Announcements

At the request of Representatives Frank Wolf and Tom Latham, the Office of Inspector General plans to conduct an audit of phase 2 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.  The project is a two-phased, multibillion-dollar effort aimed at connecting Northern Virginia’s fastest growing employment regions and providing easier access to Dulles International Airport.  The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) is responsible for constructing the project.  Once MWAA completes each phase, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will operate the rail line.  In response to stakeholder concerns about the cost, scope, and financing of the planned phase 2 of the project, Secretary LaHood brokered a Memorandum of Agreement between the Commonwealth of Virginia, Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, MWAA, WMATA, and the Department of Transportation (DOT).  Our audit objectives will be to:  (1) determine whether DOT's proposed oversight role for phase 2 adequately addresses key project risk areas, including cost, schedule, and financing; and (2) assess whether MWAA's phase 2 project plans rely upon reasonable assumptions of revenue from the Dulles Toll Road.