The Defense Department's Office of Economic Adjustment approved $180 million in funding on Monday for expansion of Route 1 in Northern Virginia near Fort Belvoir.
The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure law shifted tens of thousands of jobs to Fort Belvoir, putting additional strain on Route 1, already a major commuting corridor in the Washington metro area. In a press release, the Defense Department said the funds would be used to widen a 3.5 mile stretch of the road from four to six lanes, and for adding new bike lanes and pedestrian facilities.
The $180 million also will fund improvements to gates providing access to the new Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., called the move a "great step forward."
The Federal Highway Administration will complete the road-widening project in coordination with Virginia's Fairfax County, the Virginia Transportation Department, and the command at Fort Belvoir.
The project marks the first expenditure of funds under a $300 million program for improvements associated with medical facilities related to the 2005 BRAC round included in the fiscal 2011 defense appropriations act.
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