Local Officials Eye Fed Funds For Metro Extension

Once again, the cost of a massive transportation project in the region has escalated to nearly double initial projections. This time, it's the second phase of Metro's Silver Line project, which has ballooned from an initial projected cost of $2 billion to $3.83 billion.

In total the rail project cost has escalated from initial estimates touted at $3.5 billion to $6.6 billion. Of that cost, Phase 1 accounted for about $2.76 billion, meaning Phase 2 has nearly doubled in cost from $2 billion to about $3.83 billion. About $640 million could be saved, according project representatives, if the airport tunnel is replaced with an above-ground rail line.

The situation appears to have some of Loudoun's elected officials—who are about to dig into budget negotiations and a shortfall—far more concerned about landing the project than its cost escalation. Some supervisors seemed unconcerned or even dismissive of previous assertions from the U.S. Department of Transportation that the federal government would not participate in Phase 2 funding.

Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) said she had anticipated, even before the latest cost estimate, that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is leading the project, to request federal government funds for a portion of the Phase 2 cost.

"Maybe the politics have changed," Waters said. "I don't think it hurts to ask the question. Metro is a central part of moving the government workforce, including from Loudoun. I think they should participate."

The first phase of the rail project, which brings Metro from the West Falls Church station through Tysons Corner and out to Wiehle Avenue in Reston, was funded with a special tax district on commercial properties, tolls from the Dulles Toll Road and $900 million in federal funding. The second phase is planned to be funded by a special tax district, other taxes and tolls, but no federal dollars have been committed to Phase 2.

"In the political world, you never say never," said Supervisor Stevens Miller (D-Dulles). "That just means we need to keep asking them."

Toll increases along the Dulles Toll Road are another option for raising revenue currently under consideration. Several local representatives said they prefer the federal government pay instead.

"The concern obviously is that they're indicating toll rates have to go up to the match the new numbers," said Loudoun County Chairman Scott K. York. "People are already paying an arm and a leg, and now they're going to have to sell their home, too, to commute."

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation did not respond to an interview request. Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton responded via e-mail, but offered a tempered answer.

"DPRT will be meeting with MWAA to review the most recent cost estimates and discuss financing alternatives," Connaughton wrote. "The Commonwealth will work with MWAA to find a path forward."

Miller said the long-term payback from rail would far outweigh the short-term costs and risk. "I want that so bad," he said, referring to completion of Phase 2. "If it would outright bankrupt the county, I'd oppose it. But short of that, I'm all for it."

Next week, Loudoun supervisors plan to discuss the project and weigh in on whether they support a cost-cutting measure to remove an underground portion of the rail at Dulles International Airport. Even with that reduction, the county portion of the project would increase by $35.6 million, or about 14 percent, to $285.6 million. If planners were to choose a tunnel option at Dulles, the county's cost would jump to $316 million, a 26.5 percent increase.

York and Waters said they were prepared to nix the tunnel. "If we want the project, we've got to figure out a way to bring down these costs," Waters said.

York said it remains unclear where the full board stands on the issue, but supervisors will have an opportunity to weigh in next week.

MWAA's current schedule shows completion of Phase 1 from Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue in 2013 followed by Phase 2, from Wiehle to Ashburn's planned Moorefield Station along the Dulles Greenway near Ryan Road, in 2016.