$85 Million for Dulles Rail

Courtesy of Raising Kaine

The annual transportation spending bill approved by the full House last week includes $85 million for the Dulles rail project, Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th) announced.
 
"Dulles rail is going to get cars off the access road and I-66," said Wolf, who has long championed this project.
 
The measure also includes language to help address traffic congestion on I-66 outside the beltway and funding for project in Purcellville.
 
"The fiscal year 2010 Transportation Appropriations bill also includes language encouraging the Federal Highway Administration to work with the Virginia Department of Transportation to find solutions to improve traffic flow on I-66 outside the Beltway," Wolf said. "FHWA must be consulted on any changes in the corridor because I-66 is an interstate."
 
The measure recommends that the two agencies consider extending the "hours of use" of the shoulder lanes by one hour in each direction on I-66 between the Beltway and Route 50.  It also recommends opening the Monument Drive and Stringfellow Road ramps to all traffic during non-HOV hours.  Wolf worked with Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity to have this language included in the bill.  
 
"I remain committed to improving traffic flow on I-66," Wolf said. "The money is there to begin making the spot improvements westbound inside the Beltway and I continue to push for bus rapid transit in the corridor outside the Beltway.  This language included in this bill is part of an effort to bring some relief now."
 
The bill also includes $500,000 for improvements to the intersection of Main Street and Maple Avenue in Purcellville.  Wolf, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, sought funding for this project at the request of the town of Purcellville.             
 
The money is for the Dulles rail project provided in the annual appropriation process  for the project since the full funding grant agreement was signed in March by the U.S. department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.  This will bring the total federal share to date for the project to more than $440 million.
 
"This is another step in the process of extending rail out the Dulles corridor," Wolf said.  "This project has been a long time coming, but it is happening.  The work has begun and the federal share of the project is falling into place."
 
The Senate is expected to take up its version of the annual spending bill later this year.