Thursday, February 21, 2008

Steven Pearlstein's Feb. 13 column ["Derailing Economic Growth," Business] provided interesting insights into the proposed extension of Metrorail through Tysons Corner and, ultimately, Dulles International Airport. He was right, for example, to note that the Federal Transit Administration's concerns with this project have been driven by a merit-based evaluation by the agency's professional staff.

However, his suggestion that Transportation Secretary Mary Peters prolonged the federal review process for the project to encourage the involvement of the private sector is not plausible. That is because Virginia announced in March 2006 that the extension would be managed by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and not a private partner. That was six months before Mary Peters became transportation secretary.

Chronological impossibilities aside, our primary difference with Mr. Pearlstein is economic. He thinks a project, regardless of the risk it poses to taxpayers or the minimal benefits it provides to commuters, should receive federal funds as long as it has the potential to encourage long-term economic development. We also believe that long-term economic development is important, but so is protecting the interests of today's commuters and today's taxpayers.

BRIAN G. TURMAIL

Assistant to the Secretary for Communications

U.S. Department of Transportation

Washington