Department Of Defense Extends Deadline For Northern Virginia BRAC

A deadline change for Base Realignment and Closure facilities in Northern Virginia is preventing the forced relocation of thousands of employees.

The deadline, set for this week, required any buildings that host Department of Defense workers in the region to comply with minimum anti-terrorism standards.

Virginia Congressman Jim Moran says the reprieve granted by the federal government is sensible. "We appreciate the Obama administration for showing the kind of common sense judgment that ought to be applied by the federal government."

Non-compliance would have meant moving more than 20,000 DOD workers from Arlington to Fort Belvoir in Fairfaix. Moran says the result could have spawned a commuter traffic and logistical nightmare that has now been put on hold.

"You call Fort Belvoir and they will tell you what they're supposed to tell you, that everybody is moving by 2011, but we are here to tell you that's not gonna happen," says Moran.

Barbara Favola, chair of the Arlington County Board, says planners are searching for ways to meet security needs in a complex urban environment. They hope the three-year extension buys them some time.

Elliott Francis reports...