Politics & Government

VA Senate Finance Committee Seeking Another $300M for Dulles Rail

The Virginia Senate Finance Committee approved an additional $300 million in funding for Phase 2 of the Dulles Metrorail Project. It needs the approval of the House of Delegates and Gov. McDonnell.

The Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved a Senate budget that includes an amendment that would provide an additional $300 million in state funding for Phase 2 of the Dulles Metrorail Project. 

The amendment was offered by Senators Janet Howell (D-32) and Mark Herring (D-33). The $300 million would be in addition to the $150 million the state already committed to the project, bringing the total contribution from the Commonwealth to $450 million. The funding would help keep tolls lower on the Dulles Toll Road.  

“This is great news for Northern Virginia,” Howell said in a press release. “We believed all along the state needed to step up and make a major contribution toward the completion of Phase 2. The original Senate budget, which we opposed, was completely silent on funding for this project, which is of local, state and national significance.”
 
“The previous budget proposal that we rejected shortchanged Northern Virginia,” Herring said in the release. “Through our persistent efforts, we were able to secure these critical funds in the Senate budget, which will result in real relief for the users of the Dulles Toll Road and boost momentum for the construction of Phase 2 of the planned Metrorail extension.”
 
“It is our hope that the Governor and our colleagues in the House of Delegates will agree to support this needed funding for our region.”

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