Committee Tells MWAA Air Rights Construction May Not Be Necessary

Don't look for construction over the Dulles Toll Road when the Metro is extended past Reston Parkway by 2016.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority's Dulles Corridor Committee suggested to its board of directors deferring the idea of building structures around the Reston Parkway Metro Station that will enable air rights development above and over the toll road.

Estimates to build over the toll road run from $34 million (if the design is incororated into other structures and built on 60-foot spans before the Metro is operational) to $60 million (built on 150-foot spans after the rail opens).

The study also concluded that there may not be market demand for additional development of this type.

"The risk of over speculation and over-supply is very real, and extends beyond Reston Station," the report states. "Almost the entire additional demand [for office and retail space] could be satisfied using land with already approved zoning in that area."

The committee suggested waiting to construct over the toll road when regional  market and economic conditions improve.