Friday, January 25, 2013
The primary obstacle for the transportation system appears to be funding.
Less than a year after the Loudoun Board of Supervisors signed on to a Metrorail project that would bring the new Silver Line to two stations in Ashburn, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has a proposed a series of list if improvements to help the system keep up with demand estimated to cost $26 billion. The Washington Post has a story here. The main snag in the way of the plan, which WMATA board members praised, appears to be where to obtain funding for the project. In Loudoun, opponents of the county’s participation in the Silver Line project often pointed to the unknown cost of capital needs for Metro, and Loudoun’s responsibility for those costs. During the county’s debate about whether to participate, WMATA …
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Though Phase 2 construction has yet to begin, process is underway for art in the six future stations.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is seeking artists to contribute public art works at Phase 2 Silver Line Metro stations, including two in Ashburn. Metro's Art in Transit Program, funded by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), will place works at six future Silver Line stations. The art will promote transit use, enhance travel by Metro, and highlight the cultural vitality of the National Capital region, according to materials from Metro. MWAA is managing the design and construction of the Silver Line Project, the Metro extension that is set to begin operating at the end of 2013. Phase 1 of Silver Line will run from Tysons Corner to Reston's Wiehle Avenue. Phase 2, which does not yet have a …
Friday, December 28, 2012
As scheduled, tolls on the on/off ramps and at main plaza to rise by 25 cents.
The cost of driving on the Dulles Toll Road is about to rise again on Tuesday. Beginning Jan. 1, the toll rate on the Dulles Toll Road will increase by 25 cents at the Main Toll Plaza to $1.75. Toll rates on the on/off ramps will increase by 25 cents to $1. These amounts were previously set in a November hearing, but the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has deferred making a decision on tolls for 2015. There will be an additional increase in January 2014 to $2.50 at the main plaza. The toll increases are necessary, in part, for the Airports Authority to operate and maintain the Dulles Toll Road and to construct the Metrorail Silver Line, which will begin operating in Dec. 2013. While Phase 1 of the Silver Line is being built …
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Patch takes a look behind-the-scenes look at iconic hub.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- James Cullum
-
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
So much has happened to Washington Dulles International Airport since President John F. Kennedy dedicated it in 1962. The airport, located on 12,000 acres in Loudoun and Fairfax counties, recently underwent a multi-million dollar expansion, adding a fourth runway, expanded gates and buildings, and a new airport traffic control tower. In addition, local government bodies recently signed on to build Metro's Silver Line, which includes a stop at the airport. About 23 million travelers visit Dulles Airport annually, and that number is expected to continue growing. The main terminal is unmistakable – architect Eero Saarinen called it the best building he'd ever designed – and as such has appeared in movies like Airport, Die Hard II and Body of …
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Retired Fairfax County Executive appointed by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Anthony H. Griffin, who retired in April after 13 years as the Fairfax County Executive, has been appointed to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors. Griffin, who was appointed to the 17-member board by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, is currently a faculty member at George Mason University’s Department of Public and International Affairs and is the at-large Board Member of the Fairfax County Water Authority. He replaces board member Michael O'Reilly, whose term ended in November. MWAA, which manages and operates Ronald Reagan National and Dulles International airports, also oversees the Dulles Airport Access Road, the Dulles Toll Road and construction of the Silver Line project, a 23-mile extension of Metro into …
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The Loudoun board signs off so assessments can begin by Jan. 1 to pay for Silver Line.
The Loudoun Board of Supervisors Wednesday voted to authorize a series of new tax districts to pay for Loudoun's share of Metro's Silver Line project. The vote included most of the properties in those district, but does not include several additions in the Redrum Road area east of Ashburn Village Boulevard. A public hearing on those additions will take place Dec. 11. Also, most of the properites south of S. Sterling Boulevard initially identified in the district were omitted. The board voted 7-1-1 to establish the district. Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) voted against the motion and Chairman Scott K. York (R-At Large) was not at the meeting. A more detailed story will be published later.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Turnaround on Maryland end could cost Metro an additional $4.5 million year.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
The owner of Minton’s Music sent a letter to supervisors explaining the burden to local entrepreneurs.
Minton’s Academy of Music owner Larry Minton shared the following letter he sent to the Loudoun Board of Supervisors with Ashburn Patch: November 27, 2012 Dear Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, First, let me tell you who we are: My name is Larry Minton and for the past 10 years my wife and I have owned and operated a music school in the Ashburn Tech Park. Both my wife and I work approximately 70 hours per week. No lie! If you’re not familiar with small business and small business owners, let me assure you that we are not unique in this. We have watched countless small businesses in this area unable to survive due to the cost of doing business. It’s very expensive here. A recent Jeopardy question asked, “What is the most expensive …
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Revenue necessary if Silver Line Phase 2 is going to be built, Airports Authority says.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board voted Wednesday to raise fees on the Dulles Toll Road through 2014, but held off on raising rates for 2015. As expected, starting Jan. 1, 2013, drivers will pay 25 cents more at the main toll plaza and at on/off ramps for a total of $2.75. In 2014, the rates will rise to $3.50. But the board put off approving an increase for 2015, in hopes of securing alternative sources of funding. In deciding not to set 2015 toll rates, the board noted that the potential for low cost financing afforded by a TIFIA loan, combined with the potential for additional financial assistance from the Commonwealth and possibly other sources, along with the potential for a competitively priced Phase 2 Silver Line…
Board expected to raise Dulles Toll Road fees in vote Wednesday.
Bob Bruhns
5:42 pm on Saturday, April 13, 2013
Speaking of unquestioned estimates, Arlington County had budgeted $20.86 million for a total of 22 of the "Super Stop" bus stops that you may have heard about. $1M exposed D.C.-area bus stop leaves straphangers out in the rain CBS News, March 28, 2013 8:31 AM http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57576724/$1m-exposed-d.c.-area-bus-stop-leaves-straphangers-out-in-the-rain/ That's about $948,000 … more ›