Triangle, Va. –– Quantico Marine Corps Base had no choice but to prepare for the massive influx of federal workers set to descend upon the area in September, said base commander Col. Daniel J. Choike.
While construction is complete on a $300 million, 700,000 square-foot building on Telegraph Road that will hold several security agencies, looming traffic problems still concern officials and community developers who want more federal workers to relocate to the region after the military’s BRAC transition is complete.
A wider U.S. 1 and better communication with community leaders and residents are all ways officials plan to manage growth near the base.“When we look at the surrounding community and the growth that’s taking place, and then when you look at the members of the surrounding community does to support our Marines and our families, it only makes sense to communicate our intentions and our mission with the surrounding community,” said Choike.
The plans for the eventual widening were discussed Monday night at a meeting of the Quantico Growth Management Committee held at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
There are plans to expand infrastructure on and around the entire base, and they are are ambitious and necessary.
The widening of U.S. 1 from four to six lanes between Joplin Road in Triangle (Prince William County) and Telegraph Road in Boswell’s Corner (Stafford County) remains a top priority.
Last year, $800,000 in federal grant money and $45,000 in local match funds from each county was allocated for the study of widening the highway.
Prince William County residents also approved $68 million in bond money to go to the widening of the highway in Triangle.
Also under the microscope for road widening is the intersection of Garrisonville Road (Va. 610) and Onville Road in North Stafford.
Plans for that intersection include widening Onville Road from two to four lanes, allowing those who live south and west of the base to access to Qauntico without using Interstate 95 or U.S. 1.
