Metro News Release

For immediate release: February 1, 2008

Metro reaffirms support for Dulles Corridor Metrorail project

Metro General Manager John Catoe sent a letter to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) yesterday endorsing the proposed extension of Metrorail along the Dulles Corridor.

“I am writing to express and reaffirm Metro’s strong support for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project,” Metro General Manager John Catoe wrote to MWAA’s President/CEO James Bennett in a three-page letter. “This is a critical project in an important economic and transportation corridor in the National Capital Region and as you are aware, the Metro Board has adopted several resolutions in support of this project.”

The letter provided some background about Metro’s support and involvement in the project for nearly a decade and reassured Bennett that, “The Metro Board has approved the financial plan for the Dulles Phase I project and Metro can operate this extension upon its completion and acceptance into the Metrorail regional system.”

The letter also put to bed previous news reports that routine staff-to-staff communication was being misinterpreted as problematic. “I want to clarify that these are routine technical issues that at this time do not rise to the level of significance that is being attached to it by the FTA (Federal Transportation Administration) or the media. We are committed to working in mutual cooperation with you and your staff to seek their resolution,” Catoe wrote.

The letter also expressed confidence that Metro’s funding partners, including the federal government, “will ensure that our capital funding needs will be met in a timely manner.”

The letter was also copied to the Governor, senators, congressmen and secretary of transportation of the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as the FTA administrator and Metro’s Board of Directors.

Letter to MWAA (PDF)

News release issued at 9:31 am, February 1, 2008.