A $17 Straw Man

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Construction on the Dulles Metrorail Extension is now half completed.  Rail is actually being laid at the juncture with the Orange Line.  The broad outline of the financing plan for Phase 2 has been agreed upon at a price tag about a billion dollars less than was being proposed, and the details of the financing plan are now being worked out.

Despite the good news, the Dulles Metrorail Extension project continues to have its detractors who at every point of its planning and construction have predicted gloom and doom.  The most recent has been a $17 straw man on toll increases that has received publicity.  One person's speculation without research or known assumptions that round-trip tolls could climb to $17 about 30 years from now has become a political issue in one campaign.  As one who has been involved in the project from its very inception, I am not aware of anyone holding or running for public office who supports tolls of any such magnitude.  Everyone I know has been working actively to keep the tolls down to a small fraction of that number.

The one investment-grade Traffic and Revenue Study that was made of the project just two years ago projected that the tolls 32 years from now would be seven dollars at the main plaza which in present value is equivalent to today's buying power of $2.56, assuming three percent growth.  The tolls at the ramp during the same period would rise to $4.25, which is in present value equivalent to $1.56.  These are the only numbers that have any research and scientific projections applied to them.  An additional study is now underway to reconfirm the numbers, and its findings should be available before the end of the year.

Political leaders at all levels of government are working to keep toll increases to a reasonable level.  Senator Janet Howell and I wrote to Governor Bob McDonnell recently to request that the Commonwealth of Virginia provide more direct financial support to the project in order to minimize any toll increases.  As we wrote to the Governor, "Your recent actions to provide $395 million to buy down the tolls on an additional midtown tunnel between Norfolk and Portsmouth and also to provide up to $500 million to buy down tolls on Route 460 demonstrated your understanding of the need and the importance of state assistance to keep toll rates at a minimum."  We asked the Governor to work with us on increasing the $150 million he has already provided to further reduce tolls.

A debate around a wildly speculative toll amount does not resolve anything.  Everyone I know who is working on the project agrees that costs be controlled and that any toll increase be kept to a minimum.  Major steps have been taken to reduce costs.  Now that the straw man on tolls is knocked down we must work on increasing not only state but also federal support for the project.

Are You Registered to Vote in the Upcoming General Election?

The deadline to register to vote and be eligible to vote in the General Election on Tuesday, November 8, is Monday, October 17, 2011, at 4:30 p.m. You are eligible to register to vote if you satisfy all of these requirements:

* A citizen of the United States

* At least 18 years of age by the next General Election

* A resident of Virginia

Register to vote in person on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at:

Fairfax County Office of Elections

12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323

Fairfax, VA  22035-0081

By mail, pick up a Virginia Voter Registration Applicaiton at the following sites:

* Public libraries

* Department of Motor Vehicles

* Military recruitment offices

* Public assistance agency offices

* District Governmental Centers

* Board of Supervisors Offices

* Citizen Information Desk in the Fairfax County Government Center lobby

* Judicial Center Information desk

Mail the application to:

Fairfax County Office of Elections

12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323

Fairfax, VA  22035-0081

Please note:  According to law, first-time voters in Virginia who register by mail must vote in person (either on Election Day or absentee in person) unless they are:

* Students

* Overseas Citizens

* Citizens with a disability or illness

* Active duty members of the military or their dependents.

Questions?  Call 703.222.0776 or send an email to voting@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Frying Pan Introduces Barnyard Birthday Parties

Frying Pan Farm Park's unique amenities and universal popularity have long made the park in Herndon a desired locaiton for birthday parties.  Now, in addition to traditional picnic pavilion and party room rentals, the park offers packages to make party planning easier.  Options range from bags of farm-themed party favors to private wagon rides and supervised meet-and-greet sessions with the animals.  Frying Pan Farm Park is a working 1930s-era farm.  The park features a blacksmith shop, visitor center, playground, antique carousel, equestrian facilities, nature trail, and a permanent exhibit which interprets the history of dairy farming in Fairfax County.  Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon.  For more informaiton about party opportunities call 703.437.9101 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fpp/.

Park it if you can!

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) officially recognizes Thursday, September 22, as "Car Free Day" in our region.  Public transit, carpooling, teleworking, vanpooling, bicycling, and walking as replacements or supplements to single-occupancy automobile trips is always important, not just on September 22.  The TPB estimates that between now and 2030 the region will add 1.2 million people, 3.9 million daily vehicle trips, and will average 25 million more vehicle miles traveled per day.  Choosing to use alternative modes whenever possible is always helpful.  For more informaiton on Car Free Day, visit www.carfreemetrodc.com.