Federal Transit Administration Awards Funding for Dulles Corridor Project

Washington – FTA Administrator Jennifer L. Dorn today announced a $58.9 million grant to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT) for the Dulles Corridor Rail Project. The grant will be used for preliminary engineering, the second phase of a three-part process in which the project’s design, scope and cost are refined before construction can begin.

“Enhancing public transportation will strengthen the economic pulse of the rapidly growing Dulles Corridor,” said Administrator Dorn.  “Transit helps connect workers to jobs, shoppers to stores and offers weary commuters a break from the congested roadways.”

The Dulles Corridor Rail Project – Extension to Wiehle Avenue – is an 11.6-mile Metrorail line from the existing West Falls Church station to Wiehle Avenue in Reston.  It will include four new stations in the Tysons’ Corner area and one at Wiehle Avenue.  In its first year of operation, the line is expected to carry 62,900 passengers every weekday.

In June 2004, the FTA gave approval for the project to move into the preliminary engineering phase. This approval does not guarantee that the project will be approved to enter the Final Design phase of project development. The FTA will continue to monitor and evaluate the project throughout the development process, as information concerning costs, benefits and impacts is refined. In order to be considered for any future grants, all federal requirements must be met as the project continues through the rigorous development process.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will serve as the technical manager of the project on behalf of the VDRPT to ensure that the project design is compatible with the existing Metrorail system.