Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 28, 2007

Metro Approves Financial Plan and Operating Agreement for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project

The proposed operating financial plan for Phase I of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Extension, an 11-mile, five-station extension from the Orange Line through Tysons Corner to Wiehle Avenue in Reston was approved by the Metro Board of Directors today, June 28.

The Board also approved an agreement with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), which outlines Metro’s role and responsibilities for the project, including oversight during the final design, construction, testing and acceptance phases of the project. The design and construction of this project will be managed by the Airports Authority with capital funding from Fairfax County, Virginia, Dulles Toll Road revenues and MWAA. Upon completion of construction and Metro’s certification, Metro will take over this extension for operations and fully integrate it into the regional Metrorail system.

The schedule anticipates Phase I to be operational in 2012. A federal full funding grant agreement, which would provide federal funding commitments, will be required to further advance this project.

“This extension is a significant expansion, which will connect the second largest employment center in this area with the rest of the region,” said John Catoe, Metro’s General Manager. He also emphasized the importance of the agreements that were approved in defining the scope of the project and the conditions that must be met for Metro’s acceptance of this extension for operations.

The budget in Phase I for Metro activities is $272.8 million, which will be fully reimbursed by the Virginia funding partners.

Under the agreement, Metro’s role includes:

• Capital equipment - Metro will design, buy and install equipment including 64 rail cars, automatic fare collection equipment, signs and artwork in the stations.

• Technical support - Metro will serve as technical advisor to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to ensure that the project is built according to Metro’s design and construction criteria.

The total cost of the agreement is $272.8 million, which will be reimbursed to the Authority by Virginia. 

News release issued at 12:00 am, June 28, 2007.