FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 10, 2000
CONTACT: Patricia Nicoson
(703) 716-5750
Dulles Corridor Rail Association
Governor Gilmore to be Honored by Dulles Corridor Rail Association
RESTON, VA, January 10, 2000 – The Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA) announced today that, in a Richmond ceremony at the Library of Virginia on January 31st, it will present an award to Governor James S. Gilmore, III recognizing his leadership in advancing plans for rail in the Dulles Corridor, thereby improving the economy of Virginia and the quality of life in Northern Virginia.
The plaque honoring the Republican Governor will be presented to him by Delegate Kenneth R. Plum (Reston) who chairs the DCRA and Delegate Vincent F. Callahan, Jr. (McLean), co-chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the House of Delegates and Vice Chairman of DCRA.
On August 31, 1999, Governor Gilmore took a forceful public stand favoring extension of rail to Dulles International Airport. "I strongly support the Dulles Rapid Bus Transit project and the extension of rail to Tysons Corner and then Dulles," he announced. "I have asked the Commonwealth Transportation Board to put this project on a fast track."
"DCRA has supported recent developments which have built on the momentum following Governor Gilmore’s stand. On December 7, 1999, the Dulles Corridor Task Force called upon the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to act as an agent of the Commonwealth in requesting federal funding and approval from the Federal Transit Administration to launch preliminary engineering and the environmental analysis process for rail in the Dulles Corridor. On January 19, 2000, the Transportation Planning Board amended its current Transportation Improvement Program permitting preliminary engineering and design for bus and rail transit to proceed simultaneously.
At DCRA’s annual meeting on November 16, 1999, Delegate Plum told the 180 assembled members and guests: "Rail is coming to the Dulles Corridor." Delegate Callahan noted the "widespread consensus" favoring the project and the "total commitment" of the Governor, the Virginia Department of Transportation and community support.
****