WASHINGTON (AP) _ Federal officials approved a plan on Wednesday to extend the Metrorail system to Dulles International Airport, nearly a year after cost concerns threatened to kill the $5.2 billion project.
The Federal Transit Administration's approval is a critical step toward obtaining the necessary $900 million in federal funding for the 23-mile extension in northern Virginia. The proposal still needs final approval from U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, the Office of Management and Budget and Congress.
"It's a very important milestone," said Tara Hamilton, a spokeswoman with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which will oversee construction. Hamilton said crews could break ground as early as the spring.
Still, Gordon Hickey, a spokesman for Va. Gov. Tim Kaine, said "it's too early to celebrate." He said that while the governor was pleased with the FTA's decision, Wednesday's approval was just another step in the process.
The future of Dulles rail looked grim in January when FTA Administrator James S. Simpson unexpectedly said the project did not meet federal cost-efficiency standards.
Virginia officials scrambled to bring the project in compliance, and in August federal officials authorized project managers to begin pre-construction work.
The Metrorail extension, dubbed the silver line, would be built in two phases. The first would run from Falls Church through Tysons Corner to Reston. The second phase would run from Reston to Dulles and Loudoun County.
Proponents say the project would ease congestion in northern Virginia and allow for a transit-oriented redevelopment of Tysons Corner, a major business and technology hub.
Opponents say the project is too expensive and that other options, like bus rapid transit, should be considered.
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