DC Airport Authority to Takeover Toll Road

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has agreed to a 50-year deal to operate the roadway as a source of funding for the Dulles rail project. A final agreement with state officials is scheduled to be signed next week.

Officials with the airports authority wanted to take over the roadway because they were concerned that 23-mile, $4 billion Metro extension to Dulles Airport will be delayed or not built at all.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will likely continue to operate the road until next fall, when the authority takes over daily operations.

Tolls currently range from 50 cents to 75 cents. Authority officials say there will be an increase to pay for about half of the rail extension. The amount of the toll hike will be decided after new cost estimates on the rail project are completed next year.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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