DRAFT RA Letter to MWAA Chairman Snelling on Completing Dulles Metro Phase 2 Expeditiously

The following is the draft text of a letter that will be considered by the RA Board of Directors at its meeting TONIGHT, Thursday, July 14, at 7PM, RA headquarters. 

Mr. Charles Snelling, Chairman

Board of Directors

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

1 Aviation Circle

Washington, DC  20001

July 15, 2011

Dear Mr. Snelling:

On behalf of the Reston Association (RA) and the more than 58,000 residents who are represented by the Association in the Reston community, I once again write to the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) to express RA’s continuing support for Rail to Dulles, and, more specifically, Phase 2. 

This major public works project for the Northern Virginia Region has been in discussion and on the proverbial “drawing boards” for many years.  We in Reston are looking forward to the completion of Phase 1 and are diligently planning for the many associated benefits to the community.  However, as you and other members of the MWAA Board are fully aware, Rail to Dulles will only be completed once the terminus is at Route 772 in Loudoun County is constructed.         

Reston Association believes it to be absolutely vital to the Northern Virginia Region, specifically, and, more broadly, the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area that Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Rail to Dulles be constructed and operable within the presently advertised time frames, Winter 2013 and Winter 2017, respectively.  Additionally, the community’s support and commitment to Rail to Dulles is as strong as ever; however, completion of the project should not be at any cost. 

As such, we respectfully request that the MWAA Board focus its efforts and attention on the completion of Rail to Dulles, more specifically, Phase 2, and do it as expeditiously and economically as possible.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this request. Please contact me at 703-476-9181 or via email at kathleendriscollmckee@gmail.com, if you have questions, comments or would like to further discuss this request. 

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of the Reston Association,

Kathleen Driscoll McKee

President

cc:        The Honorable Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Secretary

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Reston Association Transportation Advisory Committee