies will experience a net gain of approximately 21,000 people. This migration of people will require the construction of several new facilities on the base. To accomplish this realignment, the Army plans for major construction of new office space and infrastructure. BNVP will begin a comprehensive master development strategy that encompasses the needs of the realignment and also considers the ongoing mission of Fort Belvoir. The realignment is expected to be completed in 2011.