by WMATAGMOAGH
From Washingtonpost.com:
Federal Regulators Sign Off on Dulles Rail Extension
By Amy Gardner
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 3, 2008; 3:33 PM
Federal regulators have signed off on a long-awaited extension of Metrorail to Tysons Corner and Dulles International Airport, officially reversing their threats earlier this year to kill the $5.2 billion project.
The Federal Transit Administration approved the extension, which now heads to U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and the Office of Management and Budget for final sign-off. Approval from the FTA, where regulators had attacked the proposal as too expensive and poorly managed, is widely viewed as a critical moment for a project that local and state officials say is crucial to relieve traffic and spur economic growth at Tysons Corner and along the Dulles corridor.
"Rail is really coming to Dulles," said Dan Scandling, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.). "After so many years and the fits and starts, this is going to be reality. It's going to happen. Which is great news for people who are stuck in traffic.
The 23-mile Silver Line is expected to extend from Falls Church to Dulles and into Loudoun County. Its boosters say four planned stops in Tysons Corner will spur an urban revival in the suburban office park, which is Virginia's largest jobs center and one of its most successful shopping hubs.
Federal Regulators Sign Off on Dulles Rail Extension
By Amy Gardner
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 3, 2008; 3:33 PM
Federal regulators have signed off on a long-awaited extension of Metrorail to Tysons Corner and Dulles International Airport, officially reversing their threats earlier this year to kill the $5.2 billion project.
The Federal Transit Administration approved the extension, which now heads to U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and the Office of Management and Budget for final sign-off. Approval from the FTA, where regulators had attacked the proposal as too expensive and poorly managed, is widely viewed as a critical moment for a project that local and state officials say is crucial to relieve traffic and spur economic growth at Tysons Corner and along the Dulles corridor.
"Rail is really coming to Dulles," said Dan Scandling, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.). "After so many years and the fits and starts, this is going to be reality. It's going to happen. Which is great news for people who are stuck in traffic.
The 23-mile Silver Line is expected to extend from Falls Church to Dulles and into Loudoun County. Its boosters say four planned stops in Tysons Corner will spur an urban revival in the suburban office park, which is Virginia's largest jobs center and one of its most successful shopping hubs.
