BRAC 133 Slug Line

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   I've been working at the Mark Center for about 8 years now, long before BRAC, and have been slugging about 7 years since moving to Woodbridge/Dumfries area.  I slug to the Pentagon, from 234 or Potomac before it shut down, and then ride a shuttle bus to Mark Center.  The new 7M metro bus has made getting to/from Mark Center/Pentagon even more flexible.  I have noticed that the 7M bus is getting more full as the weeks go on since the new building opened.

	Clearly avoiding the extra time with the busses would be better.  As far as the question about whether to get off HOV at Springfield and take 395 main lanes direct to Seminary or to HOV all the way to Pentagon: it depends.  I sometimes ride my motorcycle on HOV and have to make that same decision each time.  If 95/395 is not jammed the better choice is to get off HOV. However, as the BRAC building fills up getting off 395 at exit 4 northbound may take more time.  On a bad traffic day stay on HOV to Pentagon, on a good traffic day (perhaps a Friday morning) get off HOV at Springfield and go direct to Mark Center.

	I'm all for setting up slug lanes to/from 234.  Horner Road is probably another good location.

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Mjdarcy97 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 21 Sep 2011 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mjdarcy97 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Sep 2011 at 8:15am
	I've been working at the Mark Center for about 8 years now, long before BRAC, and have been slugging about 7 years since moving to Woodbridge/Dumfries area. I slug to the Pentagon, from 234 or Potomac before it shut down, and then ride a shuttle bus to Mark Center. The new 7M metro bus has made getting to/from Mark Center/Pentagon even more flexible. I have noticed that the 7M bus is getting more full as the weeks go on since the new building opened. Clearly avoiding the extra time with the busses would be better. As far as the question about whether to get off HOV at Springfield and take 395 main lanes direct to Seminary or to HOV all the way to Pentagon: it depends. I sometimes ride my motorcycle on HOV and have to make that same decision each time. If 95/395 is not jammed the better choice is to get off HOV. However, as the BRAC building fills up getting off 395 at exit 4 northbound may take more time. On a bad traffic day stay on HOV to Pentagon, on a good traffic day (perhaps a Friday morning) get off HOV at Springfield and go direct to Mark Center. I'm all for setting up slug lanes to/from 234. Horner Road is probably another good location.

gawinkworth Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote gawinkworth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Sep 2011 at 2:56pm
	@Mike2024 - We've been at the Mark Center for a few weeks now, and have several folks coming from all over the place. Of those who have tried the Springfield route(s), none have made the trip in less than 20-30 minutes. My wife and I pick up a Woodbridge area slug in the morning, drive into the Pentagon, and flip around. To date, it has added maybe 10 minutes to our commute; not bad at all. The biggest hang up obviously is getting off at the Pentagon. Depending on when you get in, that can be a bear. As for the slug line along the North Parking garage at the Mark Center, it'll hold maybe four cars, and I've never seen any bodies out there. In the near future I will be hitting the Customer Service office again to see about defining some slug lines INSIDE the building. Being able to step off the elevator, pick up a body, walk out to the garage, and hop on 395, works very nicely. Doesn't do anything to address the trip in, but it's a start toward taking care of the return trip. Geoffrey A Winkworth Senior Analyst/Developer AT&T Government Solutions, Inc. 571.372.4384

Mike2024 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike2024 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Sep 2011 at 11:32am
	Billy - I cant see your profile to send this directly to you - Iam a TacketMill / Horner Rd. Driver and (lucky me?) I have a parking spot at the Mark and we move in on 11 Nov 2011. Iam new to the area.... Do you know the back roads from the Springfield HOV exit to the Mark? Based on the below I assume comming South in the PM wont be the same problem... drop me a line at rob_martinez03@yahoo.com if you get anymore data on the location of a slug line, etc... "...Although there is currently no direct access on/off the HOV lanes at Seminary Road, commuters can access the HOV lanes via a slip ramp located approximately 2.5 miles south of Seminary Road...." Mike

Mike2024 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike2024 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Sep 2011 at 11:25am
	Per the BRAC 113 (Mark Center) WHS page -- "Although there is currently no direct access on/off the HOV lanes at Seminary Road, commuters can access the HOV lanes via a slip ramp located approximately 2.5 miles south of Seminary Road...." Iam a very new guy to the area but to me the real question is where to get from the HOV 'to' the Mark... Coming from the South must we take the Springfield exit ramp? Is going to the Pentagon and flipping back going to be closer/faster/easier? Mike

JustALilSlug Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 10 Feb 2011 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote JustALilSlug Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Sep 2011 at 7:27am
	I work near Skyline and wouldn't mind picking up slugs from dccl to mark center and reverse in the afternoon. I currently pick up slugs to pentagon Rosslyn, L'Enfant & Pentagon Slugger

mikejohnson553 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 19 Sep 2010 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote mikejohnson553 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Sep 2011 at 2:41pm
	There are a number of us in the Mark Center area that slug to the Pentagon and then bus/shuttle to the Mark Center area. I for one would like to be able to slug to/from Mark Center from/to one of the Stafford 610 lots. There is a southbound HOV entrance just south of Duke that would make afternoon pick up at the Mark Center easy.

SaltyDog Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote SaltyDog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Aug 2011 at 10:59am
	I'm proposing that we use either 234 or DCCL as a pick up/drop off spot for a new Mark Center slug line. Any prospective Mark Center sluggers please indicate your preference on the proposed new slug line forum? Thanks!

gawinkworth Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote gawinkworth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Aug 2011 at 7:07pm
	@Billie - I'm set to move in tomorrow; my wife at the end of the week. Needless to say, we're looking too. I don't relish the thought of having to trek back up to the Pentagon just to pick up a body, but as you said - better than the alternative. To the general population, I stopped by the Customer Service desk and asked about whether a slug line had been set up at the Mark Center. These folks have only been in the building for a couple weeks, so take this for what it's worth; they told me a slug line was being discussed and would eventually be located somewhere around the transportation center, but that nothing had been established yet. The number for the Customer Service Center is 571.372.4500. They were VERY pleasant to deal with and said if you have ANY questions, not to hesitate to give them a call 24/7. Will provide additional info as it becomes available. Geoffrey A Winkworth Senior Analyst/Developer AT&T Government Solutions, Inc. 571.372.4384

Billie Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 24 Jul 2011 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Billie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Aug 2011 at 5:16pm
	Already working at the Mark Center - looking for riders from Woodbridge/Dale City (either Montclair or Horner Road. Would necessitate getting off HOV at Springfield, I think. I think the thread will pick up and will work. Regardless of whether there's on/off access right at Seminary or not - still better than chuggin' along on I-95 with 18-wheelers and cell-phone users.

go2grl Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Location: virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote go2grl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Aug 2011 at 8:22pm
	I would love this. Started a new job in Alexandria, right off Little River Turnpike and the drive is pretty long in the afternoons down to Stafford. Any other place where we can get information on the whens, whats and wheres?