Fairfax County supervisors said Monday they would closely monitor changes to the Dulles Rail Project, reacting to rumblings that costly alterations could be on the way for the multibillion-dollar Metro line.
The Board of Supervisors, despite being in the dark about specifics, told its auditor to track change orders to the contract that could put county taxpayers on the hook for additional costs.
The motion reflects an undercurrent of unease with financing of the 23-mile extension of rail line, the first half of which is under construction. Change orders are expected in any major infrastructure contract, but county officials remain wary of additional cost escalation for a project that has a long history of shattering estimates.
The initial leg of the project is paid for through federal funds, a local tax district and Dulles Toll Road revenue. In 2005, it was projected to cost $1.8 billion. Most recent estimates put the 11.6 miles of track at $2.6 billion, excluding financing costs.
Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust, who requested the review, said county staff had alerted supervisors to upcoming change orders.
“I want to look into it,” Foust said. “I can’t confirm it, I can’t deny it, but if it’s happening, I want to know about it.”
Tara Hamilton, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is managing the project, said change orders are built into $297 million budgeted for contingency costs.
“Change orders are part of a major project like this, and they’re accounted for in the budget,” Hamilton said.
Cost overruns for the project would likely be paid for by Dulles Toll Road users, who provide the only uncapped source of revenue for the first phase. Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, however, worries that the county may be forced to pitch in.
His concern stems from a controversial November 2005 letter from Fairfax County Executive Anthony Griffin to Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer, in which Griffin proposed to use money from the county general fund or bonds to pay for the county’s share of cost increases.
“The vast majority of the overruns are going to be coming out of the pockets of Fairfax County citizens,” Herrity said.
