A Fairfax state senator questioned the Kaine administration this week on a plan to continue work on the imperiled Dulles Rail project in the face of serious doubts over its ability to secure needed funding.
“I continue to be concerned about the taxpayers spending more money on this project – or incurring future liabilities – when the outcome is so obviously in doubt,” Chap Petersen wrote in a letter Wednesday to Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer that cited a Saturday report in The Examiner.
Peterson, D-Fairfax, pried into the source of funds for the $140 million worth of work already invested in the proposed rail line. He also questioned whether the spending would serve any purpose should the project fall through.
The Federal Transit Administration said it is likely to deny a key $900 million to Dulles Rail because of its ballooning cost, inadequate operating funds and its manager’s inexperience with large transit projects.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is managing the 23-mile project’s first phase, last week allowed contractors Bechtel Infrastructure and Washington Group International to proceed with work for another month while the FTA mulls the funding decision.
The airports authority has reached similar agreements since August to avoid a contractually mandated cost escalation of as much as $6 million a month. A Fairfax County supervisor once called the move “arrogant” in light of the uncertainty.
Homer, reached Friday, said the continuing work is paid for through a mix of the Virginia Department of Transportation‘s six-year funds and revenue from the Dulles Toll Road, the largest funding source for Dulles Rail.
The utility work begun this year along Route 7 in Tysons Corner is considered part of improvements to the road, Homer said. The project will do away with service roads and widen the median, but does not add “a whole lot of additional capacity.” The changes are necessary to make way for the new track through Tysons.
Peterson, who had not heard an answer after his letter, said Friday he remained worried about the move.
“To think we’d be spending money as if nothing’s wrong seems troubling to me,” he said.
Show me the money
In a letter Wednesday to Virginia Transportation Secretary Pierce Homer, Sen. Chap Petersen questioned:
» Where the $140 million used for Dulles Rail came from
» How that money has been spent
» Whether the work will provide any benefit should the project fail
