FABB Blog

 

FABB at NGA

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is consolidating operations and moving staff from three current locations; Reston, VA, DC, and Bethesda, MD. The move is part of the Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) Act of 2005. Fairfax County is conducting commuter workshops at these locations to let employees know about various options for getting to work. FABB was invited to attend the first workshop that was held at the Reston office today.

The new NGA location is referred to as NGA Campus East. It's located less than 3 miles from the Franconia-Springfield Metro station. Given the number of employees coming to the new site, a mini-bike sharing system seems like an ideal solution to moving people from the station to the campus. It could be implemented with station location on the NGA campus, in Springfield, and at the Metro station.With 8,000 new employees commuting into the new offices, traffic and parking, which is limited, will be a nighmare.

Along with county bike program staff, we discussed various bike routes to the campus with employees who live within easy bike commuting distance of the new site. The Fairfax Co Parkway/Franconia-Springfield Parkway trails are just north of the new site. A new trail is being built across the Parkway on Rolling Road, and trails and bike lanes will lead into the site from both the Rolling Road and Backlick Road entrances. Saris Stack Racks are being installed in the parking garage. Bike lanes or a shared use path are still needed along Backlick Rd, the most direct route into the complex from the Metro station.

Bicycling conditions in this area have been notoriously dangerous in the past. It's encouraging that there is an acknowledgment that bicycling can be part of the solution for moving people in that area, and that some new facilities are being planned for the move. I-95 still presents a significant barrier to bicycle travel in that area and more options are needed for crossing. We plan to check out the new location in the near future.

Labels: NGA

posted by Bruce Wright at 4:05 PM permalink