Senator Warner today announced that the U.S. Department of Defense has approved $20 million for transportation improvements around Mark Center in Alexandria, which will see an influx of an additional 6,400 civilian and military personnel as a result of the 2005 BRAC round.

This additional funding will be used to improve Interstate 395 ramps at Seminary Road in Alexandria, and make improvements to key intersections around the Mark Center site.

“This is a good first step to begin addressing the added traffic congestion that will be created by the Mark Center project,” Senator Warner said. “These funds will allow for  improvements to the transportation system that should provide welcome relief to area residents, businesses, commuters, and the military and civilian workforce that is scheduled to relocate to Mark Center.”

In February, a study requested by Senator Warner and conducted by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) concluded that the Pentagon’s formula for funding BRAC-related transportation infrastructure was not sufficient, and in fact was unfair, to urban areas such as Northern Virginia.  The NAS considered the impact of projects such as Mark Center, as well as the Fort Belvoir expansion in Fairfax County, which will add an additional 11,000 military and civilian personnel to the sprawling military base along the Route 1/Interstate 395 corridor.  Senator Warner also successfully worked with members of the Virginia and Maryland congressional delegations to secure $150 million for traffic improvements along the Route 1/Interstate 395 corridor at Fort Belvoir.