February is an ideal month to promote teleworking. Commuting is hard any time of year, but add a wind chill in the 20s, gray skies, and a car windshield encased in ice, and your home office will beckon as never before.
Smartly, Telework Exchange has declared Monday, Feb. 14-Friday, Feb. 18 to be National Telework Week in 2011.
This public-private partnership is asking government agencies, private companies and individuals to pledge online to telework at least one day next week. To date, 15,082 people have pledged to telework.
Telework Exchange estimates $1 million will be saved in commuting costs, and greenhouse gas emissions will fall by 647 tons. If the same people teleworked one day each week, all year, they could collectively save $26 million in commuting costs.
“Work is what you do, not where you are,” said Martha Johnson, administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration. “Telework is revolutionizing the way government works, helping us to be more mobile, more agile, more flexible, more productive, and deliver better results for the American people. Telework Week plays an important role in this by giving employers and employees an opportunity to test their telework capacity, identify possible gaps in their IT backbone, and build their mobile work muscle.”
In the Washington area, however, the GSA is in the process of closing 14 agency-operated telework centers. Two of these centers were in the Fredericksburg area: One in the Southpoint shopping center in Spotsylvania, and another near Garrisonville Road in North Stafford.
Instead, the GSA is encouraging employees to telework from home.
By Kelly Hannon on February 8th, 2011 12:41 pm
The National Academy of Sciences has just published a report that calls for the U.S. Department of Defense to bear more of the financial burden associated with traffic congestion generated from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission process.
That process shifted thousands of defense jobs to new locations by Sept. 2011, including several thousand positions moving to the Marine Corps Base at Quantico.
But moving so many positions means people will need a new way to get to work.
The report looks at the traffic implications at five specific locations affected by BRAC, including Fort Belvoir in Northern Virginia.
“Fort Belvoir is a single base that includes three noncontiguous geographic areas located in Northern Virginia,” according to the study. “It is the single largest employer in Fairfax County, and after BRAC consolidations are completed it will house more workers than does the Pentagon.”
It continues: “The case study reports that many thousands of employees, both military and civilian, are being moved from employment centers located nearer the center of the region, with well-developed highway and transit networks, to more remote locations where road and transit service is comparatively poor, competitive transit service is virtually impossible to achieve, and most people travel in individual cars. Transportation facilities serving the Fort Belvoir area are already overloaded and suffer severe congestion even before the arrival of new employees.”
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., both issued statements reacting to the study.
“This independent analysis confirms the need for the Defense Department to more fully evaluate congestion issues and explore mass transit opportunities as it is responding to the expansion challenges at our military facilities,” Warner said in a written statement. “It was clear to the Virginia and Maryland delegations that there would be a significant and unsustainable congestion impact as a result of the BRAC-related expansions at Mark Center, Fort Belvoir, Bethesda and Fort Meade, and the National Academy has validated those concerns. Better coordination on these issues and stronger partnerships with the surrounding communities could go a long way in helping to maintain the quality of life of our residents, business owners and commuters, and we look forward to working with the Defense Department to determine how we can improve these outdated regulations.”
In a written statement, Webb said: “There is no question that, as a result of BRAC consolidation, many communities that have already experienced dramatic population growth are now facing even more challenges with increased traffic. This independent study confirms what we have been saying for some time: that many of the affected communities lack the funding and time to complete major projects before BRAC growth occurs, and that the Defense Department should do more to address communities’ urgent transportation and infrastructure needs.”
By Kelly Hannon on February 7th, 2011 4:40 pm
In Stafford, “major delays” can be expected on southbound Interstate 95 near the Centreport Parkway interchange due to a brush fire, according to 511Virginia.
The southbound right lane and right shoulder are currently closed, and traffic backups are approximately 2 miles.
By Kelly Hannon on February 4th, 2011 3:04 pm
Virginia State Police plan to increase their patrols in Northern Virginia on Sunday looking for drunk and aggressive drivers.
The “saturation patrols” will target interstates from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 6.
“We want people to enjoy themselves, but not at the expense of hurting or killing others by getting behind the wheel and driving drunk,” said Virginia State Police First Sergeant Eric J. Penree in a written statement. “If you expect to attend or host a party, plan ahead and make safe, responsible choices when it comes to alcohol consumption. Whatever you do, do not drive impaired.”
Nearly a third of U.S. traffic fatalities in 2009 were in alcohol-impaired motor vehicle crashes.
State police ideas are below if you are attending a party or hosting a Super Bowl party this year.
“If you are hosting a party:
- Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
- Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
- Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.
If you are attending a party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:
- Designate your sober driver before the party begins.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks, and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
- If you don’t have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.”
By Kelly Hannon on February 4th, 2011 11:20 am
The east and west through lanes of State Route 602 (Old Office Road) in Orange County are currently closed due to standing water, near the vicinity of Burr Hill Road, according to 511Virginia.
Motorists should expect delays.
By Kelly Hannon on February 2nd, 2011 1:05 pm
Legislation containing Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s transportation funding proposal was passed by two key committees in the Virginia General Assembly this week.
Today, the plan passed the Senate Finance Committee in a 12-2 vote, according to a statement from the governor’s office.
In the Senate, the governor’s transportation funding initiatives are included in SB 1446.
Yesterday, the House of Delegates Appropriations Committee passed the plan in a 17-5 vote. In the House the governor’s transportation funding proposal is in HB 2527, which was introduced by Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford.
McDonnell’s proposal would make $4 billion available for transportation funding over the next three years using a variety of bonds, loans, and funds identified in a government audit.
The governor’s office has provided a list of 900 transportation projects that could be funded with the $4 billion.
In the Fredericksburg area, local projects on that list include building a new Fall Hill Avenue overpass of Interstate 95, widening U.S. 17 in Stafford to Stafford Lakes Parkway, advancing the I-95/395 High Occupancy Toll lanes project, and building a parallel lane to State Route 3 between Lignum and Stevensburg.
By Kelly Hannon on February 1st, 2011 5:52 pm
With a wintry mix in the forecast for this evening in the Washington area, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management has already announced that federal workers are authorized tomorrow (February 1) to telework or take unscheduled leave.
In the Fredericksburg area, we are not yet in a winter storm watch or winter storm advisory zone, according to the National Weather Service. We do have a hazardous weather outlook.
The National Weather Service is calling for a “light wintry mix including freezing rain” to impact the Fredericksburg area tonight, and warns that a winter winter advisory may be called for ice accumulation later tonight.
Our chance of precipitation is 30 percent this afternoon and tonight, with a 50 percent change of precipitation tomorrow, which includes a chance of freezing rain before 11 a.m.
By Kelly Hannon on January 31st, 2011 1:32 pm
Icy conditions on many area roads are reported this morning, according to 511Virginia.
Several primary roads in the Fredericksburg area are in minor condition this morning, according to 511Virginia, which is operated by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
“Minor” means there are patches of ice, snow and slush, and the roads are passable with caution. U.S. 17, State Route 208, State Route 2 (Tidewater Trail) and sections of U.S. 1 were in minor conditions at 7:30 a.m.
Interstate 95, State Route 3 and State Route 610 appeared to be without any minor/moderate/or severe designation. Interstate 95 changes to minor condition in Prince William, and many roads leading to the interstate in Fairfax, Alexandria and Arlington appear to be in moderate or severe condition.
To view road conditions on 511Virginia, click on “Road Conditions” on the left toolbar, and zoom in on the Fredericksburg area.
By Kelly Hannon on January 27th, 2011 7:38 am
511Virginia is reporting a number of vehicle crashes on Interstate 95 at approximately 4 p.m.
In Stafford:
*Lane closures exist for a multiple-vehicle crash on northbound I-95 at Exit 140/Courthouse Road in Stafford.
*A crash one mile before Exit 140 on northbound I-95 may also be causing delays, and has closed one shoulder.
*Another multiple-vehicle crash has closed lanes on northbound I-95 at mile marker 147, which is shortly before the Marine Corps Base at Quantico exit.
In Spotsylvania:
*Northbound lanes are closed near mile marker 122, shortly before the Spotsylvania exit at mile marker 126, for a vehicle crash.
*The southbound left lane is closed at mile marker 119 for a vehicle crash, one mile before the Thornburg exit. A traffic back-up of one mile was reported.
*Delays at mile marker 118 in Spotsylvania’s Thornburg exit for a vehicle crash, with lane closures.
*A northbound shoulder is closed at mile marker 117, one mile before the Thornburg exit, for a vehicle crash.
*Lane closures exist near a vehicle crash on northbound I-95 near mile marker 116, two miles before the Thornburg exit.
In Caroline:
*A crash at mile marker 113 in Caroline has closed a shoulder.
Also, reporter Rusty Dennen shared that a caller from Spotsylvania reported about half an inch of sleet on roads east of Berkeley Elementary School near Partlow, with several accidents in the road.
Free Lance-Star reporter Cathy Dyson, on her way home to Fauquier County, said U.S. 17 is icy. She saw three accidents between Hartwood and the Fauquier line. One involved a Stafford County animal control vehicle. “People were just zipping by until we hit Hartood,” she said.
By Kelly Hannon on January 26th, 2011 4:19 pm
Compared to the snowstorms of 2010, the predicted 5 to 9 inches of snow the Fredericksburg area may receive today and tomorrow may seem skimpy by comparison.
Still, driving in any amount of snow is far more treacherous than driving on dry pavement, and let’s face it, this winter most of us are out of practice.
The National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning has the following warning about travel: “A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow is expected or occurring. Strong winds are also possible. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible.”
Very hazardous or impossible.
If you must go out, check road conditions before you leave by either calling 511, or visiting 511Virginia.
Below are tips the Virginia Department of Transportation sent out today for traveling in winter weather. Pay extra attention to the final tip, discussing how vehicles respond differently in snow or ice.
As a fellow Free Lance-Star reporter put it recently, a vehicle with four-wheel drive does not necessarily have four-wheel stop.
“VDOT TIPS
- Postpone unnecessary travel until conditions improve. If you must drive, know the current road conditions and weather forecasts.
- Make sure your windows, mirrors and lights are clear of ice and snow.
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Allow extra time to travel to your destination.
- Be aware of potentially icy areas such as bridges, overpasses and shady spots. Also, if there is heavy snow, ice or high winds, be alert to potential driving hazards including downed branches, trees and electric lines.
- Reduce speed as appropriate and keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles and snowplows.
- Do not pass a snowplow unless it is absolutely necessary. Remember, the plow is clearing a path for you.
- Keep an emergency winter driving kit in your car. The kit should include a small bag of rock salt, sand or cat litter to provide traction in case you get stuck, a snowbrush and ice scraper, a flashlight, battery booster cables, a blanket and extra clothing.
- Practice common sense. Remember that your car cannot start, stop, or turn as quickly and surely on snow or ice as it does on dry pavement, so think and drive accordingly.”
By Kelly Hannon on January 26th, 2011 2:57 pm
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Kelly Hannon is the transportation reporter for The Free Lance-Star.
