Dulles Rail Costs Could Increase Between $3-$6 Million a Month

According to an article by Bill Turque in today's Washington Post, starting tomorrow, the estimated cost of the proposed Metrorail extension to Dulles International Airport, currently $2.7 billion, will go up between $3 million and $6 million a month.

The cost escalation is part of the terms of the contract between Virginia and airport officials and a private construction consortium headed by Bechtel Inc. It is tied to the federal government?s review of the project to determine whether it qualifies for $900 million in funding under the Federal Transit Administration?s New Starts program. That review is not complete.

In a Washington Examiner article by Bill Flook, MWAA spokeswoman Tara Hamilton said that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is managing the Dulles rail project, "has asked the FTA to approve an agreement that would hold off the Aug. 1 cost escalation."

A report last week from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General said, "If this deadline is not met - and it appears unlikely that it will be - the effects on project costs could be significant."

Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer said delays would increase the price tag by $3 to $6 million each month.

The FTA is weighing whether to commit $900 million to the first phase. Next month, the agency is expected to release the results of two separate reviews of the project that will determine whether the project is eligible for that money.

Making Our Streets Safer

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office says the results of a weekend sobriety checkpoint show motorists are getting the message not to drink and drive.

Nearly 400 cars passed through the checkpoint held on Route 606 at Dulles Trade Place from 11 p.m. Saturday to 3 a.m. Sunday. The agency found no motorists driving under the influence of alcohol. "This is a sign that the DUI checkpoints have been successful in encouraging drivers to use better judgment," said Sheriff Steve Simpson.

The Sheriff's Office currently conducts one sobriety checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays. The Sheriff's Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving.

Over the past several years Loudoun County has seen a marked decrease in the number of alcohol related crashes and fatalities. In 2004 there were 236 alcohol related traffic crashes, in 2005 there were 184, and 188 in 2006. In 2004, there were eight alcohol related traffic fatalities with three fatalities in both 2005 and 2006.

The checkpoint did find three motorists who were driving without a license and one driver who had a suspended license. The agency has been conducting license checkpoints throughout the county this summer. In the three checkpoints conducted so far, a total of 39 unlicensed drivers have been cited.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

From time to time, Loudoun County Traffic will bring you a "picture is worth a 1,000 words," feature. Designed to show various roadways and intersections and different times of the day, our picture feature will highlight what you already know if you travel the featured roadways -- that traffic in Loudoun County can be bad.

And if you don't travel on our featured photo, perhaps the observation will give you pause the next time you think about traveling in that direction at that time of day.

Today's picture for Monday, July 30, 2007, is the Waxpool Road exit off 28 heading into Ashburn. This picture was taken just after 5 p.m. today. As you can see, it's stop and go coming off the ramp merging onto Waxpool. And what you don't see is the rear view mirror shot, which shows traffic bumper to bumper on the ramp off 28.

We hope you enjoy our picture feature, and if you have a traffic picture you'd like to share, e-mail them to us at LoudounCountyTraffic@hotmail.com. If you want credit, be sure to give us your name or screen name -- whatever you want to be recognized with -- or we can publish anonymously if you prefer.

Thanks for stopping by.

More Media Coverage of Dulles Metro Expansion

More media coverage of the Metro extension to Dulles and that the project may not meet guidelines for federal funding because of the high estimated costs. Read the Saturday Washington Post story, the Sunday Washington Examiner article and the Associated Press article.

Dulles Rail Project May Not Rate High Enough for Federal Funds

According to a report by the Federal Transit Administration, the project to build a rail line (Dulles Rail) in the median of the Dulles Toll Road is unlikely to get a high enough cost-effectiveness rating to be eligible for federal funds, throwing into doubt a proposed takeover of the Dulles Toll Road by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

A report from the USDOT's Inspector General's Office (PDF) says the rail project's first 18.7 km (11.6mi) phase was already near an unacceptable cost-effectiveness rating of "low" when its estimated cost was $2.07 Billion. The cost has since ballooned to a range of $2.4 Billion to $2.7 Billion. The project must achieve a final cost-effectiveness rating of at least medium-low or it will not be eligible for New Starts funding, and achieving this rating may prove difficult with the current cost increases according to the FTA report.

Further, the report says that "even at this early stage, Phase I of the Dulles Project has experienced substantial growth in estimated costs of approximately $1 billion since 2004. The project has also had schedule slippages of about 4 years. In past reviews of major projects, rapid cost growth and schedule slippages so early in the project were clear signs of risk. The reliability of the current cost estimate is unknown."

And the report says that "over the past year, the project has generated a great deal of attention and controversy. Most prominently, there have been debates over whether or not to proceed with the project’s current design, which runs almost entirely above ground, or to substitute this design with a large tunnel through the Tysons Corner, Virginia, area. "

The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project proposes a 23.1 mile extension of Metrorail in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including 11 additional Metrorail stations. It would also add a new Metrorail line — the Silver Line — to the existing mass transit system operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The Dulles Metrorail extension is almost entirely above ground. The project is segmented into two distinct phases, which are essentially separate transit projects.

• Phase I is the first 11.6-mile segment that would run from near the existing West Falls Church Metrorail Station and through the Tysons Corner area to Wiehle Avenue in Reston. As currently envisioned, Phase I would run largely above ground with a short tunnel section under the Route 7 and Route 123 interchange.
• Phase II would continue Metrorail service through the Dulles International Airport to Loudoun County.

The report concluded with its recommendations that the Federal Transit Administrator:

1. Conduct all of the reviews involved in the New Starts process per FTA regulations with extra vigilance and consider going beyond those reviews regarding the sufficiency of local funding sources, the contractual and associated arrangements that deal with WMATA, and MWAA’s project management plan.
2. Consider reevaluating the transportation user benefits for the Dulles Project in accordance with current FTA policy and use this updated figure to make any decisions regarding New Starts funding for the project.
3. Closely coordinate with the TIFIA Credit Council to share information about the project.

The report also recommend that when reviewing the TIFIA loan application, the TIFIA Credit Council conduct an independent rigorous review of the Dulles Project that takes into account all of the unusual risks associated with the project.

More info can also be found in this WJLA TV-7 news story.

State Corporation Commission Recommends Toll Hike

According to a story by Hank Silverburg of WTOP Radio, it could get much more expensive to travel the 14 miles from Leesburg to Dulles. WTOP reports that staff at the State Corporation Commission recommend a toll increase to $4.80 for the Dulles Greenway by 2012.

The story also says that Rep. Frank R. Wolf, R-Va., is asking the SCC to hold off on formal approval until the General Assembly can review the decision.

Read more about the Toll Road Investors Partnership II, L.P. (TRIP II), owner of the Dulles Greenway, filing for a toll rate hike, as well as the executive summary of the application. For more information on the Dulles Greenway, visit their Web site at www.dullesgreenway.com

Got any comments on the proposed hike? Please post your thoughts below.

Dulles Greenway Seeks Yet Another Toll Increase

According to a news release on the Dulles Greenway Web site, Toll Road Investors Partnership II, L.P. (TRIP II), owner of the Dulles Greenway, the tolled highway which extends 14 miles from Leesburg to the Dulles International Airport, has filed a new toll schedule application with the State Corporation Commission (SCC) which regulates the scheduled tolls on the Dulles Greenway.

The rates just went up, with the maximum toll for cars to be $2.70 and has a maximum ceiling of $3.00 effective July 1, 2007. The new application requests a toll schedule that provides small incremental increases in the 2-axle vehicle toll over five years to a new maximum toll cap for off-peak traffic of $4.00, effective January 1, 2012.

Mr. Tom Sines, Chief Executive Officer of TRIP II was quoted as saying, “Under the requested toll schedule, the Dulles Greenway will continue to provide significant value for money to road users. We believe the requested toll schedule satisfies the regulatory requirements.”

Read more in the Dulles Greenway news release on the toll increase request, along with an executive summary of the application. For more information on the Dulles Greenway, visit their Web site at http://www.dullesgreenway.com/.

Loudoun County Gets Sliver of $13 Million in State Transportation Safety Grants

Yesterday, Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced the award of more than $13 million in grants to local, state, and non-profit programs that support transportation safety. The grants, primarily comprised of federal funds, include $2.6 million in local matching funds. Loudoun County will receive -- for selective enforcement -- $54,460.00 in federal funds with a $10,892.00 local match, for a total of $65,352.00.

Funds will support programs designed to increase the use of safety belts and child safety seats, deter aggressive and impaired driving, and promote awareness of risks for both teen and older drivers.

In total, 263 grants were approved and awarded to 16 state agencies and 247 nonprofit organizations and localities (PDF file of grants and recipients). For more information regarding grant opportunities with DMV, visit http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/general/safety/grants/announcement.asp.

Concerns Voiced at Meeting on Toll Road

WTOP Radio's Adam Tuss reports today that as the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority gets ready to take over control of the Dulles Toll Road from the Virginia Department of Transportation, some area residents are concerned about a increase in the toll rates.

The current tolls are 75 cents at the main toll plaza, with an additional 25 cents for each extra axle. The toll is 50 cents at all other tolled on/off ramps, plus 25 cents for each additional axle. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority says tolls will not go up immediately.

Another meeting will be held tonight, Thursday, July 26, 2007, at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Premier Hotel at Tysons Corner, 8861 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Virginia. (see yesterday's post for more details)

Airport Authority to Hold Meeting Tonight on Dulles Toll Road

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will hold public hearings on proposed regulation of the Dulles Toll Road, if adopted by the Airports Authority, that would be effective upon the transfer of the Dulles Toll Road from the Virginia Department of Transportation to the Airports Authority. This transfer is anticipated to occur in September, 2007. The tolls set out in the proposed regulation are the same as are now in effect, as established by VDOT.

The WMATA meetings will be held tonight, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at 7 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Dulles-North Hotel, 44610 Waxpool Road, Ashburn, Virginia, and on Thursday, July 26, 2007, at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Premier Hotel at Tysons Corner, 8861 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Virginia. Speakers must limit their remarks to five minutes.

If you can't attend, written comments may be addressed to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Office of the General Counsel, 1 Aviation Circle, Washington, D.C. 20001-6000, or e-mailed to Comments@mwaa.com.

Written comments must be received no later than July 27, 2007, to be assured of consideration by the Airports Authority. Final action to adopt Authority regulations must be taken by the Authority’s Board of Directors. It is anticipated that the Board will consider the proposed regulation, or a revised version of it, at its August 8, 2007, meeting. The current Authority regulations may be viewed at www.mwaa.com under "Publications."

HOT Lanes Public Meetings

The first in a series of public meetings on the proposed I-95/395 HOT lanes was held Monday night. The plan calls for converting the HOV lanes that go from Washington to Prince William County into High-Occupancy Toll, or HOT, lanes.

Meetings are scheduled later in the week in Arlington, Woodbridge and Fredericksburg and next week in Spotsylvania. For more information about the I-95/395 HOV/Bus/HOT Lanes Project, visit VirginiaDOT.org/hotlanes.

Check out WJLA TV-7's story on the meetings.

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UPDATE: Suspect in Hit and Run Turns Himself In

A Lovettsville man turned himself over to authorities this afternoon for his involvement in a hit and run and larceny at a Western Loudoun Convenience Store. The suspect apparently turned himself in after a citizen received an e-mail alert from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office regarding the incident.

Jeffrey Michael Bellman, 20, was charged with felony hit and run, misdemeanor hit and run, larceny, and underage possession of alcohol. Bellman remains held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on a $10,000 bond.

The victim was airlifted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital for a head injury. He was released early Tuesday morning.

The Loudoun Sheriff's Office used the Loudoun Alert System to notify county residents and business owners of the incident on Monday night. The alert system allows residents to receive instant notification of including Missing and Endangered Persons, Road Closures, Wanted Subjects, and Press Releases covering general news and information.

"We think the system is of great value to county residents because whenever there's a major incident it is important they receive the information quickly and accurately," said Sheriff Steve Simpson. "People having information can make a difference," he added.

The Alert System is free and allows those who sign up to receive the latest news affecting the county. The information can be sent to their e-mail and cell phones or pagers that receive text messaging. Residents may register by logging onto the county Web site at www.loudoun.gov/ and clicking on Alert Loudoun System. The alert system can also be accessed at the Sheriff's Office Web site at www.loudoun.gov/sheriff. The service is available to anyone with an e-mail account.

Be On the Lookout...

The Loudoun County Sheriff?s Office is searching for a vehicle involved in a larceny and a hit and run that left a man in serious condition Monday evening in Lovettsville.

Around 7:15 p.m. a white male teenage suspect entered the convenience store of the Liberty Gas Station at 12842 Berlin Turnpike. The teen attempted to buy alcohol but was denied by the cashier because of the suspect?s age. The suspect then threw down some money and grabbed the beer as he fled from the store. He then jumped into a small passenger car, described as an older model blue Geo Storm. The car was occupied by a black male passenger.

At this time an adult customer attempted to grab the suspect as he attempted to drive away. The customer was dragged by the suspect vehicle as it struck another vehicle in the parking lot. The customer fell to the ground as the suspect vehicle drove away at a high rate of speed northbound on Berlin Turnpike. The customer who was dragged by the car was airlifted to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment for serious injuries.

Anyone who knows the identity of the suspect or has seen this vehicle in the Lovettsville area is asked to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff?s Office at 703-777-1021. If the caller wishes to remain anonymous they are asked to contact Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919. If the information leads to an arrest and indictment the caller could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Online Traffic Complaint Form

Do you have a traffic complaint about Loudoun County traffic? Okay, okay... more specifically, a complaint involving traffic lights, speeding or stop signs?

If so, use the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office online traffic complaint form. It's a quick form to fill out. You just check the nature of the complaint, what day(s) it happened, the approximate time, location and a detailed description. You also have to leave your name and contact information, but not your e-mail address.

You can access the online form at: http://www.loudoun.gov/sheriff/complaint.htm

Loudoun Sheriff' s Office Continues Crackdown on Unlicensed Drivers in County

The Loudoun Sheriff’s Office continues its crackdown on unlicensed drivers in the county with two recent checkpoints in Ashburn and CountrySide. The locations for the checkpoints were selected after deputies patrolling these areas came across a number of unlicensed drivers during daily traffic stops.

On Wednesday, Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a driver’s license checkpoint on Ashburn Farm Parkway at Sanders Corner Elementary School from 3:15 to 7 p.m. During the checkpoint, 1,826 vehicle passed through with 74 summonses issued. Fourteen drivers were caught driving without an operator’s license and three were driving on a suspended license. Another driver was charged with DUI and a juvenile was apprehended in connection with a recent burglary of an Ashburn restaurant.

The agency conducted a similar checkpoint last week in CountrySide. On July 11, Sheriff’s Deputies worked the area of CountrySide Boulevard and Minor Road from 4:15 to 7 p.m. In total, 1,635 vehicles passed through and 68 summonses were issued. The summonses included 16 drivers cited for driving without a license and four drivers who were driving on a suspended license.

The Sheriff’s Community Policing Section, with assistance from the Traffic Safety Unit, School Resource Officers, Field Operations, the K9 Unit and the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Unit conducted the checkpoint.

From the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

Millions to Come to Loudoun County for Road Projects

According to an article in today's Leesburg Today, Widening the Leesburg Bypass to six lanes and building the Sycolin flyover is fully funded in the state's Six-Year Improvement Plan with construction set to begin in FY 2013. The state is pledging $43 million to the project, which is designed to drastically improve traffic flow on the southeastern stretch of the bypass by adding one lane in each direction and removing the light at Sycolin Road.

More on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Vote

Catch the Connection article on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority's vote on July 12 to approve new taxes to raise $300 million for transportation.

According to the article, the new taxes, spread over vehicle registration, auto maintenance and the tourist industry, will take effect Jan. 1, 2008, and are expected to raise approximately $300 million annually for transit and road projects in Northern Virginia.

The authority - made up of local elected leaders, General Assembly members and state appointees - voted overwhelmingly in favor of the tax package. Several authority members said they were not happy about raising local taxes but felt the decision was necessary.

The Connection went on to add that Loudoun County Board of Supervisors chairman Scott York voted for only two of the seven taxes.

Dulles South

Attention graphic artists...

Dulles South is looking for a new look. According to their blog, Dulles South Online is hosting a local contest for the best depiction of the area in a clear, easy-to-read and representative logo for the Dulles South Region, to be leveraged or promoted among all businesses and government entities as a symbol of the area's incredible natural beauty, historical significance, religious diversity, business and economic value, focus on schools and education, Internet presence, and overall reflection of the educated, diverse and engaged family-centric local population.

If you're interested, you can find out all the details on their logo contest page, which has been extended to close of business on July 31.

The Loudoun Times, which by the way launched its new Internet site late last week, has a story on Dulles South and their new logo contest in today's paper.

What a Difference a Traffic Light Makes

Did you happen to be on 28 North near Waxpool Road at Pacific Boulevard this afternoon during rush hour? If so, you know it wasn't much of a rush. The Loudoun County Sherrif's Department was on scene directing traffic thanks to a traffic light that was out at Waxpool and Pacific Boulevard.

Traffic was backed up big time on 28 North causing a huge delay. As of about 6 p.m. traffic was backed up as far as the eye could see, with no sight of a repair crew. You might want to avoid the intersection for a while if possible.

"Abusive Driver" Fees Could Become Political Issue

According to an article in today's Washington Post, an online petition against Virginia's steep new "abusive driver" fees neared 100,000 signatures Monday, accelerating lawmakers' calls for the General Assembly to rescind them before voters go to the polls Nov. 6.

Pointing up the political power of the issue, at one point Monday more than 1,000 people an hour were signing the petition demanding that lawmakers repeal the fees -- some of which can top $1,000 -- or risk being voted out of office.

Washington Post Blog

Hmmmmm... is it coincidence that the Washington Post starts a new Loudoun County blog the same day as Loudoun County Traffic begins? We think not. LOL!

But seriously, if you haven't seen it yet, it is quite impressive. And they even feature a couple of Web cams, for example this one at Route 28 just south of Waxpool Road.



Go ahead and check out the Post's Extra for everything about Loudoun County, and be sure to visit Loudoun County Traffic for just one thing -- traffic issues here in Loudoun County, Virginia. And be sure to participate. Voice your opinion about traffic issues and solutions. After all, your participation is what will make this site useful for everyone who lives here.

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Welcome to Loudoun County Traffic

Hello and welcome to Loudoun County Traffic, a blog dedicated to traffic and transit issues affecting Loudoun County.

Loudoun County Traffic hopes to be your source for news, information and opinion about traffic issues affecting the county. And to do that, we'll need your help.

We'll be providing updates on traffic concerns and links to articles of interest from the area media. We encourage you to comment on anything posted here and let's us this blog to let county, regional and state officials know how the residents of Loudoun County feel about traffic issues affecting us all.

Thanks for stopping by, reading, adding your "two cents" worth from time to time, and of course, for letting your friends and neighbors know where they can find out the latest on Loudoun County Traffic.