First Public Meeting on Proposed Dulles Toll Road Hike Held in Ashburn

Friday, August 28, 2009

First Public Meeting on Proposed Dulles Toll Road Hike Held in Ashburn

The Loudoun Independent covered this past Monday night's meeting at Ashburn Elementary School by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), which is holding a series of public meetings over the MWAA's proposed rate increases for the Dulles Toll Road.

"The estimated total cost for the 23-mile rail line from the East Falls Church Metro station to the end of the line at Route 772 in Loudoun County is $5.25 billion. Phase I of the Silver Line is scheduled to be completed in December 2013, and Phase II in December 2016.

"Of that amount, it is expected that Dulles Toll Road users would provide $2,761,500,000, or 52.6 percent, followed by federal money amounting to $900 million (17.1 percent); Fairfax County, $845,250,000 (16.1 percent); Commonwealth of Virginia $273,000,000 (5.2 percent); Loudoun County $252,000,000 (4.8 percent); and MWAA $215,250,000 (4.1 percent)."

According to a WMAA press release, the Airports Authority is proposing a toll rate increase of 25 cents at the Main Toll Plaza and 25 cents at the ramps of the Dulles Toll Road to take effect in 2010 if approved by the Airports Authority Board of Directors later this year. This proposal also includes an additional increase of 25 cents at the Main Toll Plaza in 2011 and another 25 cent
increase at the Main Toll Plaza in 2012.