Earlier this week, we were the first to tell you efforts to replace a washed-out bridge on Joplin Road — a popular byway linking the midsection of Prince William County to Interstate 95 and Quantico Marine Corps Base — could last into spring.

Today, the Virginia Department of Transportation released more information about the project.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will begin repair and reconstruction of the Joplin Road bridge over Quantico Creek after it was damaged by flooding and subsequently closed on Aug. 13. Work is scheduled to begin the week of Nov. 23.

The flood was the highest peak flow that the United State Geological Survey (USGS) gauge adjacent to the bridge had seen in its 69-year existence- classifying it as between a 100 and 200 year event.

Lane Construction has been awarded a $932,000 emergency contract for repairs. The work includes undergrounding of NOVEC power lines, as well as:

• Removal of the center pier
• Construction of new abutments, wing walls, and parapets
• Replacement of bridge beams and bridge deck (superstructure)
• Repair of bridge asphalt approaches
• Installation of new guardrail

Access to all homes will be maintained during the work. The road is expected to safely reopen to through traffic in early spring, weather permitting, with a fixed completion date of May 15, 2021 after final paving has concluded.

Quantico residents are pushing transportation officials to resume local bus service to the only town in the nation surrounded by a U.S. military installation.

OmniRide discontinued service to the town in March and instead told residents to call a cab to take them to the nearest bus stop, just outside the base on Route 1 in Triangle.

This message was posted to the OmniRide website, stating riders are eligible for one round-trip ride per day between the town and the closest bus stop outside the Marine Corps Base. Riders must call OmniRide, not the cab company, to schedule the trip, which could cost up to $28, depending on the traffic volume waiting to enter the base at the main gate on Fuller Road.

Due to the implementation of more stringent security measures on Quantico Marine Base, OmniRide buses can no longer access the base. For trips originating or ending on the base, OmniRide has established a partnership with Yellow Cab (703-491-2222).  Cabs travel between the Quantico Town bus stop and the OmniRide stop at Route 1 and Squire Lane.

At no cost, riders are eligible for two (2) one-way rides daily between the base and stops outside the base. Trips are limited to the hours that OmniRide Local buses are in operation.  For more information, contact OmniRide’s Customer Support Office at 703-730-6664.

When it comes to restoring local bus service in the town, OmniRide says these types of residents’ comments are most frequent.

• Riders would like service on a fixed schedule rather than calling for a cab.
• Riders want to be taken by cab to other destinations other than the closest local bus stop.
• They want a better on-time performance from the taxis to ensure making connections with the local bus.

In January, officials at Quantico Marine Corps Base implemented sticker rules for those entering the base following a U.S. military operation to kill Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian general, in Baghdad on January 3, 2020. The country vowed to retaliate against the U.S., and shortly thereafter, bases across the country tightened security.

Under the old rules, a state-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, was enough to get you onto the base. Now, those who used driver’s licenses must go to the Visitor Control Center, located at 27000 Telegraph Road in Stafford, in building #27175T, to receive a Defense Biometric Identification System card.

Tammy Beard, the owner of Yellow Cab of Prince William County, which contracted with OmniRide to provide the taxi service to Quantico, says her drivers all have completed their registration process with the base and enjoy providing shuttle service to town residents.

“We think this has really helped residents, especially during COVID,” said Beard, who notes her drivers make between 25 and 30 roundtrips, between the town and the closest bus stop, per week.

It could be next spring when drivers will be able to make the full trip down Joplin Road.

The popular, winding, two-lane thoroughfare connects Independent Hill, near the Prince William County Public Schools headquarters, to Interstate 95, at the Quantico National Cemetery.

Back in August, rushing waters in the south fork of the Quantico Creek took out a two-lane bridge, preventing traffic from traveling down the road. Today, the Virginia Department of Transportation provided new information on the effort to fix the road.

The planning process has included coordination with Quantico [Marine Corps Base], National Park Service, and NOVEC… They are aiming for an early spring reopening, but keep in mind that final paving won’t occur until the asphalt plants reopen. It may be even sooner than that, especially if we have a mild winter.

Joplin Road runs between Quantico Marine Corps Base and Prince William Forest Park.

The Joplin Rd bridge remains closed. Crews have been visiting the site daily and had a very special surprise supervisor today. https://t.co/YhQzz9rMkZ pic.twitter.com/7h2dQR7chL

— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) August 17, 2020

The Marine Corps Marathon Organization canceled a live version of its annual Turkey Trot 10K and Mile that had been scheduled to take place at Quantico Marine Corps Base.

The event originally had been planned as both, a live version, to be held on Saturday, November 21 with an accompanying virtual option. More than 1,500 participants are registered across both event options.

The move comes after Gov. Ralph Northam today enacted a new coronavirus crackdown on public events, limiting the number of people allowed to gather in public to 25. Today, 1,071 people were hospitalized in Virginia with the disease, representing 0.0126% of the 8.5 million people who live in the state.

A press release from the organization has more information.

Registration for all those who signed up for the live event will have the option to shift to virtual participation or defer their entry to 2021. This transaction may be conducted through the runners’ MCM registration accounts on the Haku platform. Runners must finalize their decision by Thursday, November 19 at noon eastern. Prompt adjustment of registration status will result in expedited shipping of a runner’s packet.

The runner packets include the official long sleeve event shirt, Turkey Trot-themed gloves and, for live participants only, the official bib.

The Frozen Chosin 7.0 Miler, scheduled for December 12, 2020, is within the guidelines and continues to be planned as live and virtual events.

For media information, please contact Marc Goldman, Marine Corps Marathon Marketing Manager at 703-784-2113 or [email protected].

Turkey Trot 10K and Miler is part of the MCM Event Series hosted by the Marine Corps Marathon Organization. The MCM Event Series feature a variety of distances and fun challenges on or near Marine Corps Base Quantico. The Turkey Trot is sponsored by Valor Homes, First Command, Wegmans, VA Runner, Brooks, Essentia Water, and USO.  No federal or Marine Corps endorsement is implied. Connect with the Marine Corps Marathon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Flickr. #RunWithTheMarines

 

The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce the reopening of the Medal of Honor Theater this Friday, October 16.

There will be limited showings of We, The Marines for the reopening weekend, subsequently we encourage you to visit the Foundation’s website for the full listing of showtimes.

We, The Marines, the Theater’s signature film, narrated by Academy Award-winning actor and Marine Gene Hackman, immerses audiences in the experience of joining and serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

The film follows the journey of Marines from boot camp to training, deployment, and, finally, homecoming. The film was produced specifically for the Museum’s Medal of Honor Theater.

The Foundation has made changes to the Theater based on state and federal guidelines to create a safer environment for guests, volunteers, and staff.

Face coverings are required for all guests and staff over the age of two. Three seats will be left between each group of viewers, and new cleaning protocols have been put in place.

The museum is located at 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, just outside the main gate of Quantico Marine Corps Base.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps won the Ordinary Awards Attraction of the Year for its contributions to the Virginia tourism industry.

This award was presented by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association and celebrates those in the hospitality and travel industry that are extraordinary.

The Attraction of the Year award recognizes the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ implementation of innovative ideas and demonstration of passion for enhancing travel to its community.

The museum was specifically recognized for its ongoing contributions to the community at large, and its response to changes imposed by the coronavirus.

During the pandemic, the National Museum of the Marine Corps’ staff developed programs as part of the “new normal.” This included live video tours highlighting different galleries and allowing viewers the opportunity to ask questions in real-time, keeping visitors engaged while the museum was closed.

Museum education staff developed and presented the virtual Judge Advocate General homeschool program.

For three weeks, students studied a crime scene, gathered physical and testimonial evidence, and put their arguments together for court. The final episode was a live interactive trial. The program attracted more than 150 participants.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps facilitates learning all over the world through its online distance learning programs to engage audiences with the incredible history of the United States Marine Corps.

Classes include a variety of virtual learning experiences and subject matter for students, educators, and lifelong learners on important topics related to the Marine Corps.

The museum reopened to the public on September 8, and continues to support the community while also maintaining strict safety measures, allowing visitors to safely experience the its passion for telling the Corps’ story.

For additional information about the reopening protocols, frequently asked questions and more, visit the museum’s website.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps opened its doors today for the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

More in a press release:

The National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) will reopen to the public on 8 September, after closing temporarily in March due to COVID-19. With enhanced health and safety protocols in place, the Museum is excited to welcome visitors back.

The Museum’s cleaning staff has been hard at work to ensure all areas are clean and disinfected, paying particular attention to frequently touched surfaces such as elevator buttons, door handles and railings. Visitors will see the cleaning crew at work throughout the Museum, along with newly implemented health and safety protocols.

Face coverings are required for all visitors over the age of 6 and are highly recommended for children between the ages of two to six. All staff and volunteers will also be wearing face coverings while helping to interpret exhibits and ensure proper social distancing.

Proper social distancing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is 6 feet from those outside your immediate group. If a gallery or exhibit area is crowded, visitors are encouraged to return to that area when it’s less crowded. To ensure the safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff, the Museum will limit capacity. Once the safe capacity is reached, visitors will need to wait until others exit. While waiting, visitors may enjoy a walk through the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park with its monuments which honor Marine Corps organizations and those who served in them.

Hand sanitation stations are positioned throughout the Museum and visitors are encouraged to use them often. The restrooms are cleaned regularly throughout the day, ensuring that soap dispensers are always filled and high touch areas are disinfected. Water fountains are turned off but visitors may bring in an unopened, clear 20 ounce water bottle. No food is allowed in the Museum.

Some areas of the Museum are temporarily closed for the safety of visitors including interactive exhibits which have been temporarily disabled. The Children’s Gallery and other play areas are currently closed. Visitors should remember that exhibits and artifacts are to be seen and not touched.

Even with some areas temporarily closed or deactivated, there’s still plenty to see at NMMC, especially the new exhibits completed during the closure. The extension of Legacy Walk, the timeline leading to the exhibit galleries, opened in early March. These exhibits tell Marine Corps stories of compassion, dedication, terror, family and loss.

Stories of sacrifice are the theme of, “In the Highest Tradition–WWII Medal of Honor Art: Paintings by Col Charles H. Waterhouse, USMCR (Ret),” in the Museum’s Combat Art Gallery. The art exhibit presents portraits and paintings of WWII Medal of Honor recipients created by Waterhouse to document their self-sacrificing deeds.

World War II heroes are also honored in the Museum’s expanded Navajo Code Talkers exhibit. This new addition includes interviews with Navajo Code Talkers, an explanation of the spoken code as well as the importance and deployment of the code, though some interactive functions may be temporarily disabled. Within this exhibit are artifacts including a radio and headset used by Code Talkers, and one of the Congressional Gold Medals awarded to the Code Talkers.

Finally, visitors will have an opportunity to see both flags that were raised on Iwo Jima’s Mt. Suribachi. Both flags will remain on exhibit for approximately two weeks after the reopening.

For more information about the Museum’s reopening protocols, frequently asked questions and more, visit www.usmcmuseum.com/covid-19.

NMMC continues working on new exhibits and galleries covering the years from 1976 through the Global War on Terror. These new galleries will take visitors to Somalia, Beirut, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and into Iraq and Afghanistan. Stories in the galleries explore the role of the Marine family, the price of freedom, and even Marines who are also professional athletes.

The musuem is located at 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway in Triangle, just outside the main entrance of Quantico Marine Corps Base.

5:06 p.m. 

The truck has been uprighted. No injuries reported. Traffic getting by on the left shoulder.

4:52 p.m. 

Crews are now working to lift the overturned truck back onto its wheels.

Fire crews have worked to contain oil that spilled from the truck onto the highway and onto Interstate Drive, which runs parallel to the highway.

Prince William fire crews tell us there was so much oil, a damming operation has been set up on Inn Street, near the main entrance to Quantico Marine Corps Base.

From Prince William fire and rescue:

Units responded for a tractor trailer car hauler overturned wit approximately 15 vehicles. Arriving found a large quantity of oil draining off the interstate towards Inn Street and a waterway. All vehicles, fuel tanks intact with various fluids only coming from the tractor.  Runoff contained with hand tools and damming operation on Inn Street.

4:28 p.m.

A tractor-trailer hauling automobiles overturned on Interstate 95.

Fire and rescue crews and Virginia State Police were called to the 149 milt post at Quantico when the truck crashed while traveling on I-95 south north.

It’s unclear if anyone is injured. Crews are working mop up oil that was reported to be leaking from the truck.

Traffic is getting by in the far left lane.

More as we have it.

When it comes to protecting our election from those who would do harm, general registrars and volunteer poll workers are on the front lines.

“Communication has been at the forefront to get ahead of mis or disinformation campaigns,” said Daniel Persico, chief information officer at the Virginia Department of Elections.

If people see information on social media about changes in polling places or dates of elections, Persico urged readers to be skeptical and verify the source, or call a local elections office to very the information.

“Don’t always trust everything you see. If it doesn’t sound right, look into it,” he adds.

Locally, elections officials are expecting a crush of voters for the General Election on November 3. Prince William County is calling for 1,600 volunteers to work 93 polls and will open eight satellite offices for two weeks leading up to Election Day for early voting.

Despite all of the talk about mail-in ballots, the safest way to vote is still in person, at the ballot box.

“We need to go back to the [hand-marked] paper ballot, use computers to verify the results, and then use humans to complete a risk-limiting audit,” said Harri Hursti, an international cybersecurity expert featured in the HBO documentary “Kill Chain.”

Hursti added mail-in ballots are the second-most secure form of voting because of the secure method of processing ballots and said touch-screen voting systems are the most vulnerable to hacking, and that they shoud not be used.

If an election system is hacked, it can take up to 300 days to identify the problem, and another 50 days to report the breach, he said. “Every voting system we have today, and every system we will have in the future, can be hacked,” said Hursti.

The comments come as Quantico Cyber Club hosted a discussion on protecting the election at its headquarters at the Quantico Corporate Center in North Stafford on Thursday, August 27. The discussion marked a post-coronavirus pandemic return to in-person events for the non-profit organization focused on cyber securtiy education and collaboration.

Intensive training, “bootcamp” style courses in cybersecurity trianing are offered at the 30,000 square-foot centers, which opened a year ago. The non-profit manging the center, the Cyber Bytes Foundation, aims to become a degree-issuing insitutution.