Wolf Continues to Push Dulles Rail Stakeholders to Keep Tolls as Low as Possible on Dulles Toll Road

Press Release

In a series of letters released today to all the stakeholders involved in the Dulles rail project, Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th) reiterated the need to do everything possible to keep the cost of the tolls on the Dulles Toll Road affordable.

Wolf also announced that he has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General (IG) to review the assumptions the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has made regarding revenue projections for tolls on the toll road.

The IG is expected to have a preliminary review completed by May 15, the same day it is expected to release an interim report of an audit of the governance, transparency and contracting practices of the MWAA board. Wolf requested the review in February 2011 after the board rejected his December 2010 request to hire outside auditors.

In a letter to MWAA Chairman Michael Curto, Wolf specifically asked that the board reverse its decision to give a preference to union contractors who bid on Phase 2 of the project, saying it could lead to hire costs. Wolf pointed out that he opposed the tunnel in Tysons Corner and the underground station at Dulles airport because of the additional costs.

In addition, Wolf asked MWAA to explore other possible sources of revenue, including higher parking fees at the airport or charging a toll on the Dulles Access Road for airport users.

In addition to writing Curto, Wolf wrote Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' Chairwoman Sharon Bulova and Loudoun County Board of Supervisors' Chairman Scott York. The letters coincide with the release this week of the cost estimates for Phase 2 of the project. The two counties and the state have 90 days to review the estimates and decide whether or not they want to participate.

"Everything possible must be done to control costs on this project to keep tolls on the toll road as low as possible," Wolf wrote Connaughton, Bulova and York. " MWAA's most recent toll projections show that by 2020 -- just eight short years from now -- commuters will pay $6.75 for a one-way trip on the toll road, with costs escalating in subsequent years. Mothers, fathers, students and other commuters are not going to be able to afford to use the road if the tolls get too high and the subsequent impact on side roads in the corridor would be dramatic. High tolls also will impact whether businesses locate or even continue to stay here. The real estate market also would suffer from high tolls. No one wants this project to have an adverse effect on either the region's job market or real estate market."

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