Dulles G

Dulles G'way to go price/distance variable with e-tags

The Dulles Greenway recently defaulted on a second $7m debt service payment and manager Michael Crane continues attempting a debt renegotiation. He told the Washington Post: "It is very difficult get everybody to sign off on it, but I'm confident we will definitely have an agreement in place by this winter." Crane has 13 major lenders to deal with and is pushing a 12-month interest grace period and other relief from debt service in the early years of the project.

Meanwhile the G'way continues to attaract new patronage. Traffic is up to an average 26,000 daily at $1 for cars compared to only a bit over10,000 before it cut its toll from $1.75. Crane is looking at new pricing plans including time and distance variable toll rates. A lot of the developments alongside the G'way are at its eastern end just beyond the Dulles airport and there is much local resentment among these potential users at having to pay the same $1 toll for a 3 or 4km ride as is paid by those who drive over 20km.

Crane is trying to find ways of giving the short-distance users a break without having to make major changes to the mainline barrier plaza near the eastern end of the G'way. He also wants to offer discounts to weekend and weekday off-peak users.

The G'way is considering a basic $1.25 toll rate in place of the present $1.00 with discounts for shorter distances and non-peak usage for those equipped with e-tags. (Contact 540 687 8884)