General agreement exists that:
1. The Silver Line be built in the most cost effective, timely, and passenger-friendly manner possible.
2. Significant improvements to the passenger service quality at Washington Dulles are required.
3. A positive MWAA relationship with the community at large is critical to the success of the rail project and the region.
“The MWAA has been a model for 21st century transportation management because of its ability to fund major infrastructure projects in a responsible manner and work with partners. In so doing, the MWAA has established a 25-year track record of successfully completing projects”, Leo Schefer, President WATF, stated.
The WATF calls upon MWAA and its partners to address reducing the cost of the Phase 2 Dulles Metrorail Project and improving passenger service quality.
Action 1: Reduce the cost of Phase 2 of the Dulles Metrorail Project
Based on its assessment of the situation, the WATF believes that between $500 million to $800 million can be cut from the existing $3.5 billion cost estimate for Phase 2 of the project. Such a reduction may well be necessary if the project is to be funded without undermining MWAA’s ability to make further needed airport improvements.
a) Aboveground station with:
- Weather Shields
- Free carts and available porter service in both directions
Savings $330+ million
b) Negotiate third-party agreements for parking garages with Loudoun and Fairfax Counties, following the Wiehle Avenue concept
Savings $100 million to $200 million
c) Negotiate a cost effective rail yard with WMATA Savings $50 million to $100 million
d) Seek additional support from Virginia Reduce debt requirements by $100 million to $150 million
Total Reduction in Required Debt $580 million to $780 million
Seek needed Virginia support for a federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan.
Seek support from Virginia’s Transportation Infrastructure Fund.
Action 2: Improve passenger service quality at Washington Dulles
If the region is to reap the full benefit of Washington Dulles’s expansion capacity and improve the passengers’ experience, it is imperative to fund and build the Tier 2 midfield terminal project. This terminal will be used by 60% of the airport’s travelers, eliminate an existing 900-ft. walk between the AeroTrain and the old C/D concourse, and expand international capacity.
In the short-term, significant service quality improvements would be gained from a range of TSA and Customs (CBP) enhancements being sought by the MWAA to reduce passenger queue times. These enhancements include adequate CBP staffing, promotion to expand the use of Global Entry, and the elimination of duplicate inspections for many international connecting travelers.
Service quality for an aboveground Metro station could be gained relatively inexpensively through the use of weather shields and a baggage service.
The WATF is a non-profit, public-private sector partnership that works to promote the expansion and enhancement of aviation services for Virginia and the National Capital region in order to stimulate job creation and economic prosperity. As such, its views represent consumer, civic, and economic interests in a region whose tourism and high-tech employment is closely tied to the proficiency of its scheduled air service.
