Latest Dulles Toll Road tax hike fueling renewed protest

Hank Silverberg, wtop.com

TYSONS, Va. – The latest toll hike on the Dulles Toll Road, which took effect New Year’s Day, may have rekindled the protest over how the new Silver Line is being financed.

The tolls went up 25 cents to $1.75 at the main toll plaza, and a larger hike is scheduled for the next two years.

NoTOLLincrease.org, a citizens group that has been fighting the tolls for months, is now circulating a petition asking the state to consider two other alternatives to the tolls.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which owns the toll road, is building the Silver Line extension to Dulles Airport. No Toll Increase wants Virginia to take back control of the Dulles Toll Road from MWAA, and to set up a HOT lanes system similar to what already exists on the commonwealth’s side of the Beltway.

The organization plans to bring the petition, bumper stickers and a rolling billboard known as the “Toll Ranger” to a variety of upcoming events to increase pressure.

The group says the tolls could be as high as $9 roundtrip by 2015 and as high as $13.50 by 2018, which is before phase two of the rail extension opens.

The first phase one is already under construction and could open late this year.

When completed, the Silver Line will extend Metro by 23 miles and add 11 new stations, including four in Tysons Corner.

Follow @hsilverbergwtop and

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up