Agreement Moves Silver Line Opening to Summer

Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles today announced an agreement with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the agency responsible for construction of the Silver Line, that will move the line closer to opening day. 

Under the agreement, Metro will allow the Airports Authority additional time to complete certain items after the project is turned over to Metro, but prior to the start of passenger service. Without the agreement, the Airports Authority would have been required to complete all items before Metro takes control, meaning an opening date that would be later in the year.

The Airports Authority is still required to address all priority items – those that affect reliability or require significant track access – prior to handing the project off to Metro.

The Silver Line’s opening date will be set by the Metro Board of Directors after the project is in Metro’s control.

Read the complete Metro press release for more information.

See the agreement (PDF)

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Meeting Tonight on Proposed Metrorail Service Districts

Loudoun County will hold a public information session on the proposed Metrorail Service Districts being considered by the Board of Supervisors, tonight, Wednesday, October 10, from 7-9 p.m., at the Sterling Middle School, 201 W. Holly Avenue, Sterling. 

The proposed service districts, which are located in the areas surrounding the three planned Metro stations in Loudoun County, are designed to help pay for the construction of the Silver Line extension to Loudoun and the ongoing costs of providing Metrorail service at these stations.  An additional real property tax may be levied in the districts for these purposes, at a maximum rate of $0.20 per $100 of assessed property value.

The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed districts on Wednesday, October 17, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room of the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E. in Leesburg. 

More information, including detailed maps of the proposed districts, is online at www.loudoun.gov/dullesrail.
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Public Information Session on Metrorail Service Districts Tonight at 7 p.m.

Loudoun County is hosting a public information session on the proposed Metrorail Service Districts being considered by the Board of Supervisors, tonight, Thursday, October 4, from 7-9 p.m., at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building, 21000 Education Court, Ashburn.

The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed districts on Wednesday, October 17, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room of the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E. in Leesburg.
The proposed service districts, which are located in the areas surrounding the three planned Metro stations in Loudoun County, are designed to help pay for the construction of the Silver Line extension to Loudoun and the ongoing costs of providing Metrorail service at these stations.  An additional real property tax may be levied in the districts for these purposes, at a maximum rate of $0.20 per $100 of assessed property value.

More information, including detailed maps of the proposed districts, is online at www.loudoun.gov/dullesrail.
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Public Information Sessions, Public Hearing Set for Metrorail Service Districts

Loudoun County is hosting two public information sessions on the proposed Metrorail Service Districts being considered by the Board of Supervisors. The meetings will be held:

• Thursday, October 4, 7-9 p.m., at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building, 21000 Education Court, Ashburn
• Wednesday, October 10, 7-9 p.m., at the Sterling Middle School, 201 W. Holly Avenue, Sterling   

 
The information sessions will follow the same format as the Dulles Rail information sessions held earlier this year. Representatives from the county’s Department of Management and Financial Services, the Office of Transportation Services, and Public Affairs and Communications, along with representatives from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will be present.
 
The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed districts on Wednesday, October 17, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room of the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E. in Leesburg.
The proposed service districts, which are located in the areas surrounding the three planned Metro stations in Loudoun County, are designed to help pay for the construction of the Silver Line extension to Loudoun and the ongoing costs of providing Metrorail service at these stations.  An additional real property tax may be levied in the districts for these purposes, at a maximum rate of $0.20 per $100 of assessed property value.

More information, including detailed maps of the proposed districts, is online at www.loudoun.gov/dullesrail.

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Dulles Metrorail Silver Line Update

Construction of the Phase 1 of the Dulles Metrorail is 79 percent complete with tracks in place from East Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue and all five stations clearly taking shape.

Crews are turning their attention to station work and pedestrian bridges. Construction of pedestrian pavilions will provide access to bridges over Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and Chain Bridge Road (Route 123). In addition, crews continue to focus on the critical tie-in of the new Silver Line with the existing Orange Line.

Silver Line construction is on track for completion in the summer of 2013.

To read more rail updates, read the Dulles Metrorail September newsletter online now.


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New Website Offers Updates on Dulles Rail

According to the Leesburg Patch, the Rail To Loudoun Coalition, led by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, recently announced the launch of www.railtoloudoun.com a site created to provide accurate, up-to-date information on the numerous economic and quality of life benefits that the Dulles Corridor Rail Project will create.

The chamber has long been a staunch advocate for the Dulles Corridor Rail Project and is the organizing force behind The Rail To Loudoun Coalition, a partnership of Northern Virginia's leading business organizations and companies that are working to support the project's completion.

The Rail to Loudoun website will provide accurate, up to date information on the numerous economic and quality of life benefits that the Dulles Corridor Rail Project will create.

Read the complete Leesburg Patch article.

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Metrorail Project Update from Blue Ridge District Supervisor Janet Clarke

Here's an update on the Metrorail project from Blue Ridge District Supervisor Janet Clarke, from her March "Blue Ridge Community Connection" email newsletter.

Metrorail's Silver Line is scheduled to come to Loudoun County with stations planned at Dulles International Airport, Route 606 (Loudoun County Parkway), and Route 772 (Ryan Rd.).  The Board of Supervisors has yet to decide whether or not to contribute funding for this effort. The 90 day opt-out period for Metrorail started on March 6th via a letter from Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) just as we started working on the all-consuming budget deliberations.  During the opt-out period, Loudoun County can choose to opt out of the proposed Metrorail extension or choose to help fund the extension of the Silver Line into Loudoun County. Because of this unfortunate timing, we had much less time to spend to review this project than is needed to make a truly informed decision.  I made a motion to request a 30-day extension to the original, 90-day deadline, which the Board passed.  The request was made to MWAA and we just received word that the extension was approved.  Now we will have more time to really sink our teeth into this important issue and receive more public input! The decision date is now set for July 4, 2012.

The Dulles Rail Project is obviously a huge financial commitment for the taxpayers of Loudoun County. We are working with staff to determine whether or not this project will fit it in the county budget in the succeeding years and what the true tax and toll road implications will be. We are also waiting to receive all the facts and figures concerning the costs and benefits of the project from MWAA, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and county staff.  Additionally, there is a problem with the MWAA Project Labor Agreement (PLA) language that incentivizes the use of unionized labor and puts Virginia contractors at a disadvantage in a right-to-work state. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Loudoun's Delegates to the General Assembly, and Congressman Frank Wolf have all made it abundantly clear that we do not want a mandatory PLA in the construction of Metrorail. Unfortunately, although some of the language has been changed, there is still a 10% credit given to contractors on their technical evaluation scores if they use unionized labor.

Proponents of rail to Loudoun argue that this transportation project will spur economic development by attracting businesses to Loudoun County; thereby creating more jobs and broadening the tax base which will relieve the tax burden on homeowners and improve the overall quality of life.  Proponents of opting out of Metrorail argue that the project will be too expensive, raise taxes and tolls, and is just not needed.  Based on a recent MWAA study, it appears that the cost of using the toll roads will go up regardless of whether Loudoun County opts in or out of Metro. This disturbs me greatly as it will price many commuters out of using the toll road and will cause even more traffic congestion in Loudoun.

Thank you to those who have weighed in on this issue thus far.  I have been watching the responses to my online survey and have been listening to your feedback on this issue in the community. I will be issuing a separate Metrorail newsletter when I have obtained all the information. The Metrorail-focused newsletter will also provide links to documents and an additional opportunity for you to weigh in on Metrorail.

Please voice your opinion on this issue by filling out my Metrorail survey.

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Bail on Rail to Dulles? Weigh In

In a letter to the editor yesterday in the Ashburn Patch, an opponent of bringing the rail project raises concerns about the long-term economic impact to Loudoun County.

What do you think? Should the county's new Board of Supervisors continue with the commitment from the previous leadership or should the county bail on rail as the letter writer hopes?

Comment below with your thoughts... and let's be sure to keep the commentary appropriate and not offensive. Thanks!

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Dulles Rail "Back on Track"

Did you see the recent article in the Washington Examiner? It reports that "The first phase of the Dulles Rail project, which was six months behind schedule last August, is now just 11 days late and on target to be completed next year."

The Silver Line's massive concrete structures are rapidly advancing along Route 7 in Tysons Corner and beyond. The first phase of the line, which will extend from East Falls Church to Reston, is now expected to be completed by Aug. 15, 2013, and open for business in early 2014.

The Washington Examiner reported in October that contractors were 188 days behind schedule despite officials' public claims that the project was "on time and on budget."

Now, after months of negotiations, the contractors made up all but 11 of those days, and they are being counted as "weather days" -- days on which contractors couldn't help falling behind because of adverse weather conditions.

Read the complete article.

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Silver Line to Dulles - But What About Parking?

Patch.com has a story today about the planned Silver Line to Dulles, and what it means for parking. The story by Dusty Smith is interesting and detailed. An excerpt is below; read the full article at Patch.

As the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s contractor works to finalize the preliminary engineering of constructing Metro’s planned Silver Line to Dulles, and Ashburn, there are various aspects of the project worth considering, such as convenience and the maximization of economic development.

The Loudoun Board of Supervisors — which recently raised questions about the value of rail compared to the investment — will have 90 days after receiving the preliminary engineering information, which will include the latest estimated cost, to decide whether the county’s in or out. Up to now, successive county boards have consistently voted in favor of the project.

Among the more apparent concerns for supervisors to consider, particularly to anyone who has ever tried to drive in and park at an existing Metro station: available, convenient parking.

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Latest Proposal for Dulles Rail Project, Would Scrap Airport Station

According to WTOP Radio, a boardmember of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is proposing a radical change in the Dulles Rail project, saying the Dulles International Airport station should be scrapped altogether.

Boardmember Robert Clarke Brown made the suggestion during a MWAA meeting Wednesday, suggesting that the nearby Route 28 station should instead become the Airport station, and the Route 28 station should be outfitted with a "people mover" system that would ferry riders to and from the airport.

"In my view, this would actually be superior transportation service for our passengers [compared to what is currently planned], because the people mover would take them to the terminal," says Brown.

Under the current proposal for a Metro station at Dulles Airport, riders would get off the train on an elevated platform near the north airport garage, which is on the opposite side of the large parking bowl in front of the main terminal. Riders will then have to take an elevator down to an underground area beneath the parking bowl and take moving walkways to the terminal. 

According to the WTOP story, when asked how much could be saved, "the head of the Dulles Rail project, Pat Nowakowski, told the board this option could save around $70 million"

Read the complete story or you can listen to the WTOP story by Adam Tuss.

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Northern Virginia Regional Commission Supports Above-Ground Dulles Rail Station

The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) has voted unanimously to support Loudoun and Fairfax Counties and the Commonwealth of Virginia in opposition to the decision to build an underground Metrorail station at Dulles International Airport.

The NVRC is asking the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Board of Directors to reconsider its vote in favor of an underground rail station at Dulles. The resolution asks that MWAA “either choose the most cost-effective, aerial option or fund this improvement without funding from the Counties, Commonwealth, or Dulles Toll Road.”

“I am pleased that the members of the NVRC have added their voices to those of us who are calling on MWAA to reconsider its decision regarding the Dulles rail station and to choose the most cost-effective aerial alternative,” said Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York.

The NVRC resolution follows a joint letter signed by Chairman York, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, and Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton asking the MWAA Board to reconsider its decision. The letter urged the MWAA Board to continue to work with its funding partners and to continue to evaluate the more cost-effective aerial, or above-ground, station. The selection of the underground station will add approximately $300 million to the project cost and bring the total cost for Phase 2 to $3.5 billion. This will raise Loudoun County’s total contribution to the project to $300 million.

The NVRC is a regional council of fourteen member local governments in Northern Virginia, including Loudoun, Fairfax, Arlington and Prince William Counties; the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park; and the Towns of Dumfries, Herndon, Leesburg, Purcellville, and Vienna.

The resolution is available online at www.loudoun.gov/nvrc-resolution.

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Newspaper Reports Bleak Outlook for Second Phase of Silver Line

According to the Fairfax Times, projected toll rates for the Dulles Toll Road that were used to back bonds might not present the full picture, according to Fairfax County auditors.

In April 2010, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority commissioned a tolling study that projected toll rate increases that would be needed to support the $1.3 billion in bonds the airports authority issued in 2009 and 2010. The study also projected the amount of decreased traffic that would result from the tolling increases.

The toll-backed bonds are a primary funding source for the Dulles Metrorail extension, now under construction.

However, that study does not depict any decrease in the number of toll road users after the first segment of the new Silver Line opens at the end of 2013, according to a draft report from the county's Office of Financial and Program Audit. Fewer users could decrease the revenue projections.

Read the complete article.

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Patch Reports Gov. McDonnell Asks Secretary to Keep an Eye on Silver Line

According to the Ashburn Patch:

"The 23-mile extension of existing Metro system that is under way to connect Ashburn and Dulles Airport to the rest of the Washington Metropolitan region may be a bit over budget, but Gov. Bob McDonnell said Friday that he asked the transportation secretary to keep an eye on the project.

"We feel pretty good about the Phase I being completed on time in 2013 and reasonably consistent with original budget figures," McDonnell said. “I am always concerned in construction projects about overruns and delays.”

"In total the project will include 11 new stations for the Dulles Corridor, with the final two planned for Ashburn."

Read the complete article.

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Second Phase of Silver Line Project Sees Costs Soar

According to this past Thursday's Washington Post, the second part of Metrorail's extension from Falls Church to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County could cost as much as $1.3 billion more than original estimates, which may mean higher rates for people who use the Dulles Toll Road.

"The new estimate was provided Wednesday to members of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is overseeing construction. The first phase is costing $2.75 billion, the authority said. Early estimates had placed costs of the second phase in the same range. The new price range increases the cost by at least $690 million and potentially twice as much."

Read the complete Washington Post article.

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Dulles Metrorail Project Information Workshops to be Held Next Week

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will hold two public information workshops next week to update the public on the latest design plans for the 11.6 mile section of Phase 2 of the Dulles Metrorail project which will be built from Wiehle Avenue on the eastern edge of Reston in Fairfax County to Route 772 in Ashburn in eastern Loudoun County.

Information will be provided on the six future Metrorail stations in Phase 2, including an alternative option for the Washington Dulles International Airport station. The other five Phase 2 stations will be located near Reston Parkway; Herndon-Monroe; Route 28; Route 606 and Route 772.

The meetings are scheduled for:

Monday, September 13
6-8 p.m.
Sheraton Reston
11810 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20191

Tuesday, September 14
6-8 p.m.
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum
21668 Heritage Farm Lane
Sterling, VA 20164

The meetings will be held in an open house format and will provide an opportunity to learn about and comment on the updates.

Information on the latest plans for Phase 2 are available on the Dulles Metrorail Project website. Comments on these plans can be made online by visiting the website, www.dullesmetro.com, and clicking on the "Phase 2 Updates" section. Written comments may also be e-mailed to Phase2Comments@dullesmetro.com or mailed to: Dulles Corridor Metrorail - Phase 2, c/o Cordell and Crumley, PO Box 2562, Reston, VA 20195.

The comment period ends October 1, 2010.

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Millions Secured for Dulles Metrorail Extension Project

According to a recent press release from Congressman Jim Moran's office, the Congressman welcomed the House’s passage of funding bills to support national transportation infrastructure, military and veterans.

The press release reported that the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act for FY 2011, which was passed by a vote of 251 to 167 last week, includes $98 million in Moran-backed funding for transportation and infrastructure projects in Northern Virginia.

The House passed Transportation bill includes $96 million for the the extension of Metro to Dulles project.

“Over the next 20 years, employment in the Dulles Corridor is projected to increase by 63%, population will increase by 45% and travel demand will increase by 45%,” said Moran. “The Dulles rail project will save commuting time, reduce gas consumption, foster transit-oriented development and job growth, and generally improve the quality of life for Northern Virginians.”

"This funding will support Phase 1 of the project, which is the initial 11.7 miles diverging from the current Metrorail Orange Line near West Falls Church Station to Wiehle Avenue in Reston, providing direct service to Tysons Corner. Phase 1 will include five new stations, improvements to the existing West Falls Church Service and Inspection Yard and tail tracks outbound of the interim terminus station at Wiehle Avenue. The new service will operate as a separate Metrorail line between the Wiehle Avenue station and the Stadium-Armory Station in Washington, D.C.

"Pedestrian Access Bridge Over Dulles Airport Access and Toll Road– $1 million for the erection of a new pedestrian bridge adjacent to the existing Trap Road overpass on the Dulles Airport Access and Toll Road (DAATR). The pedestrian bridge will increase safety and access to existing non-motorized transportation facilities and is supported by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors."

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Still No Decision On Planned Rt. 606 Metro Station

Leesburg Today reports that despite holding a work session on the matter Tuesday, the "Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has not yet reached a decision about whether to move the location of the Rt. 606 rail station and it appears the decision about whether to even study the issue will not be made until later this month.

"After more than an hour of debate, the board voted to hold off on deciding whether to evaluate a new location for the planned Rt. 606 Metro station, farther west than the current location. The two options under consideration for a new siting are the western- most location, which would include a two fare-gate station design and three pedestrian pavilions, and a more central option, which would include one fare gate and one pedestrian pavilion.

"The current location would include one station entrance on the north side of the Dulles Greenway and one pedestrian bridge. The site is planned for parking of 2,750 cars, as it is meant to be the commuter station for Loudoun residents and those living farther west."

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Dulles Toll Increases the Subject of Two Upcoming Meetings

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will hold two more public meetings to solicit comments from the community regarding proposed toll rate increases to support the Dulles Metrorail Project and other Dulles Corridor transportation improvements. The proposal is to raise the rate at the main toll plaza from 75 cents to $1 in January 2010, to $1.25 in 2011 and to $1.50 in 2012.

According to an article in the Gainesville Times, "ramp rates will be increased from 50 cents to 75 cents in 2010. The 75-cent rate would remain in effect through 2012 but may increase in 2013, depending on circumstances. The current estimated cost of the Dulles Metrorail project is $5.25 billion cost for the first and second phases. Dulles Toll Road user fees are expected to generate 52.6 percent of the cost, or $2.76 billion. The federal government will kick in 17.1 percent – $900 million. Fairfax County's share is 16 percent or $845 million, and the Commonwealth of Virginia will pay 5.2 percent or $273 million. Loudoun County will pay 4.8 percent -- $252 million, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will be responsible for 4.1 percent or $215 million.

"The next meeting will be held Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. at McLean High School, 1633 Davidson Road in McLean. The final meeting is set for Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. at South Lakes High School, 11400 South Lakes Drive in Reston.

"Each session will include exhibits on the scope, cost and financing of the Dulles Rail extension; potential future Dulles Toll Road improvements; revenue anticipated to be raised from the toll increases and how it will be spent."

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