Update: Lower cost Dulles Airport Rail Station is “mostly for staff”.
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The main reason for the debate was - you’ve guessed it - cost. Loudoun and Fairfax counties have long lobbied against the underground station, stating it will increase the financial burden to its citizens. The project is financed by Dulles Toll Road, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (WMAA). “If the underground alignment endorsed by MWAA results in an increase in the cost of Phase II, then MWAA should be responsible for funding the difference in a way that does not increase the burden on Fairfax County residents or on Dulles Toll Road users. The difference for rail users travelling to the airport would be a 250-foot walk without a moving sidewalk. Additionally, a large portion of the riders expected to use the Metro station are employees of businesses adjacent to the North Garage, meaning an underground alignment is less convenient for the majority of rail users.” |
The new vote came after Federal Transit Administration Chief Peter M. Rogoff made suggestions to the stakeholders in the Dulles project of how to cut costs for the second phase of the project, which is now estimated to cost $3.5 billion. The Whitepaper, presented by Rogoff on 3rd July, suggests:
- ordering fewer of the new 7000 series rail cars for the Dulles line (estimated saving up to $24 million);
- building a smaller rail yard and shop facilities (estimated saving $81 million);
- reducing the size of canopies (estimated saving $15 million);
- using steel structures instead of concrete (estimated saving $35 million);
- construct an aerial Dulles Airport station near North Garage (estimated saving $562 million).
Rogoff appeared before the Metro board Thursday and answered questions about the proposed cuts. When asked about the best location for an airport station, Rogoff said:
“A lot of that comes down to who you envision as the principal passengers of the airport station. The Dulles line will serve the entire region of Fairfax and out to Loudoun, not just the airport. Most of those using the Dulles station will be airport workers, not travellers,” he said.
“Certainly for airport passengers, the closer you are to the terminal the more convenient it is, but our experience nationally is that the majority of users of rail transit stations at airports are not airport passengers carrying luggage.”
Mame Reiley , Chair of Dulles Corridor Committee asked to address the partners in this historical meeting, saying:
“Several months ago, this MWAA board made the decision to retain the underground station at Dulles, which was included in the original Record of Decision previously agreed upon by our funding partners, Loudoun and Fairfax County. Today, I reiterate that I think we made the right decision for MWAA, our region, and our travelling public for two key reasons:
- One, the Underground Station would simply provide easier, quicker, and more pleasant access for Metro riders going to and from Dulles Airport. It's just better planning for those actually using the system.
- Two, the Underground Station is a more strategic use of public funds, invested in a station that will last longer, with less maintenance.
But today, we're apparently reversing course. And although the difference in cost between the two choices has no direct impact on the cost of the tolls, our decision has become a political football. Elected Officials running for re-election want the public to believe that the Underground Station = higher tolls. That is simply not the case. As our Financial Advisors have shown us, it is the Federal TIFIA Loan that has the greatest impact on reducing the cost of the Tolls and not what station location we choose,” said the Chair of Dulles Corridor Committee Mame Reiley in his official statement.
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