Reston Citizen

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.

We reported a month ago that utility relocation - an essential step in rail construction - would begin in December. The outcry over even worst congestion during the holiday season delayed the start again. But now VDOT has announced relocation will begin in early January. We’ll see.

Washington Gas will move it’s gas lines that lay under Route 7’s service roads, and the project will take about four months. Other ulities will move overhead and buried gas lines. Route 7 will stay open during the process, but when unities cut across the road, nigh construction will be used.

The so called Silver Line project will be brought to Wiehle Avenue in 2013, and construction to Dulles Airport will be finished in 2016.

Anyone who’s ever tried to cross Village Road and Baron Cameron Avenue knows the “look both ways” rule doesn’t apply here. Pedestrian vision is limited by a bend in the road on both sides of the intersection, and on top of that cars routinely speed through.

To correct this VDOT has installed some new safety features. A one way stop sign for Village Road will be joined by two new stop signs for North Shore Drive. Crosswalks will be added when the weather is better, and there is a possibility of rumble strips. Other additions include signage to alert drivers of the crossing.

An accident last July involving an 87 year old pedestrian who was injured crossing that same street prompted the additions. Rumors initially identified the man as Robert Simon, Reston’s founder. These where false and the injured man was released from the hospital.

TysonsTunnel.org has sued several federal government agencies claiming many businesses will be adversely affected by the currently proposed aerial rail option. They’re seeking to prevent the rail from being constructed. Gairy Baise is their attorney, he also lost the race for Fairfax County chairman by a wide margin.

TysonsTunnel.org will be joined by Ratner Cos., the company actually claiming to be affected by the traffic congestion, and “unsightliness” of overhead rail.

The suit seeks to prevent the FTA from approving a full funding agreement, which would grant a necessary $900 million for the Silver Line’s extension. The group says they’re “Suing as a last option because political leaders have ignored them.” The FTA has not responded yet because they have no information regarding the suit.

Interestingly these companies will be even more adversely affected if rail is not built, and some companies might loose money in speculative land investments. Traffic congestion would be associated with an aerial or underground option, as both would require extensive infrastructure realignments. If their suit is successful it could possibly end the currently proposed rail plans.

Update 11/29/2007:

Ratner Cos has pulled out of the suit, after receiving word from their legal department. They also say “We don’t want to be viewed as blocking the rail extension.” It is probable that TysonsTunnel.org will be approached by other plaintiffs. If they can’t find anyone else the suit will be discarded. Thanks to John for updating us.

In the continuing saga of the metro rail extension to Wiehle Avenue, the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project has announced they will begin initial construction in a few weeks, despite the fact that $900 million in crucial federal funding still hasn’t come through.

One of the important steps is utility relocation in Tysons Corner. Gas lines, electricity, water and more must be removed from underneath Route 7. Most of the work will occur in the service roads, which will eventually be shut down and have a sidewalk put in their place. The work starts at the intersection of 7 and 123, and will head west, and then turn around. Work will not be done during peak holiday traffic hours.

This measure is seen by many as Fairfax County and Virginia strong arming their way to federal funding for the rail project.

A survey from the Dulles Corridor Rail Association has found that ninety three percent of Northern Virginians favor the silver line extension. Overall eighty six percent of the Washington region supports the extension, with even nineteen percent strongly favoring the rail extension.

The poll was funded by the Dulles Corridor Rail Association. Other findings suggest most people are most excited about being able to travel from DC to Dulles Airport. Surprisingly, the ability of the rail project to reduce traffic congestion is lowest on the list of perceived benefits. The poll was a random telephone survey of 500 people.

Phase one of the Silver Line project should be completed by 2013, with the last station being Wiehle Avenue. Phase two should be completed by 2015, and will extend past Dulles Airport to Ashburn.

The long delayed Silver Line metro extension to Wiehle avenue is on track, according to remarks made my Kaine. The Virginia governor gave no indications of what made him think so, but he did say “We have a standing conference call once a week to kind of monitor progress.”

The main delay in the orange line extension has been meeting the Federal Transit Administration’s cost effectiveness standards. Several hundred million dollars of the project will be funded a grant - and the agency has strict standards on total cost compared to estimated riders. Already $300 million have been shaved off, and the FTA will be announcing weather the revised project meets their cost standards.

“We have reason to think we will hear some sign, either, ‘Hey, you met [the cost-effective standard]’ or, ‘You still have some more work to do,’ sometime soon. But we feel very good about our submission right now,” Kaine says. WTOP reported on the original story.

Also on the Ballot in the November 6th elections is a $110 million plan for transportation upgrades. Jay Guy, a planner for the the transportation department says “$700 million are needed annually for transport improvements, but at least we’re $100 million closer.” Included are capacity improvements for Fairfax County Parkway, and Route 7. The Vienna Metro Station, a popular commuter station, will also receive upgraded capacity by way of new stairs.

The bond also includes sidewalks and added bus stops. Sidewalks would be constructed along portions of Beulah Road , Colts Neck Road, Fox Mill Road , Glade Drive , McLearen Road , North Shore Drive , Reston Avenue , Soapstone Drive, and Sunset Hills Road. About twenty new bus stops are also planned.

I live near the Hunters Woods Plaza and walk their sometimes, and don’t like using the trails. Along Colts Neck I’m forced to use one of those trails beaten in the grass, but at one point the trees grow into the road, making it necessary to walk in it. Needless to say on a road where many people drive at 45 MPH this is a dangerous option, and one that really pisses off the drivers. So in a world dominated by the automobile, it’s nice to know Fairfax County cares about the other people too.

Governor Kaine and a host of Virginia politicians from all parties where at Congress to announce $300 million dollars in cuts to bring the troubled Silver Line project in line with federal cost requirements.

Kaine said “The good-faith challenge was: ‘You’re close, but you’ve got to take some costs out of this project,’ ” and added “And we took them up on that challenge. Protesters at the event wanted a tunnel option to be added for the Tysons Corner segment.

Features removed from the budget include a parking garage a Wiehle Avenue, tiles on station floors, and expansions of Route 7. The parking garage at Wiehle station would be built by a public/private partnership, which probably means a private company would run it. The Route 7 widening and utility relocation would be moved out of the rail budget, and paid for by the standard road budget.

These changes bring the project well within federal cost requirements. The Federal Transit Administration will be footing $900 million of the bill, and the administration has stringent requirements for cost efficiency.

The post has had a few articles in the last couple of days of frustrated rail proponents writing commentary.

Hunter Mill supervisor Cathy Hudgins, wrote “Should the Federal Transit Administration cancel the project, the future would indeed be as bleak as Toles’s cartoon envisions.” Of course in her article, she wants to persuade anyone over at the FTA to approve the project.

Audrey Moore, a former supervisor from the Springfield district wrote, “[The train] can get federal funding. Put it back on track to International Drive in Tysons Corner, where public land is available for a station.” The FTA does cite the acquisition of private land as reason for rejecting the project. She also believes it might provide enough savings that phase one could reach Dulles Airport, as opposed to it’s first terminus being Wiehle Avenue.

And finally the president of Tysons Tunnel has said, “The project teeters on the brink off failure.” But he also deflected blame to the Virginia Department of Transportation, saying their delays resulted in cost escalation. If only he had mentioned that VDOT took time to evaluate a tunnel option.

The Silver Line will start in Reston at Wiehle Avenue, and then merge with the Orange Line in East Falls Church. The FTA has said the project fails it’s cost efficiency standards, which determine weather it will get critical federal funding.