The Observer Newspapers |Major Move Forward for Dulles Rail

May 9, 2008

Major Move Forward for Dulles Rail
By Del. Ken Plum

Rail in the Dulles Corridor made another major lurch forward with federal approval to begin final design. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters and Federal Transit Agency (FTA) Administrator James S. Simpson notified the U.S. Congress last week that the project was approved having met federal standards for cost efficiency, construction and expected ridership.

A collective sigh of relief was heard from the Governor's office and throughout the region for the approval that was a long time coming following a rigorous scrutiny by a skeptical federal agency. The project represents the single largest design-build contract in the history of the FTA's New Start Program. Its 23-mile length is almost a quarter as long as the original 103-mile Metro system.

When I stood at the Sheraton International Hotel with a group of community and business leaders in August, 1998 to announce the formation of the Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA) to advocate for rail in the corridor, I had no idea that the approval process would take so long and be as challenging as it has been. In a prophetic statement, the first draft plan for DCRA stated that "major public support will need to be sustained for eight to ten years in order to ensure that successive generations of political leaders enjoy an environment in which positive decisions can be made" regarding the project.

In carrying out their responsibilities as stewards of the public purse, the FTA asked tough questions about the project costs, schedule and benefits and contracted with private consulting firms to verify that the answers were accurate. Even with the approval to move into final design, Secretary Peters made it clear that issues related to the upkeep and maintenance of the current Metro system and the need to adhere to project schedule and costs were essential before a full funding agreement could be approved.

Plaudits are in order for many people who made this step in the approval process possible: Governor Kaine could not have been more dedicated and tenacious in continuing negotiations with the federal authorities when the project seemed lost; members of Congress and most notably Senator Warner and Congressman Wolfe for insisting that the federal officials work with the state; and the thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations who joined in the Dulles Rail Now! campaign led by DCRA that flooded the White House and the Department of Transportation with phone calls, emails, and letters including a couple of full-page newspaper ads that helped to move the project forward.

Work is already underway in relocating utilities at Tysons Corner. Engineers are completing the design. Planners are at work on smart land use decisions that will utilize the strengths of the rail system. As rail moves forward, our community is blessed with another feature that will enhance the quality of life of all who live here.

Mr. Plum (D) is a delegate in the Virginia General Assembly representing Reston in the 36th district. A retired teacher and school administrator, Mr. Plum has served in the General Assembly for 28 years.