(AP)
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, right, announces that the Washington region’s airports authority will finance a new transit rail system to Dulles International Airport, with proceeds from the existing Dulles Toll Road, during a news conference in Richmond, Va., on Monday. Standing with Kaine, from left are, Sen. John Warner, R-Va.; Rep. Tom Davis; and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board chair Mame Reiley.

David Francis, The Examiner
2006-06-17 09:00:00.0
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The House of Representatives passed a fiscal 2007 transportation bill this week containing an additional $5 million for the Dulles rail project and an additional $2 million for the expansion of Interstate 66.

More than $215 million in federal funding has now been secured for the Dulles Metro expansion project, which envisions a Metro train running to Dulles Airport. Federal money is expected to pay for half of the project, which will cost an estimated $4 billion, with the state and Fairfax County picking up the remainder.

The additional federal money for the I-66 expansion brings the federal contribution to that project to $32 million. The expansion was undertaken to alleviate traffic problems on the road caused by population increases.

The Senate has yet to approve a transportation spending bill. Once both chambers have approved bills, lawmakers will meet in conference committee to hash out the final transportation spending numbers. The numbers in the House bill could change during this process.

Of all the earmarks affecting Northern Virginia, the largest was $61 million for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to buy more Metro cars.

“Many new Metro doors will be opening with the funding in this bill,” said Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va.

In addition, the bill contains language instructing the Federal Highway Administration and the National Park Service to study whether expansion of the George Washington Parkway near the Key Bridge is possible.

Also included in the spending bill is $2 million for improvements to the 14th Street Bridge to help alleviate rush-hour traffic problems, $250,000 for the Four Mile Run pedestrian and bike trail between Alexandria and Arlington, and $200,000 for the Georgetown-Rosslyn Connector bus service.

Money for transportation projects in Fairfax County is also included in the bill. Funds for planning and design of an interchange between Fair Lakes Boulevard and Monument Drive total $1.5 million. Also included is $500,000 for the widening of Route 50 from Route 28.

» $150,000 is included for the Arlington Housing Corporation to build a new preschool at Berkeley Apartment in Arlington.

» Fairfax County REX bus service gets $250,000 to expand service.

dfrancis@dcexaminer.com