Letter to Bob Vogel, National Capital Regional Director of the National Park Service - Schedule Long-Delayed Fort Dupont Road Repaving Project

Letter

Dear Regional Director Vogel:

I write concerning the National Park Service's (NPS) constant delays on the planned rebuilding and repaving of roads in Fort Dupont Park. While NPS has listed the project in its multi-year Transportation Improvement Program and has indicated that the project is a priority, funds for the $4 million project have been diverted for emergency repairs of the Arlington Memorial Bridge.

In 2015, NPS informed my office that the rebuilding design work was currently underway and should be completed by that summer. Now, residents have seen the reconstruction of the roads rescheduled several times. With time allotted for contracting and advertisement, NPS predicted construction would begin in the spring of 2016. In the meantime, NPS conducted "cold mix" patching throughout the winters, but in light of past patches, this is not sufficient.

I understand fully that the Arlington Memorial Bridge is in need of not only emergency repairs costing $5 million but also reconstruction that will cost up to $250 million. Because the Arlington Memorial Bridge is a gateway from the South and carries thousands of commuters and visitors daily, I have taken the lead in working with my House colleagues to find a funding source for the bridge. However, the Arlington Memorial Bridge cannot serve as an excuse for NPS to again ignore the needs of D.C. residents and emergency response personnel who use the roads in Fort Dupont Park daily. I ask that you schedule the rebuilding and repaving the roads in Fort Dupont Park have long needed.

Please provide my office with an update within 30 days as to when NPS plans to begin construction on the roads in Fort Dupont Park.

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