Reston Patch reports that Gov. Bob McDonnell says the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority's five proposals for construction of Phase 2 of the Silver Line came in far below expectations -- which he predicts will mean major savings for Virginia taxpayers and users of the Dulles Toll Road.
"The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Extension Project is one of the largest and most important infrastructure projects currently underway in the United States. Once complete, the project will provide a seamless connection for commuters and travelers from downtown Washington, D.C., to Washington Dulles International Airport and beyond," McDonnell said.
"Over the past two years, my administration, working with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, local leaders from Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, and MWAA, has taken steps to reduce the original cost estimates for Phase II by over $1 billion and eliminate mandatory union preferences from the bid documents. Last Friday, we saw the results of our efforts come to fruition, with the lowest of the proposals coming in over $300 million below estimates."
The Patch story notes that the $2.7 billion Phase 2 is being built without federal funding (Phase 1 received $900 million in federal dollars). It will run from Reston's Wiehle Avenue to Dulles International Airport and into Ashburn. It is expected to be finished in 2018. Part of the costs of Phase 2 will be borne by tolls from the Dulles Toll Road. Phase 1, from East Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue, is 90 percent complete and it slated to open in December.
Read the complete Patch article and the Governor's press release.
"The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Extension Project is one of the largest and most important infrastructure projects currently underway in the United States. Once complete, the project will provide a seamless connection for commuters and travelers from downtown Washington, D.C., to Washington Dulles International Airport and beyond," McDonnell said.
"Over the past two years, my administration, working with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, local leaders from Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, and MWAA, has taken steps to reduce the original cost estimates for Phase II by over $1 billion and eliminate mandatory union preferences from the bid documents. Last Friday, we saw the results of our efforts come to fruition, with the lowest of the proposals coming in over $300 million below estimates."
The Patch story notes that the $2.7 billion Phase 2 is being built without federal funding (Phase 1 received $900 million in federal dollars). It will run from Reston's Wiehle Avenue to Dulles International Airport and into Ashburn. It is expected to be finished in 2018. Part of the costs of Phase 2 will be borne by tolls from the Dulles Toll Road. Phase 1, from East Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue, is 90 percent complete and it slated to open in December.
Read the complete Patch article and the Governor's press release.
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