What’s Hot in BRAC?

Thursday, October 9, 2008

What’s Hot in BRAC?

NNMC HOT Information

Medical Swing Space (MSS, Navy Exchange Parking Lot) – Building units for the new MSS are currently being delivered to the campus and will continue to arrive through Oct. 17. In total, there are 40 modular units that will eventually construct a two-story facility. The units will arrive through the University Road gate off of Jones Bridge Road. They are staged in designated areas of the Navy Exchange parking lot, and will be placed and assembled by a crane. Depending on potential delays (i.e., weather), it is expected that movement of the units will be conducted during the week. ï Safety – New ‘‘Slow- Pedestrian Crossing” signs have been placed around the campus. All personnel must obey all traffic laws and be very cautious when approaching pedestrian crosswalks. Additionally, new portable speed bumps have been installed in key locations around the campus to help deter speeding. Additional lighting has been installed at the Emergency Room south well and at the temporary North Palmer Road to help illuminate these areas during the early morning and late evening hours. Personnel are reminded to exercise caution when traveling through these locations.

NNMC UNDER construction

Circle 7 – The pedestrian sidewalk leading to Building 7, also known as Circle 7, on the northeast side of the building is closed for a Storm Water Management project for the next few weeks. Additional signage has been installed to direct personnel within the medical center to the proper entry⁄exit and clinics affected by the closure of the walkway. For long term, a pathway has been constructed from the Circle 7 entry⁄exit along the side of the building and connects to the walkway in front of the Security Office entrance.

Building A – The foundations for the first of three tower cranes for Building A are complete. Sections of the crane are expected to arrive today. The crane will be operational on Tuesday.

National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) – The construction start date for this project has been revised to January 2009.

NNMC COMMUTER information

Parking – Parking on campus is very limited due to the BRAC construction. Personnel are highly encouraged to use other modes of commuting such as mass transit, ridesharing, biking or walking. Additionally, patients, visitors, and staff are reminded that general parking is available in lots G, E, D, K, H, I and along Stone Lake Road (between Lot K and Lot N.) Parking spaces at the Navy Lodge, the Fisher Houses, the Navy Exchange, the Bowling Alley and any other retail establishments are restricted to patron parking only.

Vanpooling – Due to limited parking availability on campus, personnel are encouraged to join the new vanpool program at National Naval Medical Center. Vanpooling helps to reduce commuter stress, helps employees to arrive to work on time, is cost effective and is a ‘‘green” alternative to solo driving. Most importantly, participation in a vanpool will guarantee you a parking space here at the campus. The vans are available in 7-, 9-, 12- and 15-seat passenger van sizes. All personnel are encouraged to find out about vanpool services in their areas. For more information or to start a vanpool, visit www.vanride.com.

Metrocheks – Effective Jan. 4, Metro will be discontinuing the production of Metrocheks in order to make a full transition to SmarTrip® cards. Those who still have Metrocheks after this date can still use them at turnstiles, and will also be able to transfer the unused balance to SmarTrip® cards, if you choose to do so. In addition, after March 31, Metro will not be able to accommodate replacement of any Metrocheks, if they are damaged, lost or need to be replaced. As a solution, the DOD will be issuing two forms of media fare: paper fare and smart benefits (or smartrip vouchers.) Ideally, participants would be able to transfer all subsidy funds to SmarTrip® cards, however not all transit providers are going to accept this type of payment. For example, Virginia Railway Express, Maryland Area Regional Commuter train, vanpools, and other transit modes will only accept SmartBenefits®. Therefore, two media fare, to be provided at the subsidy distribution, may be necessary for those who use these mass transit services. Finally, the first distribution of the paper fare and smart benefits vouchers by DOD will be in April 2009. Further information will follow on this subject as the date draws nearer.

Commuter Information Pamphlet⁄Literature Racks: Three brand new commuter information pamphlet racks have been installed in key areas throughout the Medical Center. The racks are in the following locations: Building 9, Floor 1, at the bottom of the escalators, just below the pharmacy; Building 9, Floor 1, next to the coffee shop that serves Starbucks; and in Building 2, off Main Street near the Red Box DVD Rental station and the new Dippin’ Dots vending machine. Everyone is encouraged to stop by the pamphlet racks to view information about county and regional bus and rail routes (to include Metro, VRE and MARC), carpooling⁄vanpooling assistance and biking, guaranteed ride home and ‘‘Live Near Your Work” programs.