Some Fairfax County supervisors want a greater say in negotiations on a contract to design and build the extension of Metrorail to Dulles, arguing their input hasn’t matched their financial contribution.
“Right now, we’re going to be a major check-writer and we’re not at the negotiating table as a full partner,” said Lee District Supervisor Dana Kauffman. “It’s akin to watching a Redskins football game and then having the owner ask for a check for the team.”
The concern, shared by at least two other supervisors, underscores the disconnect between local and state officials about the course of the multibillion-dollar rail project. As it now stands, officials from the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority are in talks with two firms over a contract to design and build the first phase of the extension, which would take the track from past the East Falls Church Metro station to Wiehle Avenue.
The two firms, known together as Dulles Transit Partners, are Bechtel and Washington Group International. For the first phase of the project, about half will be funded from the federal government, and the rest of the money will come from the state and local governments. An official price tag for either phase of the 23-mile extension has not been established.
Eventually, the project will be turned over to MWAA.
“I don’t think that we’ve had the seat at the table we should have. … On the other hand, I’m sure that the Airports Authority is going to take a long, hard look at it and discuss everything that’s going to be important to us,” said Sully District Supervisor Michael Frey.
Said MWAA spokeswoman Tara Hamilton: “We think it’s very important to keep Fairfax County and our other partners informed on the progress of the negotiations and the outcome.”
“This is ultimately a contract that will be signed with the Airports Authority and the Dulles Transit Partners, which will make the Airports Authority responsible for the rail project,” she said. “And therefore it’s appropriate that we and the state are also responsible for the negotiations.”
