Public input on proposed Dulles Toll Road Inc

[Sunny]

I received the following email today- a great opportunity for us to voice our opinion!!!
(I think it is strange that they did not give directions via the greenway from Leesburg, since it is the most direct route)

PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR

PROPOSED 25-CENT TOLL INCREASE ON DULLES TOLL ROAD

What: The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will consider a 25-cent toll increase on the Dulles Toll road during its February meeting in Richmond. The proposed toll increase would help fund part of Virginia's share to build the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. The CTB invites the public to share comments during its workshop and meeting.

When and where: 3 p.m., Feb. 16, 2005 at the following locations:
Northern Virginia (location for people to participate by videoconference)
VDOT District Office at 14685 Avion Parkway, Chantilly
Directions
From the Capital Beltway: Take I-66 West for 8 miles and exit at Route 50 West. Continue on Route 50 for approximately 7 miles and turn right onto Stonecroft Boulevard and right on Avion Parkway. Take your second right to access VDOT s parking lot.

From Leesburg: Take Route 7 East to Route 28 South to Route 50 West. Go to the third traffic light and turn right onto Stonecroft Boulevard and right on Avion Parkway. Take your second right to access VDOT s parking lot.

Richmond (location of CTB workshop and meeting)
VDOT Central Office Auditorium at 1221 E. Broad St., Richmond
Directions
From the north: Take I-95 South toward Richmond. Take exit number 74C (Broad Street). VDOT Central Office is on your left as soon as you exit onto Broad Street. Metered parking and private parking is available on Broad Street.

From the south: Take I-95 North toward Richmond. Take exit number 74C toward US 33/ Broad St./U.S. 250. Take the U.S. 33 W. Broad St./U.S. 250 west ramp toward the State Capitol/Coliseum and you'll see VDOT offices on your left.

(Note: Presentation of the proposed toll increase will begin at 3 p.m., followed by public comments.)
Other public comment opportunities: While comments will be taken during the workshop on Feb. 16, the public may also provide comments prior to the CTB meeting on the following morning, 9 a.m., Feb. 17 at the Richmond location above. The public may also e-mail their comments by going to www.VirginiaDOT.org <http://www.virginiadot.org/>

[boomertsfx]

here's an idea: how about people that take the train fund the metrorail project :) or, get the greenway sheisters to pay for it, since they charge ungodly amounts to drive from dulles to leesburg..

[afgm]

I wouldn't authorize another penny to the Greedway without getting something out of it. Here's a novel idea, get them to charge for miles used, rather than an outrageous flat rate.

Also, I've heard they have begun the process of adding an additional lane to both sides. Sounds like that's the real reason they want more money. More capacity, more cars, more revenue.

[T8erman]

afgm - I believe that this is for the toll road segment and not the greenway.

[afgm]

I heard it in reference to the walk/bike path connection between Broadlands and Ashburn Farm. Heresay, but seemed reliable.

[Homer Simpson]

quote:Originally posted by afgm

I wouldn't authorize another penny to the Greedway without getting something out of it. Here's a novel idea, get them to charge for miles used, rather than an outrageous flat rate.

Also, I've heard they have begun the process of adding an additional lane to both sides. Sounds like that's the real reason they want more money. More capacity, more cars, more revenue.


Aflat rate would be great and I don't think they would lose money. They would probably break even with the increased usage they would see. But then again the Greedway are 'slash and burn' types who actually said "we would come back when we understand the value of our time" about the outrageous increase. And they are right, with Loudoun helping them by clogging up every atery out of Ashburn with lights, the only way out quickly is the Greedway.

[jtarnow]

Folks, as said earlier, this proposal is for the Dulles Toll Road from Route 28 to the Capital Beltway. The Toll Road is a state road and unrelated to the Greenway except that they share a route number (VA 267) and connect into each other.

I drive both the Toll Road and Greenway all the way into DC and back every day, and I'll pay whatever is needed to get rail built out here fast!

[afgm]

Ok, I got it. I was confused, the $.25 is for the Toll Road. (should of read the whole thing)

I do think the Greedway is putting in for lane additions, as stated, in reference to the pathway.

[Homer Simpson]

quote:Originally posted by jtarnow

Folks, as said earlier, this proposal is for the Dulles Toll Road from Route 28 to the Capital Beltway. The Toll Road is a state road and unrelated to the Greenway except that they share a route number (VA 267) and connect into each other.

I drive both the Toll Road and Greenway all the way into DC and back every day, and I'll pay whatever is needed to get rail built out here fast!


I know its for the toll road but I couldn't resist a chance to bash the greedway and agree with AFGM at the same time. It's like a celestial event.

To be on topic. I would pay the .25 cents to get the metro here.

[beahmer]

Boomer - I totally agree with you - why should those of us that choose to drive have to pay for Metro. BTW - Metro can't get me to my work anyways - not without 2 connections on a bus making my commute longer than traveling by car.

I can guarantee the state would not be adding tolls if they didnt already exist. This is an easy way for them to raise money and not affect everyone in the corridor. At least if they dinged everyone with some sort of additional "tax" I would feel better that everyone was paying not just commuters.

Some alternate transportation options might be nice but let those that choose to ride pay for the service whatever it costs - and by the way Metro to Ashburn - Maybe by 2015!!

[Homer Simpson]

quote:Originally posted by beahmer

Boomer - I totally agree with you - why should those of us that choose to drive have to pay for Metro. BTW - Metro can't get me to my work anyways - not without 2 connections on a bus making my commute longer than traveling by car.

I can guarantee the state would not be adding tolls if they didnt already exist. This is an easy way for them to raise money and not affect everyone in the corridor. At least if they dinged everyone with some sort of additional "tax" I would feel better that everyone was paying not just commuters.

Some alternate transportation options might be nice but let those that choose to ride pay for the service whatever it costs - and by the way Metro to Ashburn - Maybe by 2015!!




You should check out what VDOT is doing on 95. They are adding tolls that dont exist with the HOT lanes.

[beahmer]

Homer - agree they are adding tolls, but those tolls will be paid by those folks who choose to ride in the HOT lanes. In other words, the users are paying for it, not every person driving along 95, etc... I agree with the same principle for the Metro - those that use it should pay for it. Have you ever noticed when Metro wants to raise the fares by 10cents the riders are distraught/furious at the additional costs. Well the state is getting ready to raise my commute 40cents each way and I'm not even using the system.

I also think that it's too expensive and that alternative solutions are out there (and were presented but not considered by the govt)and that these solutions would have alternatives out here in the next few years making it a much sooner solution for those that want to not drive a car.

[flynnibus]

don't you all think this 'let the users pay' thing is taking it a bit too far? I mean.. obviously usage only can't pay for the projects.. hence why they are government projects to start with.

I mean.. lets remember 'common good' here. Example, having mass transit does everyone good, even those who do not use it (less traffic, less polution, etc).

Listening to you guys it sounds like you don't want to pay for anything you don't use yourself...

-Steve

[beahmer]

Flynn - maybe having the users pay for ALL of it might take it a bit to far - but why should only the commuters have to pay for it. If it benefits the common good then maybe the common people (ie. everyone) should be paying for it - that's all I'm saying. Raise the gas tax by a few cents, raise the real estate taxes by a penny to pay for it - but charge everyone.

What I also find funny is that Metro is so underfunded by all the local governements around here. If they dont see the common good in dedicating funding - kind of makes you think.

And again, let's look at the cheaper alternatives like buses, or the bus rapid transit they is cheaper and would be here sooner.

[jtarnow]

quote:Originally posted by beahmer

Flynn - maybe having the users pay for ALL of it might take it a bit to far - but why should only the commuters have to pay for it. If it benefits the common good then maybe the common people (ie. everyone) should be paying for it - that's all I'm saying. Raise the gas tax by a few cents, raise the real estate taxes by a penny to pay for it - but charge everyone.


Excellent point, but remember that we northern Virginians voted down a $.05 sales tax increase two years ago that would have been dedicated by law to improving transportation in this region.

[flynnibus]

yeah.. but buses have a stimatism associated to them.

We have lots of bus transit here now (at least in Fairfax County) but people for the most part ignore it. A bit of our snobby side I think.

But against buses for a real reason.. they are pretty slow

-Steve

[Dutchml]

Flynn, take a bus trip in the morning from Herndon/Monroe to West Falls Church and tell me "for the most part people ignore it". It's standing room only.

[flynnibus]

I fail to see how the fact the bus is crowded has any significance except maybe the service is under serviced?

Plus, that's one route.. that normally would take you along the worst road in the area (rt 66).. so yea.. I'd expect that one to be busy. Still doesn't change that for the most part people drive (and not even car pool) in this suburbia.


-Steve

[Dutchml]

It's the route to West Falls Church, along the toll road, not 66. It's how your neighbors get downtown via public transportation. These buses leave every 3 minutes from Herndon/Monroe to get to Metro and every one is packed in the morning.

[jtarnow]

quote:Originally posted by flynnibus

Still doesn't change that for the most part people drive (and not even car pool) in this suburbia.


This raises another related question ... why are there no slug lines out here to take advantage of HOV on the Toll Road and I-66, such as there are down the 395/95 corridor?

[flynnibus]

quote:Originally posted by Dutchml

It's the route to West Falls Church, along the toll road, not 66. It's how your neighbors get downtown via public transportation. These buses leave every 3 minutes from Herndon/Monroe to get to Metro and every one is packed in the morning.


I'm aware the bus bypasses the toll-road.. but the only reason people are taking the bus is to get to the metro.. to get to downtown.. hence my point about Rt66 (the means to get to downtown). They aren't taking the bus to get somewhere via bus.. they are taking the bus to simply connect to the metro.. to get on the orange line.

The tollroad part is like saying 'I walk to work' because I walk from my house to my car in the morning :)

Besides.. I bet most of those people are taking the bus because its so hard to park at west falls church.

My original point is still.. the bus system is by enlarge ignored. And the buses do more then just connect to the metro stations! Which again validates the notion that people don't care/know about the current bus routes available.

-Steve

[jtarnow]

quote:Originally posted by flynnibus

quote:Originally posted by Dutchml

It's the route to West Falls Church, along the toll road, not 66. It's how your neighbors get downtown via public transportation. These buses leave every 3 minutes from Herndon/Monroe to get to Metro and every one is packed in the morning.


My original point is still.. the bus system is by enlarge ignored. And the buses do more then just connect to the metro stations! Which again validates the notion that people don't care/know about the current bus routes available.

-Steve


I don't know about the Fairfax Connector buses, but as one who has taken the Loudoun Commuter bus into DC on two isolated occasions (I normally drive), those buses are not underutilized! And they go to more than the Metro.

[Dwarflord]

I disagree too about pushing a tax on driving commuters to pay for someting they aren't using or may never use in the form of the rail service. Once the rail is built, do you think this extra .25 charged on us will be dropped.....:D, I really doubt it. Seeing that the current fees we are seeing were supposed to stop YEARS ago (when the tollroad was paid for), I doubt that the new increase would be removed once the rail was built and in service. Granted, we pay a nominal fee as it is, but when the state maintains it with the taxes we currently pay (in both income and fuel taxes), why are we still forced to pay for the service as it is now? Its like any other state road as far as Im concerned.
I disagree with having to pay the extra .25 for the rail. I do agree that a rail may help somewhat in traffic congestion, but ask the airport to pay for some, ask the current rail system to pay for it. Since this is of public use, let our government help pay for it as they do for our road systems, heaven knows I pay enough taxes around this place. If the governments dont have enough tax revenue to support it, then create more jobs, or stop giving so much in tax credits to businesses. If the locale can not support the growth they are feeling, then they need to limit the growth.....this is another can of worms, but you see my point.

DwArFlOrD

[flynnibus]

my beef with the greenway is that the state obviously leans on it as an excuse not to build competing roads that we so deperately need. I wouldn't care if they charged $10 as long as it was an optional way.. but reality is.. the greenway is really the only true commuter route east. Rt-7 is swamped.. and Rt 50 is as well and too far south.

-Steve

[beahmer]

FYI.... For those that oppose this increase an email I received........


Dear Friends:

I received your email from a list of people who submitted comments opposing the Dulles Greenway toll increase in 2003.

Now, Virginia Gov.Warner wants to raise tolls on the Dulles Toll Road -- by 50%.

Please attend one of 3 unofficial public hearings to oppose the toll increase, which is intended NOT to ease congestion on the highway, but to finance Dulles Rail (which won't be built to Loudoun for another 15 years).*

Tolls could jump 50% on Feb. 17 by the Commonwealth Transportation Board unless you speak out.*** Our web site has been revamped so you can send comments directly to Richmond:* http://www.notollincrease.com/

Thursday, Feb. 10, Reston:
Fairfax County supervisor* Cathy Hudgins will hold a hearing in the Community Room of the North County Governmental Center, 7:30 p.m. 12000 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, which is off Reston Parkway near the Reston Library. Transportation Board member Kate Hanley will be on hand, and other CTB members have been invited to hear from the public and answer questions.* Both are ardent supporters of raising taxes and tolls to finance Dulles Rail -- despite its minuscule benefit to commuters
Friday, Feb. 11, Leesburg
On behalf of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Vice-Chairman Bruce Tulloch has requested that Kate Hanley, the Northern Virginia Representative to the Commonwealth Transportation Board, be available to answer questions and hear public comment regarding a proposed toll increase on the Dulles Toll Road. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m., Friday, February 11, 2005, in the Board Room of the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison St., S.E., Leesburg, Virginia.** We are uncertain whether Hobie Mitchell, the Loudoun rep, will be on hand.
http://www.loudoun.gov/news/toll.htm
Saturday, Feb. 12, Herndon
Commissioner Hanley and possibly Commissioner Julia Connolly will hear citizens at Herndon Town Hall, 9 a.m., 765 or 777 Lynn Street. From Route 28 south, turn LEFT onto OLD OX RD/VA-606 E. or RIGHT on Old Ox coming NORTH on 28
Continue to follow VA-606 E. 2.0 miles
Turn LEFT onto ELDEN ST/VA-228. 0.5 miles
Turn LEFT onto STATION ST. <0.1 miles
Turn LEFT onto LYNN ST. <0.1 miles
The Commonwealth Transportation Board will consider the 25-cent toll increase on the Dulles Toll Road at its Feb. 17 meeting at the VDOT Central Office Auditorium at 1221 E. Broad St., Richmond. Tolls would total 50 cents on ramps and 75 cents at the toll plaza. Revenues from the proposed increase would be dedicated to help fund Virginia’s 25 percent share of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, WHICH WILL NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL 2011 AT THE EARLIEST.
OTHER HEARING POSSIBILITIES:
3 p.m., Feb. 16, at the VDOT Central Office Auditorium at 1221 E. Broad St., Richmond
3 p.m., Feb. 16, at the VDOT District Office at 14685 Avion Parkway, Chantilly (location to participate by videoconference)
9 a.m., Feb. 17, prior to the CTB meeting at the VDOT Central Office Auditorium at 1221 E. Broad St., Richmond

We will unveil our web site and campaign against the Toll increase tomorrow.* Former Fairfax Supervisor Chairs Audrey Moore and Jack Herrity, along with the National Taxpayers Union, Virginia Club for Growth and LOWER are joining forces to stop this bad tax increase from occurring.

If you can help me distribute flyers to get people to attend these hearings, please email me back.
--
Thank you.

Ken Reid
for
Notollincrease.com
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 779-8777 FAX: (703) 779-2508



--
Thank you.

Ken Reid
Editor & Publisher
Washington Information Source Co.
ExpertBriefings.com
208 South King Street, Suite 303
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 779-8777 FAX: (703) 779-2508
E-mail: Kreid@FDAINFO.COM
www.FDAINFO.com www.ExpertBriefings.com

[BTrost]

I just noticed this on the loudoun.gov website - a local opportunity for public comment.

Public Meeting Scheduled on Proposed Dulles Toll Road Fee Hike
On behalf of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Vice-Chairman Bruce Tulloch has requested that Kate Hanley, the Northern Virginia Representative to the Commonwealth Transportation Board, be available to answer questions and hear public comment regarding a proposed toll increase on the Dulles Toll Road. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m., Friday, February 11, 2005, in the Board Room of the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison St., S.E., Leesburg, Virginia.

The proposed increase would raise tolls to 75 cents at the main toll plaza and to 50 cents at entrance and exit ramps.

Citizens are encouraged to voice their views, and to ask any questions they might have about the proposed increase. Other members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board might be in attendance.

For questions concerning this meeting, contact the office of Vice-Chairman Bruce Tulloch, 703-777-0204.

# # #

[Skins fan]

You might want to think about the fact that all the people who
would be taking Metro would be off the highway. Isn't that a
benefit to those of us who drive? I think its worth an extra
25¢ if it would include rail to Ashburn. Metro is also not only
for travelling to work. It would be nice to catch to MCI center,
RFK Stadium or even Fed Ex Field. I think there are significant
benefits to having Metro out here even if only 10% of 15% of
the population use it.

Obviously there will be user fees on an extended Metro but
they don't get it built.

The privatization of roads is a conservative idea that I don't
agree with. The Greedway is a prime example of how it can cost
more privatized than when taxpayer funded.

skins fan

quote:Originally posted by beahmer

Boomer - I totally agree with you - why should those of us that choose to drive have to pay for Metro. BTW - Metro can't get me to my work anyways - not without 2 connections on a bus making my commute longer than traveling by car.

I can guarantee the state would not be adding tolls if they didnt already exist. This is an easy way for them to raise money and not affect everyone in the corridor. At least if they dinged everyone with some sort of additional "tax" I would feel better that everyone was paying not just commuters.

Some alternate transportation options might be nice but let those that choose to ride pay for the service whatever it costs - and by the way Metro to Ashburn - Maybe by 2015!!

[volvo_nut]

Route 66 has the metro and 66 is still grid locked, what will make the TollRoad any different?? northern VA is growing too fast and the infrastructure is lagging behind.

How much revenue from the TollRoad is going to pay upkeep? is the rest of the money (profit) going to help build roads in Roanoke or South Hill, VA?
How can we ensure that every cent that we will be forced to pay stays in Northern VA and is marked for metro expansion or local road improvements?

[fidothedog]

From the www.notollsincrease.com website (no affiliation to me):

Dulles Toll Study considers $3 tolls
February 14, 2005
Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance
Report quietly released eight days before hearing

Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance president, Arthur G. Purves, reported today that a 99-page study on options for toll hikes on the Dulles Toll Road provides revenue estimates for several toll-hike strategies, including tolls up to $3 ($2 at the main toll plaza and $1 at exit ramps).

A pdf file of the study can be downloaded from the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance home page, www.fcta.org. Due to graphics included in the study, the 99-page report is a large document (23 Mb), and takes several minutes to download. The toll options are on pages 5-14 through 5-16 (pages 85-87 of the pdf file).

The Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) is scheduled to vote on a toll increase next Thursday, February 17.

The February 2nd Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) press release announcing the vote did not initially mention the study and did not mention that additional toll increases were being considered.

The currently-proposed increase to 75 cents at the main toll plaza and 50 cents on the exit ramps applies to building rail out to Reston. Further toll increases are being considered for completing construction to Loudoun County.

VDOT did not post the Dulles Toll Study until after Mr. Purves asked to see it. It was posted on February 8, only nine days before the CTB vote and eight days before the CTB's public hearing on the toll hike. It was posted six days after the VDOT press release announcing the toll hike.

The toll increases are being considered even though Fairfax County real estate taxes have increased $1600 in the last five years, state taxes were increased $1.4 billion last year, and state tax collections are experiencing an additional surplus of $1.2 billion. None of last year's $1.4 billion state tax hike was allocated to transportation.

The toll increases are expected to raise about $300 million over five years to pay for the state's share of Dulles rail construction to Reston.

Another Fairfax County real estate tax hike is expected later this month.

[fidothedog]

We are all talking about the $.25 addition to the current toll. What about the existin $.85 toll (Rt 28 plus Tysons toll). Where does all this $$ go to? Based on a couple of websites, I was able to find the following: "Currently the Dulles Toll Road is generating $42 million in revenues and paying out $13 in operating and maintenance expenses and $12 million in debt service, leaving an annual surplus of $17 million". Another site states "The Toll Road was financed by the taxpayers of Virginia, which promised to lift full-time tolls once the road is paid off (2015). "

According to an article on this site: http://www.kenplum.com/sep04cnx.html all of the surplus must be kept "here" under state law. I am not sure what here means? Does it mean that it can be used for local road improvements (Rt 28 connectors) or toll road improvements. I am fine with both...not fine with using the $$ for improvements outside the Dulles corridor.

If the state has the postion that all major road projects need to be paid by the local drivers then why no toll on the new Wilson Bridge, improvements to Route 66 or the 495/95 interchange? The state cannot continue to target our area with increasing tolls and not do likewise to other areas in the state.

I am fine with paying a toll to use a road if all of the $$ from that toll go for maintenance and improving the road.

As far as the Greenway is concerned, I see the Greenway as the price of admission to this great community. I do not see justification to the increases in tolls on the road (up to $3 very shortly from $1.50 last year) but I do have alternative routes that are free which I can take (cost benefit analysis).

I do see the Toll Road (not Greenway) as the only practicable route from Broadlands to the Tysons/DC area.

Fido

[beahmer]

Only a few more hours to voice your opinions.
================================================== ===============================================

Hi:

Just wanted to formally thank you for registering your opposition to the Dulles Rail toll increase.

We have just ONE more chance to make a difference before the estimated 3 p.m. vote TODAY by Gov. Warner's hand-picked Commonwealth Transportation Board.** Only Gov. Warner can turn this around.*
Please call him at (804) 786-2211* press 4 or ext. 2335
and urge him to use a portion of the state's $1.2 billion surplus for Dulles Rail, NOT toll money.
and, please, do it now.
Thank you.

Ken Reid
For
Notollincrease.com
208 South King Street, Suite 303
Leesburg, VA 20175
(703) 779-8777
Kreid@Dullesfreeway.org

[BTrost]

Looks like we'll all need more $$$ starting 5/22 -


25 Cent Increase OK'd for Dulles Toll Road
Updated: Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005 - 11:34 AM

WASHINGTON - Start saving your quarters, the tolls are going up on the Dulles Toll Road.
The toll increases from 50 cents to 75 cents at the main gate and from 25 cents to 50 cents at the entrance and exit ramps.

At the Sully Road/Greenway ramps, the toll will go from 35 cents to 50 cents.

The extra money will help pay for a proposed $1.5 billion extension of Metrorail from near the East Falls Church station through Tysons Corner to Wiehle Avenue in Reston.

The funding also will help oay for the next phase of Metro's extension, which will take the subway 12 more miles from Wiehle Avenue through Dulles International Airport to Route 772 in Loudoun County.

The increase, the first on the 12-mile road since it opened in 1984, goes into effect May 22. It will apply to all vehicles, whether they are paying cash or using Smart Tag or E-ZPass.

"The region clearly needs this project. Major roadways in the corridor are nearing gridlock," said Whittington Clement, chairman of the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board, in a news release.

The vote by the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board Thursday was unanimous.