Toll Increases On Dulles Greenway Rejected By State Corporation Commission

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Drivers won't be charge higher tolls on the Dulles Greenway toll road after action by a state authority.

On Wednesday, the State Corporation Commission rejected a request from toll road operator Toll Road Investors Partnership II to increase the Dulles Greenway toll rates. The proposal would have hiked tolls from $5.80 to $8.10 during peak hours and $5.25 to $6.40 during off-peak hours.

The commission agreed with the recommendation by senior hearing examiner Michael Thomas, who concluded the proposed toll increases would "discourage use of the Greenway" and are not reasonable to toll road users for the benefits received. In addition, the commission rejected the toll road operator's argument that Virginia regulations governing the tolls were unconstitutional and declined alternative procedures to streamline future toll rate increases. However, the commission encouraged Toll Road Investors Partnership II to start a stakeholder working group on the matter of deciding future toll rate increases.

Loudoun County officials were supportive of the rejected toll increase.

"It is gratifying that the State Corporation Commission (SCC) confirmed what we all know to be true: the last thing the Dulles Greenway needs is even higher tolls," said Dulles District Supervisor Matt Letourneau, who chairs the Board of Supervisors' Finance, Government Operations and Economic Development Committee. "Over the last several years, the county has successfully executed a strategy to both clarify the law and fight the Greenway's constant attempts to raise tolls—either through the SCC process or by legislative action. I'm hopeful that the Greenway will finally get the message, but if not we will not let up."

Loudoun County government formally opposed the toll rate increase and encouraged residents to provide testimony. Some Loudoun County officials participated in the State Corporation Commission's public hearing along with residents.

"We are pleased with this decision by the SCC, since a toll rate increase of this magnitude would have put a heavy economic burden on Loudoun County motorists," said Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall. "I’m thankful to the more than 900 citizens who participated in this process and allowed the SCC to hear firsthand how helpful it is to them that tolls do not increase."

Dulles Greenway is a 14-mile toll road between Dulles International Airport and Leesburg. During the hearing process, representatives for the Dulles Greenway shared benefits the toll road has provided, including reliable commutes, a well maintained road, safety with minimal crashes and economic development. However, they said toll road usage has been below expectations, resulting in not enough revenues to pay debt obligations. The company expected toll increases to allow Dulles Greenway to pay down debt but not necessarily break even.

The county government's stance said a toll rate increase would produce more congestion on public roads and force the county to expand more roads at public expense. The county provided the State Corporation Commission with an analysis showing that increased revenue per driver from a higher toll rate would be offset by more drivers avoiding the Dulles Greenway because of higher prices.