Dulles Rail project may be in jeopardy, again, WTOP, February 22, 2012

Hank Silverberg, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - Funding for one of the region's biggest transportation projects is at risk again over debate regarding the use of labor unions.

A bill that has passed the Virginia General Assembly prohibits state funding for projects mandating or giving preferential treatment to contractors who use union labor. That could prevent any state money from being used in the project.

That stance is at odds with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is building the rail extension and has already offered contractors a 10 percent bonus for using union labor.

"I would strongly urge them to reconsider that decision," said Delegate Tim Hugo, R-Fairfax, who sponsored the bill. "If they do that, it's going to kill the project."

Click here for the rest of this WTOP report.  

The first phase of the Dulles Rail Project is under construction in Tysons Corner, along Route 7. (WTOP/Colleen Kelleher)

There are a large number of issues jeopardizing the construction of Phase 2 of the Silver Line, and this is one MWAA could easily resolve if it so chose.  Maybe MWAA sees their "bonus" plan as a negotiating ploy to win more money from Richmond than the Governor has offered, $150 million. 

Other issues are not so easy to overcome, such as the non-starter financial plan to have Dulles Toll Road users pay for 75% of the cost of constructing Phase 2.