Developer WestGroup, a key financial supporter of the campaign to run a planned Metro extension in a tunnel under Tysons Corner, unexpectedly distanced itself this week from a group it helped get off the ground.
In a Tuesday letter to Fairfax supervisors obtained by The Examiner, WestGroup Chief Executive Gerald Halpin said the firm was “very surprised” to see Tysonstunnel.org sue the federal government to force consideration of a tunnel as part of the 23-mile extension of rail to Washington Dulles International Airport.
He then took a swipe at the lawsuit.
“As you know, for the last 50 years, WestGroup has not resolved differences of opinion regarding public policy in court,” Halpin wrote.
The document signals that the largest landowner in Tysons Corner has, at least publicly, abandoned the movement to resurrect the tunnel. The tunnel push emerged after Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, fearing the higher cost of the underground track would jeopardize $900 million in federal funds, decided in September 2006 to instead build an aerial track.
Halpin once wanted the tunnel so much that he offered to “join other community leaders” in footing the extra cost, which was estimated at $250 million more thanthe aboveground route.
In his letter, he also called to “move the project forward in a timely fashion,” echoing statements by Fairfax County and Virginia officials who have refused to reconsider the tunnel.
“First and foremost, we’re in favor of rail to Dulles,” said WestGroup spokesman Mark Lowham.
Supporters said the subterranean alternative would have helped remake Tysons into a walkable, urban environment. The tunnel also would have made WestGroup’s land significantly more valuable than an aerial route would, according to commercial real estate analysts.
Tysonstunnel.org this week filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration that would stop the Metrorail extension until new consideration is given to its proposal and the project is put out to bid.
Scott Monett, the group’s president, said WestGroup gave its last check in August. He declined to say how much the firm has given Tysonstunnel.org.
“WestGroup has been a very substantial supporter of our efforts, and we very much appreciate their past support,” he said.
