DULLES CORRIDOR RAPID TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT FEASIBILITY REPORT

In response to a congressional mandate to examine the feasibility of a rail line in the Dulles Corridor, this study developed an innovative public/private partnership approach minimizing the risks and costs to the local governments and resulting in a project that would be feasible for users and others benefitting from the system to finance it. A private firm, operating under an agreement with local governments, could construct and operate the system for a net present value of $119 million, while a local public project would require $181 million. While no recommendations are made regarding the source of funding required, the non-user beneficiaries are identified and possible mechanisms for assessing them for the service are discussed. New user fees or taxes would require a variety of legislative actions. A procurement approach was also developed for the private sector. This approach would reduce costs through competition while contractually transferring the risks of cost overruns and performance to the private sector. While it was determined a rail line is feasible using the approach developed, this does not constitute a Federal endorsement of the line. The decision to pursue the rail alternative is a local decision based on local priorities and interests.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared in association with James J. Lowrey & Company, Inc., Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade & Douglas, Inc., Charles River Associates, Baskin & Steingut and Public Financial Management, Inc., with assistance of The Dulles Airport Access Task Force.
• Corporate Authors:

  Rice Center

  Joint Center for Urban Mobility Research
  Houston, TX  United States  77046

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  Office of Budget and Policy, 400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1985-10

Media Info

• Pagination: v.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airport access; Feasibility analysis; Fees; Financing; Light rail transit; Local government; Private enterprise; Taxation; User charges
• Geographic Terms: Washington (District of Columbia)
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Finance; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00457376
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1987 12:00AM