There has been a concerted effort by Davis, Wolf, & Moran to distort what the FTA said about federal funding for the Dulles Metrorail extension. They tried to say that switching to a tunnel would jeopardize federal funding. There has also been a concerted effort to squeeze Kaine into rejecting the tunnel option, thus giving a no-bid contract to Bechtel for at least $200 million more. DW&M's reinterpretations of the FTA's previous comments were clearly belied by a recent monumental FTA clarification:
"This is a local decision. We're neutral," said Federal Transit Administrator James S. Simpson. "If the governor wishes to reexamine it, he's free to do that."
But even before that article from the WaPo today, were the following contrasting, disingenuous statements: FTA: "As the project sponsor, the Commonwealth is free to decide which design option it wishes to pursue." WaPo about the congressmen: "one of the lawmakers called [the FTA's response, to a query whether a tunnel instead an elevated railway could be used,] a definitive no."
This kind of campaign donation politics exhibited by Davis, Wolf, and Moran is despicable and representative of what's wrong with American politics.
More from the new WaPo article:
Davis, who last summer was one of the strongest voices warning about the risks of a tunnel, said last night that the federal officials' statements raised the possibility that Kaine could still switch plans, if he acted quickly. Davis added that there is still the question of whether a tunnel would cost too much, but he noted that recent estimates by companies proposing a tunnel have placed its cost below the latest estimates for an elevated line."It looks like the timing issue could be overcome. It looks like the governor's got six more weeks, doesn't it, to [change plans] and still be eligible for funding," he said. "He's been handed another hot potato. If you move quickly and things go right, you could in theory meet the timeline."
Even $25K Davis is thawing! We're starting to turn the tide!
A spokesman for Wolf said that the decision remains with Kaine.
So Wolf has wisely refrained from taking further action either way. He also refers to the fact that the authority and decision do lie with Kaine, as they have all along.
DW&M were very wrong to pressure Kaine because of campaign contributions, but the wrong decision still lies with Kaine giving in to that pressure. Unfortunately, Kaine still seems resistant to making the right choice for Virginia:
Kaine last week reiterated his decision against a tunnel, citing concerns about losing federal funding. Yesterday, his office referred questions to the state Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Its director, Matthew O. Tucker, said that even if there is time to change plans and qualify for federal funding, other downsides remain, including potentially higher costs of a tunnel and the delay of waiting another year to begin construction. As it stands, the 23-mile extension from West Falls Church is to begin construction in a year and reach Tysons Corner in 2012 and Dulles in 2015."We've made a decision about how to build the project," Tucker said. "When folks talk about the tunnel, what they're talking about is additional planning and delay."
Studies and FTA statements have disproven the FUD coming from Kaine's office:
I am baffled with Kaine's continued resistance to a tunnel. We must keep up this effort and pressure to make sure Kaine makes the right decision for Virginia.
As Lowell said this afternoon in an email to me:
I was just in Tysons Corner this morning, and MAN does that place need help! The fact is, though, an elevated rail line is NOT the answer.
How anyone - conservative, liberal, Communist, whatever - could not see this is totally beyond me.
If you want to help, write Kaine a letter or email (and other officials), vote in this WaPo online poll (and correct some of the ignorant comments made), sign the TysonsTunnel.org petition, and sign up for email updates from TysonsTunnel.org (middlish-bottom of page on right side).
Pierce R. Homer P.O. Box 1475 (804) 786.8032
Secretary ot Transporrarion Richmond, Virginia 23218
Fax: (804) 786-6683
TTY: (800) 828-1120
February 6. 2007
Dear Mr. Koerner:
Governor Kaine has asked me to thank you for and respond to your recent correspondence regarding the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.
Ihe decision to pursue an aerial structure for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project v as difficult but necessary in order to preserve $900 million in anticipated frderal funding for this project. This critical federal funding is derived from a highly competitive, cost-benefit driven proram and vill continue to he at risk until a Full Funding Grant Agreement from the Federal transit Administration is secured. In order to successfully compete for this blinding, this project must advance promptly.
Ihe Department of Rail and Public Iransportation is presently in negotiation with Dulles Iransit Partners. To achieve price competitiveness, the Commonwealth and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will use a number of tools including: subcontracting. pricing analysis, and an independent cost estimate. these techniques have been used on a variety of design-build projects throughout the industry and across the Commonwealth. If terms and conditions and a final price cannot he agreed upon, other competing proposals will be solicited.
The final scope of this project from West Falls Church to Loudoun County has been determined by the Federal Transit Administration in a Record of Decision. This final scope includes the aerial alignment through much of Tysons Corner and has been formally approved by the Common wealth Transportation Board. Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
I hope this information is helpful. Thank you again for writing Governor Kaine.
Sincerely.
Pierce R. Homer
This final scope includes the aerial alignment through much of Tysons Corner and has been formally approved by the Common wealth Transportation Board. Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - Fairfax County supervisors are backing a plan to run a proposed Metrorail extension underground through Tysons Corner, although Virginia officials are moving closer to approving a contract for an aboveground route.The board has voted unanimously to urge the state and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to rebid the job and reconsider a tunnel for Tysons.
(emphases added)
Ihe decision to pursue an aerial structure for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project v as difficult but necessary in order to preserve $900 million in anticipated frderal funding for this project.
Not true. The FTA said:
This is a local decision. We're neutral. If the governor wishes to reexamine it, he's free to do that.
--
This critical federal funding is derived from a highly competitive, cost-benefit driven proram
If that is the case, there's absolutely no doubt we should go with the tunnel! There's no comparison between a no-bid, political cronyism contract that's $200 million more expensive and an openly bid contract that's $200 million less! If the FTA grant relies upon being "highly competitive, cost-benefit driven", we'd better switch to the tunnel immediately or risk losing FTA funding altogether! Remember, FTA funding is not yet locked in either way.
Looking on the bright side, judging by the multiplicity of spelling and grammar mistakes, this was probably a personal reply you received, not a form letter.
Anyone who disagrees with the Sec.of Trans. could write him a letter or send an email. It would be interesting to hear what he says as you pick apart his letter.