Hank Silverberg, wtop.com
RICHMOND – The price of tolls on the privately-owned Dulles Greenway is now the subject of a state investigation.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission, which regulates the private roadway, will look into Toll Road Investors Partnership, the operator of the 14-mile Dulles Greenway between Leesburg and Dulles Airport.
Delegate David Ramadan, R-Loudoun, who requested the probe, says the high tolls could be against the rules set up by the state.
“We believe right now that the toll road does discourage the use of the road,” he says. “That’s against the Virginia code.”
The SCC just approved a 10-cent toll hike bringing the base toll for cars, at peak travel times, up to $4.90.
The state probe will include public hearings that could come later in February.
There are two bills currently in the General Assembly which explore a possible state purchase of the Greenway. But Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton has told WTOP that the state may not have the money.
The roadway is assessed at about $180 million, but there is also $1.3 billion in debt.
Ramadan says he would like to see tolls based on distance versus a flat toll no matter how far you travel.
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