Dulles Metrorail Project Revived, But Still Faces Hurdles

After previously scrapping plans to continue with the Dulles Corridor Metro Rail Project, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that they are reversing their stance and are proceeding forward.

The FTA said it will move the Dulles Rail Project into the Final Design stage of their New Starts Process. The FTA said they will commit $158.7 million to use toward completion of a financial plan, construction plans, detailed engineering specification and cost estimates, and other technical requirements.

This is a crucial step, but there is still not a definite "yes" to the $900M needed to complete the project. In a letter to Governor Tim Kaine,  Transportation Secretary Mary Peters expressed several concerns the FTA has about the project including this one:

"Additionally, with respect to the Project’s cost and schedule, we appreciate the ongoing efforts to mitigate the risks to the public sector associated with the management and delivery of the Project. But we believe that the project still represents substantial risk to the taxpayers, and we urge you ton continue efforts to reduce public exposure and transfer risk from the public to the private sector."

One thing I noticed is that the letter starts off with:

"…the Federal Transit Administration…intends to advance the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project – Extension to Wiehle Avenue into the Final Design stage…"

Notice that the letter only mentions the extension to Wiehle Avenue in Reston. There’s no mention of the Final Design stage for the Loudoun part of the rail. It appears that the Loudoun part of the project is last on the list of priorities.

This is definitely great news, but we have a ways to go. Baby steps…

For more information, check out the follow articles/links:

"Dulles Metrorail gets FTA support" (U.S. Department of Transportation)

"Proposed Extension To Dulles Revived" (Washington Post)

"U.S. changes course on Dulles airport rail plan" (Reuters)

"Dulles Rail Project Faces Cuts as Costs Swell" (Washington Post)

-Danilo