Plum, Howell Ask Governor to Plan to Keep Tolls Low

Virginia State Sen. Janet Howell (D-32nd) and Ken Plum (D-36th) have set a joint letter to Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) expressing their concerns with the projected rise in tolls on the Dulles Toll Road.

Howell and Plum say they are concerned that the increased costs of the Metro Silver Line Phase II will "unreasonably affect" toll rates.

"We respectfully request that you include in your next transportation plan an amount of dollars that will, at a minimum, keep tolls at no more than originally planned," the legislators said.

After the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority voted for an underground station last spring, the estimated cost of Phase II of the project, which will run from Wiehle Avenue in Reston to the Airport and into Loudoun County, grew to $3.5 billion.

A an above-ground station and other changes shaved about $1 billion off the price tag - but many critics feel citizens will still have to bear the burden of the costs with tolls that could top $10 in a few years.

Patrick Forrest, Howelll's opponent in the November election, predicts the tolls could go as high as $17 and has started a petition drive to demand public officials find alternate funding sources.

Here is the letter:

Dear Governor McDonnell:

We write to you to express our concern about the possibility of unreasonable toll increases on the Dulles Toll Road in the future.

We know that you share our belief that toll rates can become excessive and counterproductive to having our citizens use toll facilities. We know you also agree that excessive tolls place an unfair burden on commuters and local businesses.

Your recent actions to provide $395 million to buy down the tolls on an additional midtown tunnel between Norfolk and Portsmouth and also to provide up to $500 million to buy down tolls on Route 460 demonstrated your understanding of the need and the importance of state assistance to keep toll rates at a minimum.

 We believe the residents and businesses using the Dulles Toll Road also deserve relief.

 A 2009 investment-grade traffic and revenue study projected a rate in year 2043 of  $7.00 at the main plaza (present value equivalent of $2.56)  and $4.25 at the ramps (present value equivalent of $1.56).  As you know, an updated study is currently underway and will be delivered before the end of the year. We eagerly await the results of that study because some in the community are using  projections that have not been validated to create concern and confusion.

Our concern is that the increased costs of Phase II, even after being reduced, will unreasonably affect toll rates.  We respectfully request that you include in your next transportation plan an amount of dollars that will, at a minimum, keep tolls at no more than originally planned.

Thank you for your personal involvement working to reduce the costs of Phase II of the Dulles Metrorail extension.  The efforts of all of us were successful in reducing the costs.  We appreciate your pledge of $150 million to help reduce the tolls to pay the state portion of the extension costs;  however, we believe our area merits additional help from the Commonwealth.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely yours,

Kenneth R. Plum                                        Janet D. Howell

Virginia House of Delegates                             Virginia State Senate