VIRGINIA BRIEFING

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

METRORAIL EXTENSION

Elevated-Line Foes Sue U.S.

Opponents of an elevated rail line through Tysons Corner have sued the U.S. Department of Transportation, contending that the agency violated federal law by failing to seriously consider the idea of placing the track underground.

The Tysons segment is part of the planned 23-mile Metrorail extension from Falls Church to Dulles International Airport, currently under review by DOT to determine whether it qualifies for federal funding.

Tysons Tunnel Inc., a McLean-based group of Tysons property owners, civic groups and homeowner associations, filed the suit Monday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria.

It was joined as a plaintiff by Ratner Cos., a firm at Route 7 and Spring Hill Road, adjacent to a portion of the proposed elevated line. Opponents of the aboveground line have said that it would hinder the development of Tysons into a mature urban area. The suit said Ratner would suffer from "visual and aesthetic blight" and "negative land use development patterns" created by the elevated tracks.

Tysons Tunnel and Ratner allege that DOT violated the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to carefully evaluate the proposal for a tunnel, especially in light of new "large bore" tunnel-building technology. They say the new techniques, which use machines that can build tunnels wide enough to accommodate two tracks, would have fewer adverse environmental impacts than an elevated line and reduce the cost.

They also contend that DOT violated its procedures by failing to provide for competitive bidding in awarding the design and construction contract to Dulles Transit Partners.

-- Bill Turque

arlington county

No Big Budget Cuts Required

Some cuts in services and a tax increase may be in the offing in Arlington, but the county's strong revenue base will insulate it from more drastic budget reductions facing other local governments, according to a county report released yesterday.

Real estate tax revenue is projected to rise 4.1 percent, according to the report, primarily because of the strength of the commercial tax base, which includes office buildings and shopping centers.

State and federal revenue, however, is not expected to keep pace with inflation.

Two areas are proving to be a problem for the county: keeping employee compensation, including health care, at current levels and maintaining county facilities.

County officials may need to consider a tax increase, according to the report, which said that providing all the services and funding at current levels "will present challenges" at the "existing tax rates."

If no changes are made, the county could face a $17.4 million shortfall in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

"Similar to last year, a budget that maintains all current services at current levels should not be assumed," the report said.

-- Kirstin Downey

FORT MONROE

D.C. Meeting on Preservation

The Army will hold a public meeting tomorrow in Northwest Washington to address issues regarding the preservation of historic properties at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Va.

Pentagon officials have recommended closing Fort Monroe as part of the federal base realignment and closure process. Under the National Historic Preservation Act, historic properties are precluded from federal actions. Fort Monroe is a National Historic Landmark and has been listed on the National Historic Register since 1966.

The 6 p.m. meeting is at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1785 Massachusetts Ave.

GOP PRIMARY

Loyalty Oath Will Be Required

Voters in Virginia's Feb. 12 Republican presidential primary will have to sign an oath swearing loyalty to the eventual GOP ticket. But there is no way to enforce it, because a voter's actions in a booth are secret.

The State Board of Elections has approved a state Republican Party request that all who apply for a GOP primary ballot vow in writing to vote for the Republican presidential nominee next fall.

Voters in Virginia do not register by party. Since the mid-1990s, the state's Republicans have fretted that Democrats might meddle in their primaries, which are open to all registered voters.

-- Associated Press