Loudoun County may back out of Dulles Rail Project

Hope this doesn't happen......


Loudoun County may back out of Dulles Rail Project


http://wtop.com/?nid=159&sid=2720245

 

I am really having a hard time supporting a Dulles to Ashburn extension. I am not sure I see a positive cost benefit.

I am all for rail into the airport.

 

+1

I can't imagine it would take less than one and a half hours into DC and cost less than $10 each way (not including parking). I really don't see the benefit.

 

I mean, really. Hasn't the proverbial train already left on this one?!! Come on already! There are a number of people in this area who will benefit from, and are looking forward to, being able to take metro into the city instead of having to sit in unbearable traffic in the mornings and evenings! TWO HOURS EACH WAY, on many days! I for one would love to see the numbers on what's actually been spent to get us to this point! I'm sure it hasn't been cheap. And to throw it all away now... well that would be a HUGE waste of money!!!! And if I were one of those builders counting on the metro coming out this way.... and the county pulled out.... wow. I can't even imagine....

::shaking head::

Enough already! Just build the damn line!

 

First of all, I didn't know it's going to cost so much to take this future ashburn metro.

Even if the cost is this high, I might prefer metro instead of sitting in the traffic for hours and stressing out. Metro ride will get you an hour of reading time in the morning and in the evening... It will be less stressful.

Dulles Metro was one of the highlighting points for me to move to Ashburn back in 2005..... and this was shattered within 2 years of moving by postponing the phase 2 from 2012 to 2014 or 2015. There are 1000's of people who would have thought the same and moved to Ashburn.

If we get this metro, I will probably drive during holiday season (DEC) and school summer holidays when traffic will be little less. Other times, I will take metro.

I hope dulles metro to Ashburn will not be cancelled....

 

Ditto!

 

I wish the BOS would reframe this and think of the worker pool you can BRING INTO Loudoun with the Ashburn extension. It's not just people leaving from Ashburn to DC; the increase in local business uptick from employees would be great for the retail tax base too. Sigh.

 

That is genius! I'm getting sick of Prius' with WV tags tailgating me on the Greenway.

 

Politics, really?

How have other areas of the country solved similar issues?
What are the alternatives to a metro line and is there a cost benefit?
Light rail or elevated express lanes?

 

The time for alternatives is unfortunately passed. The airport pushed and got their rail extenstion. Bus Rapid transit was something like 1/5 the cost and would already be operational if I remember the discussions. For anyone that thinks the airport cares (remember they are in charge) if the rail line passes Dulles youre fooling yourself.

Its too bad that politicians in place at the time of the originial discussion didnt push back harder. There is absolutely NO reason why the toll road commuters should be footing the bill for this project. No where else in the system was built with a such a targeted financing focus.

 

I agree; the metro might be a better option even if the cost is a little higher. Less cars on the road will also be better for those who decide the metro is not for them.

On a personal level it opens up a lot of job options for me. I know there are lots of folks in this area that already commute into DC for work. I've tried to stay out of the city (Pentagon is generally my limit) but with a Metro here I'd be open to jobs in the city.

I voted for Cliff who supported the Metro </sigh>

 

yess! Love the idea!

 

I'm pro Metro. It would be neat to take the kids into the city, especially via rail. Also, wouldn't our home values increase? That would be the super huge benefit for me.

 

People are being silly....having the metro is a long term strategic investment for this county and our community. People who think otherwise are focused far too much on today's finances vs. thinking out 10 years..... No metro will have a significant impact on this area and people shouldn't let short term politics, yet again, get in the way of smart long term decision making....

(brings me back to that foolish decision to reject a hospital in our community)

 

+1
You get my vote. And this is almost exactly what I wrote in an email to my BOS representative.
For the record, he did respond with a lengthy and well-written email. He stated that he wanted it to happen but had some concerns that needed to be addressed. The concerns are legit, but I have the utmost confidence he'll try hard to push this through if all parties cooperate.

 

Would it be possible to post the representative's reply? Newspaper articles I've read have not clearly relayed the BOS's concerns.

 

Ridiculous! What we need are real solutions to serious problems in this county.