Federal transportation officials have opened up $159 million for early work on the Dulles Rail project, allowing managers to commit part of a critical infusion of federal funding to clearing the path of the Metro extension.

While the federal government has not made a determination on whether the 11.6-mile track will receive the full $900 million it needs to move forward, the official notice of “final design” approval Monday evening releases a key pool of money for utility work, engineering and property acquisition. The money already had been set aside by Congress.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, or MWAA, the agency managing the project on behalf of the state, has spent months shifting gas lines on Route 7 in Tysons Corner and is preparing to relocate power and telecommunications lines along the highway.

Dulles Rail will require the airports authority to acquire about 10 acres, much of which sits in Tysons, said project spokeswoman Marcia McAllister. She said the bulk of that property is on land that was given to Fairfax County during rezonings or is owned by the state or MWAA.

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The agency has been in talks with Merchants Tire for years to secure a small parcel that will serve as the entrance to the “Tysons Central 7” station near the intersection of Route 123, she said.

The total cost of acquiring property for the project won’t be known until appraisals and negotiations with landowners are complete, McAllister said.

None of the $159 million can be used to begin construction on the project, according to a Monday letter from Federal Transit Administrator James Simpson to the airports authority. Simpson cautioned that the project “continues to face significant risks and uncertainties” in the path for full funding.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said earlier this month that Virginia, Maryland and the District must establish a plan to boost Metro’s funding and establish a $200 million reserve, among other hurdles to qualify for the money.

wflook@dcexaminer.com