Tysons Tunnel Supporters Hold Rally

February 10, 2007 - 2:44pm

WASHINGTON -- They want a tunnel and they let government officials know about it.

Several hundred supporters of a plan to build a tunnel underneath Tysons Corner were out at the "Under Not Over" rally on Saturday afternoon in Vienna.

Virginia Congressman Jim Moran (D-Va.) was also at the event, expressing concerns that federal funding for the rail project to Dulles International Airport could disappear if the bidding process for construction through Tysons is reopened.

Tunnel supporters say their plan could be less expensive than the option to build the rail line above ground.

Earlier in the week, Federal Transit Administrator James Sampson said Virginia could have until May, 2008, to submit a tunnel plan and not risk losing federal funding.

The risk of losing the money was part of the reason Gov. Tim Kaine rejected the tunnel idea in the first place.

At the rally, Congressman Moran told tunnel supporters that Sampson misspoke and told Moran this during a private phone conversation.

Congressman Tom Davis (R-Va.) was also present at the rally and says key players involved with the Tysons project will meet with Sampson at the end of the month.

WASHINGTON -- They want a tunnel and they let government officials know about it.

Several hundred supporters of a plan to build a tunnel underneath Tysons Corner were out at the "Under Not Over" rally on Saturday afternoon in Vienna.

Tunnel supporters say their plan could be less expensive than the option to build the rail line above ground.

Earlier in the week, Federal Transit Administrator James Sampson said Virginia could have until May, 2008, to submit a tunnel plan and not risk losing federal funding.

The risk of losing the money was part of the reason Gov. Tim Kaine rejected the tunnel idea in the first place.

At the rally, Congressman Moran told tunnel supporters that Sampson misspoke and told Moran this during a private phone conversation.

Congressman Tom Davis (R-Va.) was also present at the rally and says key players involved with the Tysons project will meet with Sampson at the end of the month.

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