Construction projects ready post for future

The intersection of 9th Street and Belvoir Road on Fort Belvoir is set to close and a by-pass route will be constructed around it to allow for unimpeded traffic flow. The closure allows crews to renovate water, sewage, electri-cal, and communication lines buried under the intersection. Minimal delays are expected for motorists.
Traffic will not be able to turn onto 9th Street from Belvoir Road, but will be able to turn onto Peterson Loop into the housing area.
“The post has some major infrastructure work that needs to be completed directly under the current intersection of 9th Street and Belvoir Road,” said Col. Mark Moffatt, Fort Belvoir deputy commander for transformation and BRAC. “So, we are creating a small bypass around the area of construction to help reduce traffic-related impacts on the work force and residents working and living on post.”
The bypass forced early removal of trees along Belvoir Road. The trees would have been removed to accommodate the road’s widening, scheduled for next year.
“The grass and trees have been removed where the bypass will be placed and not a meter more. We have not passed the planned limit of disturbance and are keeping as many trees near the homes as possible,” said Greg Fleming, Fort Belvoir environmental specialist.
Motorists should pay attention to new traffic patterns and anticipate the potential for delays and allow extra time for trips to and through that area of the post, Moffatt said.
Belvoir Police will be patrolling the adjacent housing areas and ticketing motorists who use the housing area to cut around the construction. Southside Grill patrons will still be able to access the restaurant from the intersection of Gunston Road and 9th Street. 
Controlled blasting
Engineers perform controlled blasting on the Fairfax County Parkway project jobsite to remove rock encountered during earthwork operations at the Post’s Fort Belvoir North Area. To minimize disturbance to surrounding neighborhoods, blasting may occur between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., with work continuing, as needed, until spring.
The blasting will help facilitate building the Fairfax County Parkway project. The blasting location is north of the dead-end street of Yarnwood Drive on Fort Belvoir North Area.
The parkway project is part of a vital transportation corridor serving residents and businesses in Fairfax County neighborhoods. The Eastern Federal Highway Land Division selected Cherry Hill Construction, Inc., to design-build the extension of the parkway’s extension at Rolling Road to Fullerton Road.
Additional information and e-mail alerts about gate closures, construction-related traffic delays, construction blast-ing, and other activities is available from belvoirnewvision.com. 
For further information or to report concerns, contact Travis Edwards, 703-805-2019; or the Fort Belvoir Public Affairs Office, 703-805-5001.
Road closure
Warren Road from Theote to Johnson roads has a one-lane closure until Oct. 31. A flagman will be posted and access for patrons arriving and departing Tompkins Basin area will not change. Parking lots and recreational areas in Tompkins Basin will not be blocked.