WASHINGTON, March 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new Pentagon visitor entrance opened on March 7, 2016, adjacent to the Pentagon Transit Center.
The new facility includes enhanced technologies and greater capacity to safely screen more than 1,000 daily visitors for hazardous, contraband, and unauthorized material before they enter the Pentagon. All visitors and Pentagon tour participants are now screened and processed in an area separate from Pentagon employees entering the building.
"This facility takes us to the next level of security screening and will enable us to better protect Pentagon employees and visitors in an evolving threat environment," said PFPA Director Steven E. Calvery.
The hours of operation for the facility are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. All visitors are strongly encouraged to register at least three business days prior to their visit to minimize waits. For information on how visitors can pre-register, valid forms of identification, and additional Pentagon access information, visit http://www.pfpa.mil/access.html.
Government and military DoD CAC holders are not required to have an escort but are still encouraged to register prior to their visit to facilitate access. Walkup visitors that have not preregistered may experience delays before access to the Building is granted.
Pentagon tour groups are accepted at the Visitor Entrance between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. All Pentagon Tour participants are required to register online prior to arriving at the Pentagon.
The facility is operated by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and includes queuing areas, badging stations, interview rooms, and screening areas equipped with modern screening technology.
The facility took three years to complete from design to opening and cost approximately $6.46M. The aesthetic design elements of the project have been approved by the National Capital Planning Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, and Virginia State Historic Preservation Officer.
PFPA is a civilian Defense Agency within the Department of Defense charged with protecting and safeguarding the occupants, visitors, and infrastructure of the Pentagon and other DoD facilities in the National Capital Region. For more information, visit www.pfpa.mil.
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SOURCE Pentagon Force Protection Agency
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