BRAC needs worry officials

Localities lack federal help for schools, roads and utilities

"We know that isn't going to be done by the time the transition begins," said Leib, special assistant for BRAC to County Executive John R. Leopold. "So we've identified six intersections to improve that will help the flow of traffic in that interim time frame. And if there were additional federal funds made available, we could increase that to 22 intersections, easily. We could even increase that to 50."

Montgomery County, meanwhile, is asking the Pentagon to fund $21 million in improvements to Route 355, also known as the Rockville Pike, and the Medical Center Metro station through its Defense Access Roads program. Democrats Mikulski, Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin and Rep. Chris Van Hollen have urged the Department of Defense to include the projects in the program, which ordinarily funds work around rural installations.

"We are trying to establish a precedent," said Van Hollen, whose district includes much of Montgomery County. "And obviously, they're somewhat cautious about creating new precedents. With respect to the whole BRAC process, the military's position generally is that they do not assume the costs of the local impact."

In this case, Alperson is hopeful. Walter Reed, he notes, is the jewel of the military medical system - as well as the focus of widespread criticism over the mistreatment of some Iraq war veterans.

"I'm optimistic that they're going to look favorably on" the request, the Montgomery County official said. "This is one BRAC they need to get right."

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