Virginia’s State Corporation Commission denied the requests to hike toll rates on Dulles Greenway and to change the process for rate hike applications.
The Greenway is a privately-owned, 14-mile toll road in northern Virginia that runs through Loudoun County connecting Leesburg to Washington DC.
Its owner, Toll Road Investors Partnership II, aka TRIP II, filed an application for increases to congestion and off-peak tolls.
Whereas the rate for a car is currently $5.80 and $5.25, respectively, for peak and off-peak travel, TRIP II wanted to hike those rates to $8.10 and $6.40.
The SCC considered input from a local hearing in Chantilly, a telephone hearing and evidentiary hearing, and arguments filed by parties, such as Loudoun County, as well as evidence from SCC staff.
In the spring, Michael Thomas, a senior hearing examiner for the SCC, recommended the SCC deny the request.
Attorney General Jason Miyares was one of the voices who argued against the hikes. His position is the increases would discourage use of the Dulles Greenway and are not reasonable for users.
“The last thing Northern Virginia commuters need right now is higher tolls along the Dulles Greenway,” he said following the SCC decision. “Working class families deserve a break. I am relieved our office was able to provide critical support to keep these toll hikes off the backs of commuters.”
The SCC agreed and determined that the increases would “materially discourage use of the Greenway” and they were out of line with the State Code, which limits increases to “no more than a reasonable return.”
Further, TRIP II’s request also included an attempt to “streamline” the process for seeking future rate hikes.
That request was also denied. The SCC concluded that current procedures “continue to be necessary.”
“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 Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis J. Randall.
“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,” said Dulles District Supervisor Matt Letourneau, Chairman of the Board’s Finance, Government Operations and Economic Development Committee.
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