McDonnell: Low Bids Will Mean Lower Tolls

Virginia governor says savings on construction will be passed on to savings by drivers.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell says the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority's five proposals for construction of Phase 2 of the Silver Line came in far below expectations - which he predicts will mean major savings for Virginia taxpayers and users of the Dulles Toll Road. MWAA received proposals last week from Bechtel Transit Partners, Capital Rail Constructors, Dulles APC Railbuilders, Dulles Metrorail Connectors, and Silver Line Constructors. The estimates range from $1.17 billion to $1.37 billion, MWAA said. MWAA is expected to conduct a detailed review of the proposals and award a contract later this spring. The $2.7 billion Phase 2 is being built without federal funding (Phase 1 received $900 million in federal dollars). It will …

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Five Bid for Silver Line Phase 2 Contract

Contractors estimate costs of $1.1 to more than $1.3 billion.

Five contractors - including Reston-based Bechtel - have entered bids to construct Phase 2 of Metro's Silver Line, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced Friday.  The bids ranged from $1.1 to $1.3 billion. Phase 2 is the 11.4-mile segment of the Silver Line that will run from Reston's Wiehle Avenue to Dulles International Airport and into Ashburn, Phase 1 of the Silver Line, from Tysons Corner  to Wiehle Avenue, is nearly completed and scheduled to open in December. MWAA said Friday the award of the Phase 2 contract will occur after a review to validate that each proposal properly responds to the solicitation.  “Today is a significant step toward the selection of the design-build contractor for Phase 2,” Pat Nowakowski, …

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MWAA: Rail Yard Won’t Delay Silver Line

The contractors plans to deliver project on time, but contingencies are in place to keep rail on track.

After reports that delays on a rail yard project at West Falls Church could delay the start date for the Metro’s Silver Line, a representative for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority denies the claim. MWAA is constructing the 23-mile Silver Line extension. Marcia McAllister, spokeswoman for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, an arm of MWAA, acknowledged the contractor’s schedule had slipped on the Falls Church rail yard. The rail yard is needed to help accommodate the additional trains operating along the Silver Line, which will run from East Falls Church to Reston in its first phase and beyond to Ashburn when complete. McAllister said the part of the rail yard project experiencing delays was a service and inspection …

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Final Silver Line Timetable Has Rail on Track

Phase 1 of new rail line expected to be turned over for testing and training in August.

Metro's Silver Line Phase 1 is 86 percent complete and on schedule for delivery by the end of August, says Pat Nowakowski, Executive Director of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. Nowakowski gave an analysis at last week's Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority meeting. MWAA is not giving an exact date that Phase 1 of the Silver Line — which will run from Tysons Corner to Reston's Wiehle Avenue — will open, but is sticking with a general date of December 2013 for now, MWAA spokesman Rob Yingling said. Some of the highlights of Nowakowski's presentation: * Final Design – All design is complete. One permit needs to be secured. * Metro has paid out $2.255 billion so far. The final cost is expected to be $2,905,695,000. There is $81 …

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Airport Holiday Travel Tips from MWAA

Information, websites and more that can help you get through the airport.

With the holidays comes holiday traveling and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has tips for customers traveling through Dulles International and Reagan National airports.  “We advise our customers to plan ahead and arrive early during peak times this holiday season,” said Jack Potter, MWAA President and CEO in a press release. “We are committed to providing an excellent, welcoming experience to all travelers who come to our airports — especially at this time of the year.” This year the Transportation Security Administration introduced TSAPre✓, a dedicated security checkpoint for passengers who are approved for expedited screening. Approved passengers don't have to remove their shoes, belts, laptops or 3-1-1 compliant bags from …

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Former County Exec Griffin Joins MWAA Board

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 …

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Bob Bruhns

11:20 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2012

I might begin to have faith in MWAA and Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, if they would IMMEDIATELY investigate the apparent double price of the Dulles Rail project. They can easily call out the cost estimators for this project and get a full accounting of the sky-high estimates. But they do not do this. That is why I consider this whole bunch, and the surrounding 'leaders' who also do not demand …   more ›

Silver Line May Cost More Than Expected

Turnaround on Maryland end could cost Metro an additional $4.5 million year.

MWAA OKs More Toll Hikes for 2013, '14

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…

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IG Report Questions MWAA Policies

In statement, regional panel welcomes report, while letter to LaHood criticizes interference.

A long-awaited report about the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation’s Inspector General calls for actions beyond what the regional panel has already undertaken. MWAA, responsible for constructing Metro’ Silver Line project from Falls Church to Ashburn, came under fire for lax oversight of its members. The IG report also raises questions about whether the organization’s policies permit favoritism in awarding contracts and nepotism in awarding jobs. For the full report, see the PDF attached to this article. After an interim report from the IG, MWAA approved a new travel policy and code of ethics, revised bylaws for board members and its Freedom of Information Policy and terminated contracts with…

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Bob Bruhns

12:30 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012

It's just a bunch of crooks fighting over stolen money. Reports that expose their lies are not going to help them grab the money and run, so they don't demand them. The Dulles Rail project, also known as the Silver Line, costs two times what it should - we're talking about an unnecessary extra $2.5 to $3 Billion dollars of economic drain that is causing a major financial crisis for this entire …   more ›

Fairfax Board Seeks Changes to Wolf's MWAA Bill

Frank Wolf (R-10th)'s legislation would give Virginia more appointees on the MWAA Board of Directors, but supervisors want a hand in the appointment process.

As U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th) prepares a bill that would change the makeup of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Board of Directors, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors are asking him to include language that would give Northern Virginia more influence in appointing members. The MWAA Board — which has been sharply criticized by Virginia officials in Fairfax and elsewhere for its handling of the Dulles Metrorail project, including a squabble over a labor agreement for Phase 2 of the line that will run from Reston to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County — currently includes three presidential appointees, five appointees from Virginia, three from D.C. and three from Maryland. Wolf’s proposed legislation …

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