Transportation News
Dulles Toll Road Fees Increase
Come January 1st, drivers will be paying a quarter more at the main toll plaza of the Dulles Toll Road for a total of $1, then a quarter more each year in 2011 ($1.25) and 2012 ($1.50).
The doubling of the tolls became effective after The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority accepted staff recommendations and voted to increase fees at an MWAA board meeting on Nov. 4th. The money raised from the toll hikes will help pay for the $5.2 billion Dulles Metrorail project that will extend the Orange Line after East Falls Church into Loudoun.
In addition to increases at the main toll plaza, ramp rates will rise from 50 cents to 75 cents in 2010.
Fairfax Landowners Approve Metrorail Tax District
A majority of Fairfax County landowners affected by a proposal to create a special tax district to help fund the 23-mile Metro extension project into Loudoun have approved the plan, local media reported recently.
The nonprofit group Western Alliance for Rail to Dulles, announced in early October that 35 major landowners — who constitute 57 percent of those affected — signed a petition approving the tax.
The new tax district would pay for $330 million in capital funding for the project, according to the Washington Post. If approved by the Herndon Town Council and Fairfax Board of Supervisors, landowners will pay 5 cents per $100 of assessed value next year and then 20 cents in 2013.
HOT Lanes Project Faces More Opposition
Even as Virginia’s plan to create high-occupancy toll lanes along 56 miles of the I-95/I-395 languishes for lack of money, more area governments are signing on to challenge the project.
The Alexandria City Council recently approved a resolution to “strongly oppose” the HOT lanes from the Petnagon to Massaponax in Spotsylvania County, citing potential noise, traffic and pollution concerns, the Washington Business Journal has reported. WBJ also has reported that although Prince William County has declined to join Arlington County’s lawsuit against the project, the county may file its own suit.
Transportation Links
Final Public Meeting on Toll Road Rate Increase
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will hold its final public meeting on proposed toll rate increases on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at South Lakes High School in Reston.
The meeting takes place 5-8 p.m. and will include exhibits on the scope, cost and financing of the Dulles Rail extension; potential future Toll Road improvements; revenue anticipated to be raised from the toll increases and how it will be spent.
While there will be no opportunity to speak publicly (there will be no microphone), attendees can fill out a comment sheet or talk to a court reporter. You also can file your comments online through Sept. 14 at http://www.mwaa.com/tollroad/tolls_fees/toll_process/tollcomments.
The proposal calls for raising the the rate at the Main Toll Plaza from $.75 to $1.00 in January 2010, to $1.25 in 2011 and to $1.50 in 2012. Ramp rates will be increased from $.50 to $.75 in 2010, and remain at $.75 through 2012.
I-95/I-395 HOT Lanes On Hold
Rendering of proposed HOT lanes
Faced with an Arlington County lawsuit and the economic downturn, Virginia officials havea postponed a project to create high occupancy toll lanes on Interstates 95 and 395.
The project would expand existing HOV lanes from two to three lanes on the interstates, and extend two new lanes south to Massaponax. All the lanes would become HOT lanes, which would allow buses and carpools with three or more people free access but require other drivers to pay a toll that would vary according to traffic conditions.
Though the project’s total cost has not yet been determined, Virginia officials have determined that the state wouldn’t be able to borrow enough money to fund the project, according to a Washington Business Journal report.
The project also has faced opposition from affected jurisdictions, including Arlington County, which is suing over concerns about air pollution from the increased traffic, according to the Washington Post.
Dulles Rail Project Receives Stimulus Funds
Tysons West Metro Station rendering
The Dulles corridor Metrorail project is receiving $77.2 million in stimulus funds, which will be used to speed up the construction timeline and decrease finance costs, according to media reports.
The funds are part of $6.7 billion that will be used to improve transportation throughout the country under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The $5.25 billion Dulles Metrorail project is extending the Orange Line after East Falls Church into Loudoun. Currently, construction has begun to prepare for the Tysons East Metrorail Station at the southwest corner of Route 23, and several major traffic routes on Route 7 are being altered.
For the latest updates on project construction, visit www.dullesmetro.com.
