A bill requiring the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to perform an up-to-date economic feasibility study as a precondition for transit projects receiving state funding has been withdrawn by its sponsor, state Sen. Dick Black, R-Leesburg. The reason is that such a rule would cause problems for the $6 billion Silver Line. That’s unfortunate, because a current economic feasibility study is exactly what this misbegotten project needs.

Before risking millions of dollars on construction projects, investors typically analyze current market conditions so they can make an educated guess about the future. Only after performing such due diligence do they consider committing the resources needed to move a project from the idea stage to reality. Even then, unexpected events can skew even the most carefully laid plans.