Loudoun Rail now

Tiger-
Since you seem to know about PLAs, can you explain exactly how they work, how they exclude non-union shops from bidding, and how much the PLA in Phase 1 has increased the cost?
I'm interested because Phase 1 was bid and won WITHOUT a PLA. The winning bidder, Bechtel, then entered into a PLA.
So, since no PLA was in place when bid and won, why would Bechtel enter into one if it would now cost, as you say, 10-13% more?

I'm finding a lot of the rheteric and talking points about PLAs don't seem to match the reality of Phase 1.

 

While I think our thoughts are in the same place I think it is less about forcing you to take Metro and more about the Feds/State/Counties not paying their fair share if the economic development is going to be what they say it is. ALL of Fairfax and Loudoun will benefit and that money will flow to the state and get spent in rural southwestern VA on some nice roads or some other crap.

I think what the fundemental issue is where is the Airports Share? $5 added to each passenger ticket going through the airport would generate a lot of money to pay for the line too. Why not do that? The real reason is the toll booths already existed. If they didnt - do you think anyone would have ever allowed them to be added?

 

Brian-
I could be wrong, but airline ticket taxes are approved by the Federal Government and used for aviation enhancements/costs. One could make the argument that improved transportation to Dulles is an airport improvement, but you would need to get the feds to approve a ticket tax, and I doubt that would happen.

 

Eric, These are good ideas, I hope you've communicated them to the BoS!

 

Also why are we the only ones in the area that have to pay tolls to finance the metro?

Why not put a toll on 66, 270, 295, 495, etc. to pay for the metro in those areas?

 

The tolls already exist - thats why. Could you imagine the backlash if Fairfax County said sure well extend Metro to Vienna - lets put a toll at 66 at123 to pay for it. They would all be looking for jobs!

Ive been trying to beat that into the States head but nobody cares - we dont matter.

 

You know, one easy way to increase revenue would be to put a toll on the free interior lanes to the airport. After all, if we're trying to encourage use of the Metro to the airport, make them pay to drive there.
Not sure what legal hoops need to be done to make that happen.