Still no resolution for Dulles rail
By Monty Tayloe
Currently, the Dulles rail project sits in stasis, only sort of alive, while the region waits to see the effects of Gov. Tim Kaine's (D) letter to the federal Department of Transportation.
The letter is the state's response to Federal Transit Administration concerns about the funding and structure of the current project. According to state officials and rail's congressional advocates, the letter is a starting point for the two sides to work together on approving the project.
"We're continuing to work with the FTA and hopefully the dialog will continue to make this transportation project work," said Dan Scandling, chief legislative aide to U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th).
In recent days, the state has hired new transportation experts to help tailor their application to the FTA's requirements. Kaine's letter, sent late last week, also promised compromise.
"No party should be wedded to any particular approach," the governor's letter concludes.
However, no party involved will go on the record about the details of the talks between the state and the FTA, neither side has given a timeline for a final decision and the few clues available to the public only show both sides seemingly sticking to their guns.
Kaine's letter to the DOT was accompanied by an inches-thick sheaf of documentation, backing up a point-by-point response to the FTA's criticism of the project, but involved few changes from the original plan derided by FTA Administrator James Simpson two weeks ago.
According to Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer, the only change to the project was some slightly restructured financing, replacing federal TIFIA loans with bonds issued by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to "increase the level of committed local funding." Otherwise, Kaine's letter is focused on showing the FTA that the Dulles rail project already meets the agency's criteria. The letter also leads with a timeline of FTA's previous decisions on the project, as evidence for the state's assertion that the current complaints came as a surprise.
"One year ago we were told that the cost was the sole remaining issue to resolve. With the FTA's guidance, we took steps to reduce cost and were given clear communication that we had hit the target," the letter states.
On the federal side, President George W. Bush recently released his proposed 2009 DOT budget, which cuts millions of dollars from public transportation projects in favor of highway projects.
While the rail project is not specifically affected, it's not a good sign about the administration's attitude toward transit. The budget coincided with an FTA report on current projects, which also paints an unflattering picture of the rail project.
The report's listing for the Dulles rail project is based on all the information the FTA had in November 2007, and lists the project as "Not Rated," which congressional sources say indicates that the project is still under consideration. According to FTA spokesman Paul Griffo, the project's rating can be upgraded or downgraded at any time during the year.
"It's not set in stone," Griffo said. The report also questions the justification for the project.
"The 'case' for the Metrorail extension to Wiehle Avenue does not address why a nearly $3 billion rail project is a better investment than enhancements to bus service on [the Dulles Toll Road]," the report states.
However, officials say that this section of the report will not be considered when deciding whether to fund the project.
While the FTA's report may not be based on the most recent information, it's another example of an apparent hostility to the project.
According to Homer, it's the discussion between the two sides that is important, rather than the rhetoric.
"The important thing is that we talk," Homer said.