Congressmen Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Frank Wolf (R-VA) today wrote to Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood supporting cost-cutting measures proposed by the Federal Transit Administration for Phase 2 of the Rail to Dulles project.  The congressmen also urged all project partners to embrace those proposals.

“The FTA proposal would require Fairfax County, Loudon County, WMATA, and MWAA to share in the sacrifices to make this project more cost-effective,” Wolf and Connolly said in their letter.  “In a perfect world, these measures would not be necessary.  But in today’s fiscal environment, they are.”

Connolly and Wolf, both long-time proponents of a rail link from the Nation’s Capital to Washington Dulles International Airport, also noted that Rail to Dulles is a strong candidate to receive federal TIFIA financing and “we must do everything possible to reduce unnecessary costs.”

July 7, 2011

The Honorable Ray LaHood
Secretary
US Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary LaHood,

We commend you for your strong leadership with respect to Phase 2 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project and for recognizing the project as a strong candidate for federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) financing. 

You have been a tireless advocate over the past several months, meeting with stakeholders, working through complex project details, and attempting to forge a consensus that will allow this critical project to move forward.  As a result of ideas raised in these meetings, the Federal Transit Administration has put forth a series of cost-cutting proposals that could bring the total project cost to less than $3 billion.  Today we urge all the project partners – federal, state, and local – to embrace those proposals.

The FTA proposal would require Fairfax, Loudoun, WMATA, and MWAA to share in the sacrifices required to make this project more cost-effective.  Fairfax and Loudoun would take on the burden of constructing parking garages at each new station, WMATA would accept a smaller rail yard and various cost-saving design changes, and MWAA would opt for an aerial station at Dulles Airport.  In a perfect world these measures would not be necessary.  But in today’s fiscal environment, they are.  Now that Rail to Dulles is a strong candidate to receive TIFIA financing, we must do everything possible to reduce unnecessary costs.

Completion of Rail to Dulles is critical to the future of Dulles Airport, Northern Virginia, and the entire National Capital Region.  Our interest is for the project to be completed on time and under budget.  The FTA proposal is a responsible one that would help us reach that important goal.  Thank you for your leadership in achieving this consensus and advancing this critical project.

Sincerely,

Gerald E. Connolly
Member of Congress
11th District, Virginia

Frank R. Wolf
Member of Congress
10th District, Virginia