Monday, March 3, 2008

Work on Dulles Rail Continues

The Washington Examiner reported on Saturday, that "contractors for the endangered Dulles Rail extension reached an agreement Friday that will allow them to continue engineering and utility work for another month despite grave doubt over the rail's ability to receive crucial federal funds."

"It's a gamble that banks on the 23-mile track's first phase receiving $900 million from the Federal Transit Administration, which the federal agency says is unlikely. The project is too expensive to justify the comparatively modest number of people who will ride it, according to the agency, which also cites disputes over management and Metro funding as reasons to withhold the funding.

"Three Maryland members of Congress and D.C. delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton urged U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters in a letter Wednesday to approve Dulles Rail. A source said the decision could come in the next two weeks.

"But in the meantime, the airports authority has taken the risk of allowing contractors to continue work as if the project were on track.

Stay tuned as the saga continues.

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