Dulles Metrorail - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to many common questions asked about this project. If you do not find your question below, feel free to contact us.
- When will construction begin? When will the Metro open?
- Who is the Project Team?
- What are the current funding commitments to the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project?
- Will Dulles Metrorail solve the area's traffic problems?
- Will local businesses be forced to move or close?
- What specific residential or commercial properties will be needed to be taken along the entire project path?
- Where are the stations located?
Q: When will construction begin? When will the Metro open?
A: Construction on the first phase of the Metrorail begins in March 2009. Phase 1 will branch off the Orange Line between the EastFalls Church Station and West Falls Church Stations goes through Tysons Corner (4 stops) to Wiehle Avenue (1 stop) in Reston. It is scheduled to be completed by 2013. The project is currently in the middle of a major utility relocation program involving 21 different utilities along Route 7 between the Dulles Toll Road and Route 123.
Phase 2 will extend the Metrorail from Reston and Herndon to Dulles International Airport and into eastern Loudoun County. A construction start date has not been set.
Q. Who is the Project Team?
A. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) is managing construction of the rail project. The Airports Authority has a fixed-price contract for design and construction of the project with Dulles Transit Partners, LLC.
Q: What are the current funding commitments to the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project?
A: The original plan was that the federal government (through grants from the FTA) would pay 50% of the entire Metrorail Project cost (i.e., both Phases 1 and 2), the Commonwealth would pay 25% using DTR revenues, and local governments would pay 25%.
That plan was based on an early cost estimate made a number of years ago and prior to preliminary engineering and environmental studies that resulted in an improved estimate for the total project cost.
The Full Funding Agreement with the federal government caps the federal share for Phase 1 of the project (Interstate 66 to Wiehle Avenue) at $900M which necessarily changes the percentages for the partners’ share. At this time, no federal funds have been committed to Phase 2. The current absence of federal funds for Phase 2 has resulted in the DTR taking over the share of Phase 2 costs that the original plan had “assigned” to the federal government.
As a result of increases in the estimated project cost and the lack of a federal funding commitment for Phase 2, the original funding plan was revised. The current funding structure, based on a projected total project cost of $5.25 billion, is:
- Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Airports Authority contribution is 25%.
- Federal contribution is 17.1%, which is based upon a fixed FTA grant for Phase 1 of $900M.
- The Commonwealth contribution is 5.2%, which is based upon a fixed contribution of $275M consisting of non-toll road funding.
- The DTR contribution provides the remaining amount, and is 52.6%.
Q. Will Dulles Metrorail solve the area's traffic problems?
A. There is no single solution to the area's traffic problems. But Dulles Metrorail is a central part of an integrated solution that maximizes our investments in Metro, buses, carpools, HOT lanes, road improvements and teleworking.
Q. Will local businesses be forced to move or close?
A. Two business in Tysons Corner are relocating with substantial help from the Dulles Metrorail Project. They are Merchant's Tire and Business Bank. The project team is working closely with these businesses.
The Dulles Metrorail will have a positive impact for businesses and their customers in the corridor. The rail stations will encourage more focused development, attract top-rate employers and the jobs that come with them, and connect customers to area businesses.
Q. What specific residential or commercial properties will be needed to be taken along the entire project path?
A. No residential properties will be displaced. Merchants Tire on Route 7 and the Business Bank will relocate.
Q. Where are the stations located?
A. Dulles Metrorail will bring 11 new Metrorail stations, including stations in Tysons Corner, Reston, Herndon, Dulles International Airport and Eastern Loudoun County. Click here for details on the stations.
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