Where do we go from here?
Jessica Sabbath
Jan 30, 2008
With federal funding for the 23-mile Metrorail extension in danger, is the project essentially dead?
The Washington Post reported today that Gov. Tim Kaine said burdensome toll increases on the Dulles Toll Road might be needed to make up for the funding shortfall if the Federal Transit Administration doesn’t provide its share of the project. Kaine says he would be unlikely to support such a toll increase.
Federal transportation officials told Virginia leaders last week that is unlikely to agree to the $900 million federal share of the $5 billion project.
The state still has some time to revise the project. But if federal funding is in doubt, rail to Dulles may never become more than a pipe dream.
Heavy (or light) rail access to Dulles Airport and further into Loudoun County is an absolute economic necessity for this western Metropolitan DC region. While it appears that local and regional business leaders are beginning to “gear up” in their organized response to the the FTA’s issues, it also appears that the original plans, program management strategy and funding sources may not be the right mix - and it’s up to regional and national businesses to get involved and contribute their time, assets and intelligence to help shape the solution.
Dulles South Online of South Riding, VA
Feb. 6, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Post a comment