Private Investors May Save D.C.'s Dying Airport-Rail Link

After the federal government pulled its recommendation for funding a rail extension that would connect the Washington D.C.-area to Dulles International Airport, private investors are looking to get in the ring and save the plan.

1 minute read

January 28, 2008, 2:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg


"State officials said several equity groups have expressed interest in investing in a rail since Thursday, when U.S. transportation officials declared the project unfit for federal funding. The $5 billion project had been counting on a $900 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration."

"Private purchase of the rail line or the Dulles Toll Road to fund the extension would attract strong opposition from those who believe such public infrastructure is far too valuable to hand over to for-profit corporations. But with the outlook for keeping the rail project alive bleak, regional business and political leaders who are adamant that the rail line must not die are increasingly of the mind that private partnership must be considered."

Monday, January 28, 2008 in The Washington Post

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