The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) board of directors voted today to eliminate its preference for Project Labor Agreements in the bidding for Phase 2 of the Rail-to-Dulles project, clearing the way for construction of the project estimated to cost $2.7 billion. Only a negative vote by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors can sidetrack it now.
“Today’s vote is a major turning point for the Dulles rail project,” said Airports Authority Chairman Michael A. Curto in an official statement. “This project is vital to the economic growth of this region and the Board is determined to do whatever is necessary to finish the project as quickly and cost effectively as possible”.
“Dropping the PLA preference was what we needed to do to move forward with this project and with our funding partners,” Thomas M. Davis III, MWAA vice chairman and chairman of the Dulles Corridor Committee, also in the prepared statement. “This has brought us all closer to recognizing that this project is important to the entire region and requires a team effort.”
Other reactions to the 11-to-1 vote:
“This vote was a huge victory not only for the 97.4 percent of Virginia’s construction workforce that chooses not to join a union and for the taxpayers and toll road users who will be financing this important project, but also for Loudoun County and all regional transportation and economic development initiatives,” said Patrick Dean, president of Associated Builders and Contractors, Virginia Chapter, in a prepared statement.
Tweeted Fairfax County Board Chair Sharon Bulova, a Democrat: “Glad to see the MWAA board drop the PLA incentive. I looked forward to the state upholding its commitment just as we have done.”
The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce tweeted, “We applaud” the decision. Loudoun Rail Now also took to Twitter to stated that it was “pleased” with the outcome.
Please note: The MWAA vote does not in any way discriminate against contractors using a union shop. There is a reasonable chance that Dulles Transit Partners, which constructed Phase 1 under a voluntary project labor agreement, could win the Phase 2 work as well. The board vote simply reversed a previously stated policy that would have given preference to bidders committing to PLAs over contracts using non-union labor.
While there still are concerns about the project — especially projected rates increases on the Dulles Toll Road — the PLA issue was the critical issue blocking the project. The McDonnell administration has no reason now not to contribute the $150 million it promised as part of a funding deal brokered by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. While Loudoun County still must approve its participation, I question that the toll issue is big enough to derail a project that nearly all of the powers-that-be in Northern Virginia want to see built. Personally, I still have major reservations, but I doubt Dulles Rail can be stopped now.
— JAB
Update: This response comes from Stewart Schwartz, executive director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth: “Now that Governor McDonnell has secured a political victory that removes his stated objection to helping to fund the Dulles Rail project, it’s time for the state to make a fairer contribution. Otherwise, the Governor is asking northern Virginians to shoulder far too much of the burden. $150 million is far too small a contribution, leaving Fairfax and Loudoun tax payers and Northern Virginia drivers shouldering 95 percent of the cost. The state should be contributing at least $500 million to Phase 2.”
