Work at Herndon-Monroe Begins March 31

 The Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride garage, located at 12530 Sunrise Valley Drive, Herndon, will undergo major structural repair and maintenance work beginning March 31.

Commuters who use the 1,745-parking-space facility will be affected as areas of the garage will be blocked off in four phases for the construction project, with substantial completion of the work expected in September 2012. The anticipated dates of the four phases are phase one: March 31 - May 12; phase two: May 12 - June 23; phase three: June 23 - July 28; and phase four: July 28 - Sep. 1.

 As the construction moves from one phase to another, barriers and signs will be placed so that the construction areas are clearly defined. Notices will also be posted two weeks in advance of significant closings. Staff will be onsite between 7 a.m. and noon each weekday to assist customers. For detailed project information, customers should visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/parkandrides/closures.htm.

Each of the three stairwells will be closed at some point during construction, though only one stairwell will be closed at a time. The elevator will be shut down during phase three but will remain open throughout phases one, two and four. Overnight parking is prohibited in the garage. Vehicles parked overnight will be towed at the owner’s expense.

The Dulles Toll Road entrance to the garage will be closed for approximately one week at the beginning of phase two. The Sunrise Valley Drive entrance to the garage will be closed for approximately one week at the beginning of phase three. The third floor exit to the ramp that leads to the westbound Dulles Toll Road will also be closed at some point during phase three, but not at the same time as the entrance. Commuters should be proceed with caution inside the garage and watch for possible detours.

Approximately 450 of the 1,745 parking spaces will be unavailable during each phase. Parking alternatives for travel to West Falls Church Metrorail Station include:

• Reston South Park and Ride: 2531 Reston Parkway (near the intersection of Reston Parkway and Fox Mill Road); 412 spaces; served by Fairfax Connector routes 553, 557 and 585
• Sunset Hills Park and Ride: 12050 Sunset Hills Road (near the intersection of Sunset Hills Road and Town Center Parkway); 603 spaces; served by Fairfax Connector routes 505 and 555 

Other commuting alternatives for Herndon-Monroe customers include:

 Join a carpool or vanpool - call Fairfax County's RideSources program for free ride-matching at 703-877-5900, TTY 711 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/sources.htm.

• Nuride is a free, online carpool-matching service for temporary ride-sharing arrangements. For information, visitwww.nuride.com.
• ·Bike and Ride – To learn how to use the bicycle racks on the Fairfax Connector, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/riders/bike.htm.
•  Kiss and Ride - You can be dropped off at Herndon-Monroe’s Kiss and Ride. The Kiss and Ride will also be available for limited parking (approximately 10 spaces) during the temporary closure.