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Pentagon Approves $180M To Widen U.S. 1 In Fairfax

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Widening U.S. Route 1 in Fairfax County could help offset the increase in traffic stemming from the Department of Defense.
William F. Yurasko (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wfyurasko/3711698304/)
Widening U.S. Route 1 in Fairfax County could help offset the increase in traffic stemming from the Department of Defense.

The Pentagon has approved $180 million in spending to widen U.S. 1 outside Fort Belvoir to help cope with increased traffic caused by the fort's growth.

Belvoir's population increased significantly as a result of the most recent round of base closings and realignments. In addition, a new hospital on the base receives nearly 600,000 patients a year.

Traffic outside the base has been a concern since the plans to expand Belvoir were announced.

The $180 million funding agreement announced Monday by the Defense Department's Office of Economic Adjustment will allow U.S. 1 to expand from four to six lanes on a 3.5-mile stretch from Telegraph Rd. to Mount Vernon Memorial Highway.

In addition, the project will improve access to Fort Belvoir at the Tully and Pence gates.

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