Failed Va. transportation plan will have ripple effect

July 10, 2008 - 1:53pm

Hank Silverberg, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - The Virginia General Assembly's failure to reach a decision on a transportation package will impact both sides of the Potomac River.

The death of the transportation plan means Virginia won't be able to allocate their portion of funding for Metro, which could translate into a possible loss of federal money for the regional transit system.

"It means we don't have the $50 million that would match money from Maryland and the District of Columbia and the $150 million from the federal government and the deal we've been working on for several years," Arlington Metro Board member Chris Zimmerman says.

The lack of funding will also affect Metro's day-to-day operations.

"Potentially, it means we don't have money to replace 300 rail cars that are going to expire in the next few years, among many other things," Zimmerman says.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has indicated that he might be able to find the $50 million elsewhere.

Federal regulators have noted the lack of such money as one of the reasons they question the financing of the Dulles rail project.

Hank Silverberg, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - The Virginia General Assembly's failure to reach a decision on a transportation package will impact both sides of the Potomac River.

The lack of funding will also affect Metro's day-to-day operations.

"Potentially, it means we don't have money to replace 300 rail cars that are going to expire in the next few years, among many other things," Zimmerman says.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has indicated that he might be able to find the $50 million elsewhere.

Federal regulators have noted the lack of such money as one of the reasons they question the financing of the Dulles rail project.

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