A rendering of what one of the future Silver Line metro stations would appear like.
Despite meeting funding, ridership, and other requirements the Federal Transit Administration still might not fund the Silver Line extension to Wiehle Avenue. Here’s what the Washington Post says:
Officials with the Federal Transit Administration say they are concerned about the price tag and the specter of another Big Dig, the Boston project built by the same contractor in charge of the Dulles rail line, which took years longer and cost millions more than planned, according to the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the negotiations are sensitive. In addition, the agency has been reluctant to promote large-scale transit projects.
The feds would be responsible for funding $900 million of the project, which is less that one fifth of the $5 billion price tag. Without the federal funding the project would be impossible.
While Metrorail to Dulles Airport is still possible, plans would need to be redrawn for Tysons Corner. Instead of having four stations in the heart of Tysons, the rail line would remain in Dulles Toll Road right of way, with a bus or light rail system making Tysons more pedestrian/transit friendly.
The FTA’s chief James S. Simpson was scheduled to meet with the head of the Metropolitan Airports Authority, owners of Dulles and National airport and the agency behind Silver Line construction. The meeting was canceled, and Virginia congressman are seeking a new meeting with Simpson to discus what exactly they view as wrong with the project.
The uncertainty of the project surprises many, since the project has met all requirements the FTA set. Meeting the requirements was not easy, nearly $300 million in features was slashed from the project.
A final decision on the projects fate will probably be made in February.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
This article is misleading.
The total funding in question is $2.7 Billion, not $5 billion as stated here, of which the FTA is currently planned to pay 1/3 or $900 million.
When this proposal was first put to FTA, the total cost was expected to be $1.8 Billion. The cost increased by 50% because of last minute changes detouring the line through Tysons Corner.
The key reason the proposal is in question is the FTA’s own evaluation of the project as NOT cost-effective. The existing 50% increase and the prospect of many more “Big Dig”-like escalations are good reasons for being deeply concerned.
January 18th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
But the money the FTA was asked of stayed the same. Besides phases one and two of the Silver Line is $5 billion. The governent doesn’t mind wasting money in Iraq so what’s the deal on spending $900 million on internal improvements?
January 24th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
You really need to read this blistering letter from the FTA to Gov. Kaine to understand how badly mismanaged this project was by Virginia, regional, and county officials. Here is the key quote:
According to Simpson’s letter, “The sheer number and magnitude of the current project’s technical, financial and institutional risks and uncertainties are unprecedented for a candidate New Starts project.”
Here is the letter link: http://www.nbc4.com/download/2008/0124/15130528.pdf
It’s a pathetic commentary on the effectiveness of our leaders.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
This isn’t about risk. If President Eisenhower had been afraid of risk when he approved America’s great highway system we’d probably still be stuck with a slower road system. This is now the 21st Century and Americans have realized that highways are not the solution to every transit problem. Risks need to be taken for America to continue to be a leader in national infrastructure.
January 30th, 2008 at 7:07 am
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