Health & Fitness
President of the Dulles Corridor Rail Association Updates Ashby Ponds Residents on Rail to Loudoun
Patricia Nicoson, President of the Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA), provided updates to residents of Ashby Ponds retirement community regarding plans to bring rail to Loudoun.
Patricia Nicoson, President of the Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA), provided updates to residents of Ashby Ponds retirement community on Wednesday, March 14 regarding plans to bring Metro to Loudoun County.
Nicoson, who has been president of the DCRA since 1998, focused her presentation on Phase 2 of the project, which would expand the rail system from Reston to Washington Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County. Phase 2 would add an 11.6 mile rail extension from Wiehle Avenue in Reston westward to the airport with an end near Route 772 in eastern Loudoun County. The plans include the addition of six above ground stations and five parking garages. According to Nicoson, if plans move forward as the DCRA hopes, it would be about five years before the stations in Loudoun County are operable.
However, Nicoson mentioned that some of the Loudoun County Supervisors are not yet prepared to take a stance on the proposed funding agreement; the Boad has requested an additional 30 days to review the agreement, but funding partners, Fairfax County and the the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), must agree to the extension. Additionally, while the Commonwealth has agreed to put forth $150 million toward the completion of Phase 2, the DCRA believes that contribution should be closer to $500 million.
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Nicoson encouraged Ashby Ponds residents who support bringing Metro to Loudoun County to visit LoudounRailNow.com where they can sign a petition as well as contact their Supervisor, Shawn Williams (R-Broad Run).
About Ashby Ponds: Ashby Ponds, one of 16 retirement communities managed by Erickson Living, is situated on a scenic 132-acre campus in Ashburn, Virginia (approximately 30 miles west of Washington, D.C.). The community is home to over 600 residents and is an exciting alternative to the typical retirement community. In April 2012, the community will open Red Robin View, a new four-level, 105,000 square-foot residential building with 80 apartment homes. More information about Ashby Ponds can be found at: www.ericksonliving.com.
