Metro to Dulles Close to Derailment

WASHINGTON - A major transit project that could affect regional commutes for decades now seems in doubt.

With just a week to go before a critical deadline, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine is on Capitol Hill after federal officials raised some doubts about whether the long-planned Dulles rail project will qualify for federal funding.

Without the hoped-for $900 million, the entire $2.5 billion project to extend the rail system would collapse.

The head of the Federal Transit Administration, James S. Simpson, outlined his concerns in a letter sent Thursday to Kaine. He says the project doesn't appear to be a "prudent investment."

After meeting for several hours with Simpson, Kaine indicated they need to answer the federal concerns by Monday.

"We have a great sense of confidence in this project and the partners of the project and the fact that we have done what we have been asked to do and met the criteria," said Kaine. "But we will see what their written documentation is."

The 23-mile extension of Metro Rail to Dulles is considered crucial to the region's transportation system.

Simpson says his office is worried about the project's cost-effectiveness and how the airports authority will come up with the rest of the money for it.

There are also concerns about the ability to pay for the upkeep of the entire system and how many riders the rail line would attract.

"We have the financial capacity to operate the system both from an operating and capital standpoint," says Metro General Manager John Catoe.

Newly elected Metro Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman said rail to Dulles is a project the region cannot do without.

(Copyright 2008 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)