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9/13/2006   For Immediate Release Print this page

Capito Says "No" to Dulles Greenway Toll Increases
Congresswoman says proposed increase would hurt residents in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle

WASHINGTON - Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today sent the following letter to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) opposing the proposed toll increases for the Dulles Greenway and asking to testify before the commission regarding the negative impact the proposal would have on residents in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle.  

Saying the proposed increase do nearly double the toll over the next five years would represent an undue burden on commuters who live in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, Rep. Capito urged the commission to reject the proposal.  

Capito wrote, "I have serious concerns with this proposal as many residents of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, my constituency, use the Dulles Greenway toll road to commute to their jobs in the Washington, D.C. metro area."

The Dulles Greenway is a 14-mile extension of the Dulles Toll Road, running from Leesburg, VA to Dulles International Airport. 

The Dulles Greenway is privately owned by the Toll Road Investors Partnership II, L.P., who is seeking approval for the toll increase proposal from the SCC.  The proposal calls for the current $2.70 toll to be increased to $4.00 on January 1, 2009, with additional increases to $4.50 on July 1, 2010 and $4.80 on January 1, 2012.

Rep. Capitos entire letter is below:

September 13, 2006

 Mr. Joel Peck
Clerk of the State Corporation Commission
Virginia State Corporation Commission
Document Control Center
PO Box 2118
Richmond , Virginia 23218

 Dear Mr. Peck:

           I am writing in response to the recent proposal for a toll increase on the Dulles Greenway that has been submitted to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) by the Toll Road Investors Partnership II, L.P. (TRIP II). I have serious concerns with this proposal as many residents of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, my constituency, use the Dulles Greenway toll road to commute to their jobs in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

           As the Washington , D.C. metro area continues to grow, the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia continues to welcome more and more new residents seeking the lower cost of living and family oriented environment that West Virginia offers. Many of these new West Virginians work in the Washington , D.C. metro area, many using the Dulles Greenway. An increase in the toll from $2.70 for weekday traffic to $4 on January 1, 2009, with additional increases to $4.50 on July 1, 2010, and $4.80 on January 1, 2012 will create an undue burden on commuters from my district.

           This is an issue that will affect a large population, not only in my district, but in the region and therefore it is appropriate that a public hearing be held so those in the affected communities have an opportunity to express their views. I would also like to request to testify at this hearing.

           In summary, I would like to urge the SCC to approach this proposal with extreme caution and reject an increase of this magnitude for the Dulles Greenway toll fare.

           Thank you in advance for your consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,

Shelley Moore Capito, M.C.

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