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Sen. Warner Wants Dulles Metro Project Costs Reduced
Sen. Mark Warner (D) joins the debate over the $2.5 billion Dulles Metro Project
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner (D) expressed his opinion about the Dulles Metro Project that is expected to cost $2.5 billion, according to most recent figures, in a letter to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).
In the letter, Sen. Warner writes that the project costs should be cut by 15 percent and building the station at Dulles International Airport aboveground as opposed to underground should be an option. Fifteen percent equates to about $375 million, or slightly more than the anticipated cost of building an underground station at the airport.
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Correction: In a previous version of this article, the told project cost was incorrect.
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Kim Kolb
8:56 pm on Friday, June 24, 2011
Someone else chimes in on the above ground option without looking at the long view.
The Dulles Metro Station is for intents and purposes a new gateway to NOVA and the region, it's a first impression to visitors here for both business and pleasure.
The above ground option is not putting our best foot forward. After arriving at Dulles after a transatlantic flight, going through customs, the moving sidewalk and an elevator ride isn't the way to greet visitors. Nor is it terribly workable for an individual carrying a carry-on bag, and toting two pieces of luggage arriving at the airport.
The extra money for the below ground option is a better long-term investment for all of us. They need to cut the cost someplace else, such as one of the three stations beyond Herndon.
Mark Clyman
8:18 am on Saturday, June 25, 2011
I agree with Kim Kolb, we should keep the goal for the under ground metro because this will be the only airport show we have the best airport in NOVA compare to Ronald Reagon and BWI. BWI does not have a metro station at the airport. The extra cost will go a long way and it would be a shame to shelf the idea. The airport authority could for an idea to charge extra $2.00 - $3.00 fee for travelers going in and out of dulles airport to be added to the flight ticket. If you figure we can can generate millions of dollars from travelers and and find a way to keep the cost down at the toll plaza. The Airport Authority need to be creative to find funds without us paying for the extra cost for the underground project. If they could do it and take the part of the project as part of the Metro Airport Authority cost without us paying extra would be a win win situiation. I favor the underground and some times in the long run we will realized it worth the money in the long run. LET MAKES DULLES NUMBER ONE AIRPORT IN THE AREA! It will bring more travlers to dulles due to easy mass transit system. People from Washington, NOVA would be please to travel out of dulles more then the other airport. The Board Members at the Airport are doing the right thing in the long run. RESTONIAN !!
The Convict
9:30 am on Saturday, June 25, 2011
The above ground option is shear folly considering the uncovered distance that passengers and employees would have to traverse between the station and the airport. If you want a feel for the distance, I suggest that the next time that you are at Atlanta's Hartsfield airport, try lugging your luggage between the A and D terminals without using the tram or the slidewalks. Then, fly to Amsterdam and check out how easy it is to get from the airport onto the train. There's no comparison. Having both IN the same building is a far superior solution and greatly reduces the stress of having to move the family and their attendant luggage from one means of conveyance to another.