Suit could disrupt rail to Dulles project

WASHINGTON - A federal lawsuit to stop toll hikes on the Dulles Toll Road could throw a wrench into the financing of the Metro to Dulles rail extension.

The tolls on the Dulles toll road are supposed to go up by 25 cents in January. It's the first of three increases proposed to partially finance the extension of Metrorail to the airport, construction that is already underway.

The citizens group, Dulles Corridor Users, filed suit. The group claims the toll is now really a tax because the highway has already been paid for.

"Any charges beyond that are not returned to the General Assembly for reallocation constitute a tax," says landowner Chris Walker who started the Dulles Corridor Users group.

"The General assembly of Virginia has never authorized the Dulles rail project or the taxation of anybody to pay for this rail project."

Walker contends the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is building the extension, doesn't have the legal authority to tax.

Previous suits aimed at stopping the Silver Line have failed.

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