Proposed Toll Rate Adjustment.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced it is hosting three public hearings to inform and solicit comments from the community about proposed toll rate increases along the Dulles Toll Road. These rate increases, which will be voted on by the Airports Authority Board of Directors later in 2018, would take effect in 2019 and support the construction of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Silver Line Extension Project and improvements along the Dulles Toll Road.
The first public hearings occurred Wednesday, July 11, at Spring Hill Elementary School in McLean and Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at South Lakes High School in Reston.
The next hearing will be held Thursday, July 19. 5 -8 p.m. at Stone Bridge High School in the School Cafeteria located at 43100 Hay Road, Ashburn.
There will be informational exhibits related to the Dulles Toll Road and planned improvements that may be made, the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Silver Line Extension Project, the revenue projections associated with the proposed toll rate increases and how this additional revenue will be spent. Representatives from the Airports Authority will be present to discuss these items.
The public comment period on the proposed toll rate increases will run from July 2 through Aug. 3, 2018.
An “online open house” is available at http://www.dullestollroad.com/toll/toll-setting-process throughout the comment period. It contains an explanation of the informational exhibits and a comment form.
Comments may also be submitted at the public hearings, on the website, via email to dtrcomments@hntb.com or mailed during the comment period to MWAA Public Comment Period, c/o HNTB, 2900 South Quincy Street, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22206.
The Authority is inviting comments on the following topics:
Whether the proposed increase of $1.25 in the cost of a typical Dulles Toll Road trip should be allocated as proposed between the ramp and mainline toll plazas (i.e., a 50-cent increase at the ramp plazas and a 75-cent increase at the mainline plaza) or should be allocated in a different manner between the ramp and mainline plazas
Whether, at a future date to be determined, the Dulles Toll Road’s toll plaza lanes that allow customers to pay in cash should be converted to “E-ZPass only” (or open road tolling), similar to newer toll facilities
Whether, at a future date to be determined, credit cards should be accepted in certain Dulles Toll Road toll plaza lanes, similar to the Dulles Greenway and other toll facilities
Whether any other operational improvements should be made to the Dulles Toll Road.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority operates the U.S. Capital Region’s gateways to the nation and the world, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport, as well as the Dulles Airport Access Highway, the Dulles Toll Road and construction of the Silver Line project, a 23-mile extension of the Metrorail public transit system through northern Virginia. A record 46.6 million passengers passed through the two airports in 2017.