Gray changes position on Dulles rail

July 6, 2011 - 11:42 am

 

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D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray is now supporting an above-ground rail to Dulles, reversing his previous position.

Gray says he’s asking his representatives on the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to change their vote.

Gray had previously said that the MWAA board members made a “very strong case” for the underground rail, according to news reports.

The MWAA has voted 9-4 to build an underground Metro station at Dulles International Airport. Some elected officials, including Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, have objected to the plan.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is trying to find a compromise to the rail debacle between the MWAA, which controls the project, and local elected officials, who allocate the money to pay for it.

The proposed compromise includes stripping several elements of the rail project from the airport authority's control, eliminate the underground station and cutting the price tag by $1 billon.

The $5 billion project is one of the most expensive construction projects in the country.

Mayor Gray says he has reversed his position on rail to Dulles station and has asked his reps on MWAA board to change their vote.less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyMark Segraves
SegravesWTOP

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