Beltway Toll Plan May Need Va. Funds

Fluor and its partner, Transurban Inc., have a separate plan to create 55 miles of toll lanes on I-95 and I-395 between the 14th Street bridge and Spotsylvania County, but the estimated completion date has been pushed back three years, to 2014. Local officials have expressed concern that the project could be delayed further or not be built at all.

Virginia officials also hope to build toll lanes on other major commuter routes, including the Dulles Toll Road and Interstate 66.

Last week, Maryland officials asked the private sector for ideas on creating express toll lanes along Interstate 270 and sections of the Beltway. They are also exploring similar projects on I-95 and around Baltimore.

The lanes in Virginia would be free for vehicles with three or more people; other drivers would pay a toll that would increase with traffic volume. Backers of the plans say "congestion pricing" would virtually guarantee that the lanes won't become congested.

Ronald F. Kirby, transportation planning director for the Washington Council of Governments, said the inclusion of state money would be a major change in the Beltway project and would likely require additional hearings and action by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, as required by federal law. The region's transportation plan currently describes the project as entirely privately financed.

"This is a big change, and people are going to want to comment on it," Kirby said.

State and private officials say projected construction costs have increased by 30 percent since the project was proposed.

"Just because this is a public-private project doesn't mean they are exempted from the normal economic rules," said Malcolm T. Kerley, chief engineer for the Virginia Department of Transportation.

In addition to requiring public dollars, Transurban officials say, the scope of the project could shrink, with some interchanges being phased in later.

Ken Daly, vice president of Transurban, said that the project remains viable but that hard decisions have to be made. "It was an incredibly good project when we first proposed it," Daly said. "Time and events have moved against it."

Homer also said the state is committed to the I-95 HOT lane project. Virginia and company officials say the completion date has been pushed back because of negotiating delays and environmental studies. Under the original schedule, the state and contractors were to sign a comprehensive agreement by February. Both sides are still trying to come to terms on an interim agreement.

The problems with the two projects have made state officials antsy.

"What I'd like to see is to get some dirt moved," Kerley said.