Proposed Toll Rate Increases Report on Public Comments...2. At a future date to be determined,...

DULLES TOLL ROAD Proposed Toll Rate Increases Report on Public Comments

October 2018

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Dulles Toll Road Proposed Toll Rate Increases Report on Public Comments

October 2018

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 1

2. SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS ...................................................................................................... 4

3. EXHIBITS ................................................................................................................................................ 9

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1. INTRODUCTION

At their June 20, 2018, meeting, the Dulles Corridor and Finance Committees of the Airports Authority’s Board of Directors authorized the Authority staff to initiate the process for amending the Airports Authority regulation which establishes the toll rates for the Dulles Toll Road (DTR). The Committees also authorized staff, during this process, to conduct public hearings and seek public comment on a proposed set of toll rate increases (shown below in Table 1), as well as on four specific questions relating to operations of the DTR (set out below in Table 2).

TABLE 1: Proposed Toll Rate Increases

Vehicle Class Main Line Toll Plaza Tolled Ramp

Entrances/Exits

From To From To

2-axle $2.50 $3.25 $1.00 $1.50

3-axle $5.00 $6.50 $2.00 $3.00

4-axle $6.25 $7.75 $2.50 $3.50

5-axle $7.50 $9.00 $3.00 $4.00

6 or more axles $8.75 $10.25 $3.50 $4.50

TABLE 2: Questions Presented for Public Input

1. Should the proposed increase of $1.25 in the cost of a typical Dulles Toll Road trip be allocated as proposed between the mainline toll plaza and ramps (i.e., a 50-cent increase at the ramp plazas and a 75-cent increase at the mainline plaza) or should it be allocated in a different manner between the ramp and mainline plazas?

2. At a future date to be determined, should the Dulles Toll Road’s toll plaza lanes that allow customers to pay in cash be converted to “E-ZPass only” (or open road tolling), similar to newer toll facilities?

3. At a future date to be determined, should credit cards be accepted in certain Dulles Toll Road toll plaza lanes, similar to the Dulles Greenway and other toll facilities?

4. Should any other operational improvements be made to the Dulles Toll Road?

On June 25, 2018, the Airports Authority published a notice in The Washington Post (attached as Exhibit A) that, among other things, described the proposed DTR toll rate increases, stated the four specific operational questions on which the Airports Authority was seeking public input, provided information regarding three public hearings that would be held on the proposed toll rate

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increases, explained how information on the proposed increases could be obtained and how written comments on the proposed increases could be submitted outside of the public hearings, stated that the period for the submission of comments would run from July 2, 2018, through August 3, 2018, and invited members of the public to submit comments on the toll rate increases and the four posed questions during the comment period.

In addition to the notice in The Washington Post, notice of these three public hearings was provided in a variety of ways: print and/or digital banner advertisements in the Fairfax Times, Loudoun Now, Loudoun Times-Mirror and Washington Informer. Spanish language advertisements were placed in the Washington Hispanic and El Tiempo Latino. Public hearing notices were posted on the Airports Authority’s website (www.mwaa.com/tollroad); reminders were also posted regularly to the Airports Authority’s Twitter account which were retweeted by media outlets; and email blasts were distributed to the Authority’s customer and stakeholder email distribution lists.

The notice published in The Washington Post stated that translators would be available at each public hearing to assist Spanish-speaking attendees. In addition, the notice stated that individuals wishing other translation services for additional languages should contact the Authority at a specific number at least 72-hours in advance of the hearing. The notices also indicated that American Sign Language interpreters would be available for the hearing impaired at each hearing.

Public hearings were conducted on the dates and locations shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3: Public Hearing Dates and Locations

July 11, 2018 July 17, 2018 July 19, 2018 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Spring Hill Elementary School South Lakes High School Stone Bridge High School 8201 Lewinsville Road 11400 South Lakes Drive 43100 Hay Road

McLean, VA 22102 Reston, VA 20191 Ashburn, VA 20147

At each public hearing, information was provided to attendees in four subject areas: • Dulles Toll Road Operations, including information provided by the Virginia

Department of Transportation about the E-ZPass program;

• Dulles Corridor Improvements;

• The Metrorail Silver Line Project; and

• The Finance Plan and other financial information relating to funding the operations ofand improvements to the Dulles Toll Road and construction of Metrorail Silver Lineproject.

This information was provided in a series of boards relating to each subject area, and through Authority staff members assigned to each area. In addition, at each hearing, attendees were

http://www.mwaa.com/tollroad

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invited to prepare and submit written comments on the proposed rate increases and on the four specifically posed questions, or to convey their comments verbally to a recorder who then transcribed the comments.

The first public hearing, which was held on July 11, 2018, at Spring Hill Elementary School in McLean, was attended by 25 individuals. The second hearing, which was held on July 17 at South Lakes High School in Reston, was attended by 12 individuals. And the third hearing, which was held on July 19 at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, was attended by 15 individuals.

During the comment period, 181 individuals and 3 organizations submitted a total of 190 comments to the Authority1. These comments were submitted in a number of ways:

• through forms that were filled out and submitted by attendees at the public hearings;

• as verbal comments provided by hearing attendees and transcribed by a recorder atthe hearings;

• via an on-line comment form available on the MWAA website; and

• as written comments sent by mail or e-mail.

Verbatim copies of all submitted comments are provided in Exhibit B in two parts. Part 1 includes all comments submitted by organizations. Part 2 includes all comments submitted by individuals, arranged alphabetically by last name.

Of the 181 individuals submitting comments who responded to requests for information made by the Authority, (i) 121 stated that they currently use the Dulles Toll Road, (ii) 48 stated they plan to use the Metrorail Silver Line, and (iii) 164 provided the location of their residence; of these latter 164 individuals, 135 were residents of Fairfax County, 24 resided in Loudoun County, and 5 lived elsewhere in the Washington, D.C., region.

The 190 submitted comments varied in their content. Some only addressed the subject of the proposed toll rate increases; others only addressed the subject of the posed questions regarding DTR operations, some responding to all four of the questions and others fewer than the four; and still other comments addressed both the subject of the proposed rate increases and one or more of the posed questions. All told, these 190 submitted comments conveyed a total of 363 views on the proposed toll rates (187) and on the four posed questions (176).

1 Five of the 181 individuals provided comments on more than one occasion.

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2. SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMENTS

A. Comments in Response to the Proposed Toll Rate Increases

All but three of the 190 submitted comments addressed the subject of the proposed increases in the toll rates. The views on this subject fell into the following categories and are summarized below.

1. The unfairness of the rate increases (23 comments). These comments addressed the unfairness of the rate increases based upon the use of the increased DTR revenue they will produce to fund construction of the Metrorail Silver Line project. This unfairness, the comments stated, stemmed from the fact that many individuals who will benefit from the Silver Line project are not being asked to pay for its construction. The unfairness also stemmed, the comments stated, from the burden that the toll rates place on users of the DTR in that they are funding almost half of the construction cost of the Silver Line project. A significant part of that burden, the comments stated, should be allocated to residents and businesses throughout the entire metropolitan area who will benefit from the new Silver Line but are not being asked to fund its construction. In short, these comments stated that basic fairness requires that a far lower share of the cost of constructing the Silver Line should be paid by users of the DTR and that a far higher share should be paid by individuals who will directly and substantially benefit from the project once it becomes fully operational.

2. The impacts of the rate increases upon the commenting individual (109 comments). A segment of these comments addressed the financial impact that the proposed toll rate increases would create for the individuals submitting the comments. Several of these commenters mentioned they were retired on fixed income. Others mentioned the increased tolls would make the toll road unaffordable for their use, and they would need to use other roads to avoid the DTR. Others mentioned the toll road was becoming a road for the wealthy due to the size of the toll rates that are being proposed.

Negative impacts of the rate increases were also expressed in comments submitted by residents north of the DTR who are experiencing non-local, cut-through vehicles on their local streets which they believe would normally use the DTR if it were not for the toll rate at the mainline toll plaza. These comments conveyed the view that the toll at the mainline toll plaza is a major disincentive for drivers traveling between Interstate 495 or Route 123 and Route 7 to use the DTR and that these drivers, instead of using the DTR, are using their local streets. The comments stated that this non-local, cut-through traffic is causing their local streets to carry a volume of vehicles that they are not designed to handle.

3. Alternative sources of funding in lieu of the rate increases (28 comments). These comments communicated the view that the Authority and its Silver Line partners should find additional funding sources to fund the Silver Line construction which would enable the proposed toll rate increases to be eliminated or lowered. Five additional funding sources were identified by comments. One was the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority which, the comments stated, should assess a fee on present and future users of the Silver Line that would be used to help pay for its construction. The second source was Fairfax and Loudoun

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counties who the commenters thought should tax property owners, businesses and others with financial interests along the Dulles Corridor which will significantly benefit from the Silver Line. The third source was airlines at Dulles International Airport which, the comments stated, will also financially benefit from the Silver Line and the Metrorail station at the airport. The fourth source was the Dulles Airport Access Highway and the revenue that could be raised by tolling the highway; several comments recommended making the highway a “HOT lane” facility, like the express HOT lanes on 495, and others stated their view that it was entirely fair to toll drivers using the airport. The fifth source was additional funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia via a regional tax or an increase in the gas tax applicable to the region; generally, these comments focused on spreading the cost of the Silver Line Project throughout the region since the benefits of the project to extend beyond the Dulles Corridor.

4. General opposition to rate increase (20 comments). These comments expressed opposition to the proposed toll rate increase and conveyed no particular views as to the reason for their opposition.

5. General support of rate increases (7 comments). These comments agreed with the rate increases as proposed.

B. Comments in Response to the Specifically Posed Questions

Of the 190 submitted comments, 176 addressed one or more of the four specific questions on which the public was asked to comment. The views that were conveyed by these comments are summarized below for each of the four questions.

1. Should the proposed increase of $1.25 in the cost of a typical Dulles Toll Road trip be allocated as proposed between the mainline toll plaza and ramps (i.e., a 50-cent increase at the ramp plazas and a 75-cent increase at the mainline plaza) or should it be allocated in a different manner between the ramp and mainline plazas?

Fifty-five submitted comments addressed this question. Seven of these comments agreed with the allocation between the mainline and ramp plaza tolls reflected in the proposed rate increases. Forty-eight comments disagreed with that allocation.

Twenty-six of these 48 comments expressed support for the increase to be allocated differently than proposed; some favored a lower or no increase at all at the mainline plaza, while applying the proposed increases at all the ramp plazas or at certain ramps such as Spring Hill Road (which some commenters stated should have a toll equal to the toll at the main line plaza). Thirteen of the comments supported an entirely different allocation than the proposed allocation in that they favored rates at the mainline and at all (or certain) ramps that varied from the proposed rates. Seven other comments indicated disapproval of the proposed allocation because they opposed any rate increase at any toll plazas. And the remaining two comments favored applying the proposed increases at the mainline plaza but not increasing the ramp toll rates at all, or just stated the allocation should be different but failed to provide an alternative allocation.

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2. At a future date to be determined, should the Dulles Toll Road’s toll plaza lanes that allow customers to pay in cash be converted to “E-ZPass only” (or open road tolling), similar to newer toll facilities?

Forty-four comments addressed this question and expressed the following viewpoints.

a. No conversion of cash lanes to E-ZPass only lanes (12 comments). These comments opposed any conversion of cash lanes to the E-ZPass system and favored retaining the current cash lanes.

b. Complete conversion of cash lanes to E-ZPass only lanes (19 comments). These comments favored converting all cash lanes at the ramps and mainline toll plazas to E-ZPass only lanes, thus moving the DTR to an All-Electronic-Toll facility. These comments noted that this system is widely used in the region, and it would lead to greater efficiencies on the DTR, both for drivers and for the Airports Authority which could avoid the personnel costs associated with the cash lanes.

c. Partial conversion of cash lanes to E-ZPass only lanes (13 comments). These comments favored converting some but not all cash lanes to E-ZPass only lanes, and they recommended that at least one lane should continue to allow for cash and/or credit card transactions. These comments appeared to favor retaining at least one cash lane at the mainline plaza and at all ramps since none expressly suggested retaining a cash lane at fewer than all toll plazas.

3. At a future date to be determined, should credit cards be accepted in certain Dulles Toll Road toll plaza lanes, similar to the Dulles Greenway and other toll facilities?

Thirty-eight submitted comments addressed this question and presented the following views.

a. Support the use of credit cards (31 comments). These comments generally favored providing a credit card payment option in some DTR toll plaza lanes without distinguishing between ramps or mainline plazas. The comments saw this as a good operational change which would benefit DTR users by providing another payment option and, in addition, would enable a reduction in or elimination of number of personnel required to staff toll booths.

Twenty of these comments supported providing a credit card option at the ramp and mainline plazas and removing entirely the pay-by-cash option. The other eleven comments indicated it would be advisable to retain at least one cash toll booth at all toll plazas to allow a method of payment other than E-Z Pass for those who do not have a credit card or who lack an E-ZPass.

A few comments went further to express that other forms of payment should be explored, and suggested the use of Apple Pay, Google Pay and debit cards.

b. Do not support use of credit cards (7 comments). These comments did not support and recommended against the use of credit cards, with some commenters stating the fear of

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identity theft and the fact that not all uses of the DTR have access to credit cards.

4. Should any other operational improvements be made to the Dulles Toll Road?

Thirty-nine submitted comments addressed this open-ended question. These comments presented the following views.

a. Mitigate avoidance of mainline plaza (11 comments). These comments addressed the use of neighborhood streets north of the DTR in McLean by non-local, cut-through vehicle traffic. The comments expressed the view that this use of neighborhood streets, at least in significant part, is by drivers who are traveling in both directions between Interstate 495 (or Route 123 east of 495) and areas west of Route 7, and are using local streets in between 495 and Route 7 to avoid paying a toll at the DTR mainline toll plaza. For instance, some of these comments stated the view that vehicles traveling southbound on 495 and heading to destinations west of Route 7 avoid the DTR and the toll at the mainline toll plaza by exiting 495 prior to the toll road, use neighborhood streets to reach Route 7, and then take the on-ramp to westbound DTR from Route 7 (where no toll is charged). Other comments conveyed the view that drivers traveling eastbound on the DTR avoid the mainline toll plaza by (i) exiting the toll road onto Route 7 westbound (where no toll is charged) and eventually entering local streets and proceeding east to connect to 495 or Route 123 or (ii) exiting onto Spring Hill Road (paying an exit ramp toll), then turning north onto Spring Hill Road and eventually using local streets to travel east to 495 or Route 123.

The comments expressed the view that the tolls assessed at the DTR mainline toll plaza serve as a disincentive for drivers to use the toll road, and lead drivers instead to use local streets to reach their destination. To address this problem, eight of the comments recommended the creation of a dedicated lane along the DTR/Route 267 for trips between 495 and Route 7 that would allow for toll-free usage or usage with tolls substantially less than they are now.2 The comments stated that this toll-free or toll-reduced dedicated lane would encourage drivers to use the DTR to travel back and forth between 495 or Route 123 and Route 7, rather than, as now, using local streets for these “short-hop” trips.

Five of these submitted comments also described an alternative recommendation which is to relocate the DTR mainline toll plaza to a new location west of Route 7. The comments suggested that moving the mainline toll plaza west of Route 7 would reduce the incentive of many non-local drivers who, the commenters believe, now cut-through residential streets north of the toll road to avoid the mainline toll plaza.

One comment suggested tolling all entry and exit ramps for Route 7.

2 Comments suggesting a dedicated lane did not specify if this lane was for eastbound drivers or westbound drivers or both.

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b. Implement distance-based tolling (7 comments). These comments stated that a tolling system which ties the amount of tolls assessed DTR drivers to the distance they travel on the toll road would be more equitable than the current toll rate system, and they recommend its adoption at some point in the future.

c. Miscellaneous Improvements (14 comments). These comments included a variety of suggested improvements for the DTR, including repaving the road, having more clearly marked lanes, adding a third eastbound lane on the DTR/Route 267 from the main line toll plaza all the way to Route 123, improving the eastbound exit ramp from DTR/Route 267 to Route 123 east, improving the eastbound exit ramp from DTR/Route 267 to 495 north, studying the assessment of one-way only tolls (i.e., only on vehicles traveling eastward or traveling westward), allowing HOV vehicles to use the DTR toll-free and adding another HOV lane in each direction.

d. No improvements needed (7 comments). T h e s e comments stated a preference for no operational improvements on the DTR, either because they felt the toll road was “fine as-is” or because they felt making no improvements would mean lower costs which would mean lower rate increases.

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3. EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A – Copy of The Washington Post Advertisement

EXHIBIT B – Verbatim Copies of all Comments

Part 1: Comments received from organizations

Part 2: Comments received from individuals, sorted alphabetically


A-1

EXHIBIT A – Copy of The Washington Post Advertisement


EXHIBIT B – Verbatim Copies of all Comments

Part 1: Comments received from organizations

Part 2: Comments received from individuals, sorted alphabetically

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Exhibit B

Item #Last Name, First Name(If Given)

Applicable Categories:

Comments as Submitted by Organizations:

124

Auerbach, Irwin "Irv"1,

The Lewinsville Coalition

A1,A2,B1,B2A,B4A

Comments of the Lewinsville Coalition on the Proposed Dulles Toll Road Toll Increases and Other Issues The following are the comments of the Lewinsville Coalition regarding the proposed Dulles Toll Road toll increases and other aspects of the current Toll Road operations that contribute to cut‐through traffic on Lewinsville Road. The Lewinsville Coalition represents 11 homeowners’ associations along Lewinsville Road and Spring Hill Road in McLean. Currently Lewinsville Road experiences a large volume of cut‐through traffic. A portion of this cut‐through traffic consists of vehicles that logically should be using the Toll Road instead of Lewinsville Road. This extra traffic has a significant effect on our neighborhoods. During rush hour, our residents often have difficulty getting into and out of our neighborhoods because of the large volume of traffic on Lewinsville Road in both directions. Our comments are concerned with the following issues associated with current Toll Road operations and proposed Toll Road toll increases:• The disincentive for drivers to pass through the main toll plaza to use the Toll Road to and from VA 123 because of the higher toll at the main Toll Plaza than at the nearbySpring Hill Road ramp. • The disincentive for traveling the short distances on the Toll Road between Rt. 7 and VA 123 and I‐495 because of the high toll at the main toll plaza.• Transitioning to all‐electronic tolling in the future and charging tolls based on distance travelled. The Dulles Toll Road Authority should implement tolling and operational policies and methods that keep traffic on the Toll Road and remove disincentives for drivers to “cut‐through” on Lewinsville Road.

Disincentive to pass through the main toll plaza travelling to and from VA 123The logical way for drivers to travel to and from VA 123 on the Toll Road is to use the ramps at VA 123. Drivers using the Toll Road ramps at VA 123 must pass through the main toll plaza. However, drivers can also travel to and from VA 123 via Spring Hill Road and Lewinsville Road. The main toll plaza presently has a significantly higher toll ($2.50) than the adjacent ramps for Spring Hill Road ($1). In effect, drivers who want to access the Toll Road directly at the VA 123 ramps are charged an “extra fee” of $1.50 each way to travel the one mile between the main toll plaza and VA 123. The higher toll at the main toll plaza is a strong incentive for drivers to instead use the Spring Hill Road/Lewinsville Road route to and from VA 123. A daily commuter using the Spring Hill ramps to travel to and from VA 123 in lieu of accessing or exiting the Toll Road directly via the VA 123 ramps saves $1.50 each way ($3 per day). A savings of $3 per day amounts to an annual savings of $720 for a commuter traveling 5 days per week for 48 of 52 weeks per year. Clearly, there is a significant financial disincentive to pass through the main toll plaza to use the VA 123 ramps. The cut‐through traffic diverted from the Toll Road contributes greatly to the already‐significant traffic on Lewinsville Road and represents lost toll revenue for the Toll Road. The proposal to increase the tolls will make the above situation even WORSE by increasing the Toll Plaza/Spring Hill Road toll difference from the current $1.50 to $1.75, thereby increasing the disincentive to pass through the main toll plaza to use the VA 123 ramps. One way to solve the problem would be to collect more toll revenue on the ramps by charging more at all the ramps and reducing or eliminating the “extra” toll at the main toll plaza.

"Applicable Categories" refer to the section letters and subsection numbers in Section 2 of the Report Page 1 of 11

1Attended 7/11 Meeting (Spring Hill Elementary School) | 2Attended 7/17 Meeting (South Lakes High School) | 3Attended 7/19 Meeting (Stone Bridge High School)

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124Cont.

Auerbach, Irwin "Irv"1,

The Lewinsville Coalition

A1,A2,B1,B2A,B4A

Disincentive to traveling on the Toll Road between Rt. 7 and VA 123 and I‐495The Toll Road is the logical route for drivers traveling the two‐mile distance between Rt. 7 west of the Toll Road and VA 123 and I‐495. Using the Toll Road for this short segment requires passing through the main toll plaza. This short trip presently costs $2.50 each way. However, Lewinsville Road is a free parallel alternative route to the Toll Road between these points. As a result, many drivers use Lewinsville Road between VA 123 and Rt. 7 to avoid paying the high toll to travel this short distance. A daily commuter using Lewinsville Road instead of the Toll Road can save $5/day, perhaps saving as much as $1000/year in tolls. This contributes significantly to the volume of traffic on Lewinsville Road. This problem is unique to this Toll Road segment and probably can be solved with a solution applicable only to this segment. One possible solution would be to devise an electronic way to charge only a small toll – say, $0.50 or $1 – to travel the short segment between Rt. 7 and VA 123 and I‐495. Doing this would make the toll for this segment much more in line with the cost per mile for other Toll Road segments and would remove the incentive to use Lewinsville Road as a cut‐through route to avoid the toll. This method could easily be done for drivers with transponders if overhead sensors were added to the Rt. 7 eastbound on ramp and westbound off ramp. This setup would allow the software to detect vehicles traveling between the main toll plaza and Rt. 7 and to apply the small toll rather than the full toll at the main toll plaza.

Disparity in the tolls on the Spring Hill Road eastbound on‐ramp and westbound off‐ramp Lewinsville Road residents traveling the one‐mile distance on the Toll Road between Spring Hill Road and VA 123, I‐495, or the free Toll Road extension to I‐66 must pay $1 to travel this short segment. This cost per mile is much more than the cost for other Toll Road segments. This disparity is unfair to Lewinsville Road residents, who frequently use this short segment of the Toll Road. The toll on these Spring Hill Road ramps should be consistent with the new toll to use this short segment from Rt. 7, as discussed in our comment above.

Transition to all‐electronic tolling and charge by distance traveledIn the long term, the Toll Road should implement all‐electronic tolling and charge a toll based on the distance traveled. Implementing such a tolling system will eliminate all of the disincentives described in our other comments that result in the significant consequences of cut‐through traffic on Lewinsville Road residents. Tolling by distance is also a much fairer way to allocate the costs to all Toll Road users.



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180

Allen, Barbara1, The Snow Lear Homeowners Association

A2,B1, B4A

Please accept this comment both as my personal comment and one on behalf of my neighbors in the Snow Lear HOA, Section 5 of the McLean Hamlet. The toll structure on 267 affects traffic flow and access to our neighborhood, the McLean Hamlet and particularly Snow Meadow, the last street before the Lewinsville I495 overpass. In the toll structure's present state, there is a cash incentive for commuters to save on these tolls by exiting at Spring Hill Rd and re‐entering for a $.50 savings. This causes a lengthy delay for those in the left turning/straight lane who are legitimately using the exit to get to their neighborhood. Eliminating the toll collection lane is an option but having traveled to areas of the country with Easy Pass only toll roads I understand the negatives of this decision. Our area has many visitors who many not have EZ Pass but should be welcome on the Dulles corridor. Retaining the toll collection lane would also potentially solve the Spring Hill Rd issue. The cost of the toll payment lane (worker salary/benefits, processing of cash) should be calculated and considered in the toll differential between the cash and the EZ Pass Lane. If, for example, the cash lane was $1.25 for cash payers at Spring Hill cars would not save any by exiting and re‐entering eliminating this behavior and reducing this extra traffic at the toll booth. If the differential payment structure is in place, EZ Pass holders would be charged $1.00 to exit Spring Hill but for those that immediately re‐enter, the sum total for those two transactions would equal the main toll plaza total which at this point is $2.50. It would seem that this option would be a simple programming adjustment and addition of some small signage and a communication plan that would also give the opportunity to remind commuters not to use local neighborhoods as pass through routes to save time and money. When attending one of the open houses it appeared that effects of the toll structure and impact on local communities might not have been thoroughly analyzed so please consider these comments and impacts for this decision, as well as future ones. The Dulles Toll Road impacts our daily lives. We ask that you select balanced decisions that consider minimizing the negative aspects for local neighborhoods and not just positive aspects of revenue collection.



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183Whitfield, Rob1,3,Fairfax County

Taxpayers AllianceA3

To Whom It Concerns:

On behalf of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance, comments and suggestions are hereby submitted to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and its consultants for review and response.

INCLUSION OF DULLES TOLL ROAD AND CONNECTOR ROAD IN FEDERAL INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM

Many drivers, possibly a majority of those using the Dulles Airport Access Road (DAAR), the Dulles Toll Road (DTR) and the Connector Road from Capital Beltway to I 66 are interstate drivers.

Dulles International Airport, and its access routes from DC, Maryland and Virginia, are part of a domestic and international travel network. In order to obtain potential federal funding for future improvements to the DAAR, the DTR and Connector Road, these highways should be made part of the Interstate Highway system.

Dulles Toll Road users have paid over $2 billion in tolls since initial highway lanes were completed between the Capital Beltway and Route 28 in 1984, vastly more than has been levied on any other toll road in Virginia. Elsewhere in Virginia, the Commonwealth has limited or avoided use of tolls for financing most highway projects.

Over $1 billion in tolls have been levied since the November 2008 take over by Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority of DTR management and operations from the Virginia Department of Transportation. Funding for the Dulles Rail Project aka the Silver Line was negotiated in 2006 between then Governor Tim Kaine and his friend, then MWAA Board Chairman Mame Reiley, without any public hearings in Northern Virginia and without the advice and consent of the Virginia General Assembly.

Most of the tolls collected during the last decade have been used for Silver Line capital costs, the construction costs for which have more than doubled to over $6 billion from the $3 billion estimated costs in the 2004 Final Environmental Impact. Almost all of the increased costs have been borne by Dulles Toll Road users, again without any Northern Virginia public hearings during the Kaine administration.



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183Cont.

Whitfield, Rob1,3,Fairfax County


MWAA has denied DTR users any role in discussions, or the right to comment at public meetings, when funding plans and decisions are made such as those held by the Dulles Corridor Advisory Committee. MWAA is the only Washington area regional body which denies the opportunity for public comment at its regular Board meetings.

Few highway improvements have been made to the DTR by MWAA in the last decade since it assumed control of DTR operations. Replacement of certain sound walls along the DTR in Vienna was completed and entrance/exit ramps in Tysons to/from the Dulles Airport Access Road and the Capital Beltway were built circa 2010 ‐ using DTR funds, on the basis that they lessened DTR congestion.

During recent years, MWAA has conducted secret studies, allegedly by HNTB consultants, but not made public, of options for potential widening of the Dulles Toll Road between Tysons and Reston. Given the magnitude of residential and commercial developments already approved and planned for approval in both Tysons and Reston and the increased highway trips that will be generated in the decades ahead, it is time for MWAA to stop acting like the Central Intelligence Agency or similar covert entity.



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183Cont.



As a condition of obtaining the right to levy any future toll increases, MWAA must first initiate an ongoing public process to evaluate future Dulles Corridor highway improvement options and the potential impacts of proposed widening on adjacent communities. A public oversight committee must be established by MWAA, perhaps as part of the Dulles Corridor Advisory Committee, to protect nearby communities from adverse impacts from highway widening.

MWAA, without first seeking comment at public meetings in Northern Virginia, obtained approval in 2012 from the MWCOG Transportation Planning Board for an additional lane to be built in each direction to the Dulles Airport Access Road between Tysons and Dulles Airport by the mid 2030s. MWAA did not identify the potential source of project funding. Again, an ongoing public review process must be initiated by MWAA prior to approving any DTR toll increases.

Several times in the last nine months, Fairfax County Board Chairman Bulova has been asked to help negotiate a more equitable funding arrangement for the Silver Line project as part of the General Assembly's Washington Metro Area Transit Authority capital funding plan. No response has been received from County officials.

Among options suggested is a regional tax plan to help reduce the almost 50% portion of the capital and financing costs being borne by DTR users. The projected DTR toll increases in coming years will be far higher than those during the last decade when toll rates were held constant by a series of General Assembly toll subsidies.

Since the land underlying the Dulles Airport Access Road, the Dulles Toll Road and Connector Road is owned by the federal government, with the DTR leased to VDOT and subleased to MWAA, it seems timely for an agreement to be reached with the Federal Highway Administration to re‐assert its ownership rights and designate the Dulles Airport Access Road, the Dulles Toll Road and the Connector Road as part of the Interstate Highway System.

As part of its outreach effort, MWAA must include the public in its toll rate setting process. An independent body, not MWAA, must survey residents and businesses using the Dulles Toll Road to determine public preferences among various toll options. A survey similar to the following must be commissioned for completion within sixty days.

Additional comments will be provided shortly. MWAA must establish an ongoing communication process with the impacted public ‐ NOW!

Thank you for your consideration.



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183Cont.



Rob WhitfieldFairfax County Taxpayers Alliance

DRAFT ‐SURVEY OF DRIVERS USING DULLES TOLL ROAD

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Zipcode of Primary Residence ______

Zipcode of Primary Place of Business ______

Age Range: 16 to 24 __ ; 25 to 34 __ ; 45 to 54 __ ; 55 to 64 __; 65 and older __

PAYMENT OF DULLES TOLL ROAD TOLLS

Do you use EZ Pass to pay Dulles Toll Road tolls? YES _____ NO _____

Have you experienced any EZ pass toll payment problems during the last two years? YES _____ NO _____



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183Cont.



Types of EZ Pass toll payment problems experienced:

Failure of EZ Pass payment to be recorded YES _____ NO _____Billing problems YES _____ NO _____Credit card problems due to overbilling by EZ pass YES _____ NO _____Was resolution of EZ Pass payment problem prompt and fair YES _____ NO _____

Comments ‐ up to 50 words

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you favor an EZ Pass toll discount over cash payment for Dulles Toll Road tolls YES _____ NO _____

If you favor a discount, do you believe that such discount should be:

10% or less ____

10% to 25% ____

Over 25% ____

Do you favor Use of Credit Cards for payment for Dulles Toll Road tolls YES _____ NO _____



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183Cont.



USAGE OF DULLES TOLL ROAD

How often do you use the Dulles Toll Road Entrance/Exit Ramps as a driver of personal automobile?

At least five times per week in both directions during peak traffic periods _____

At least five times per week in both directions during off peak traffic periods _____

Two to four times per week in both directions, peak and off daytime peak periods _____

One to two times per week in both directions, peak and off daytime peak periods _____

Less than once per week in either direction, peak and off peak periods _____

How often do you use the Dulles Toll Road Main Toll Plaza as a driver of personal automobile?

At least five times per week in both directions during peak traffic periods _____

At least five times per week in both directions during off peak traffic periods _____

Two to four times per week in both directions, peak and off daytime peak periods _____

One to two times per week in both directions, peak and off daytime peak periods _____

Less than once per week in either direction, peak and off peak periods _____



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183Cont.



DULLES TOLL ROAD ‐NIGHT TIME USE

How often do you use the Dulles Toll Road after 9.30 pm at night and before 5.30 am in mornings?

Less than once per week in either direction ____

Two or three times per week in either direction _____

Four to six times per week in either direction _____

Daily in either direction _____

Since the toll booths at entrance/exit ramps are unmanned at night, do you favor:

Use of only EZ Pass toll readers at night, elimination of cash tolls ______

Elimination of all entrance/exit ramp toll payments from 9.30 om to 5.30 am ______



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183Cont.



PEAK PERIOD TOLLS (ASSUMED AS 7.00 AM TO 9.00 AM AND 4.00 PM TO 6.00 PM)

Should DTR tolls be higher during peak periods than during the rest of the day? YES: ____ NO ____

Should DTR Main Plaza tolls be higher in peak periods than during the rest of the day? YES: ____ NO ____

Should DTR Entrance Ramp tolls be higher in peak periods than during the rest of the day? YES: ____ NO ____

Should peak period tolls be at least 50% higher than during the rest of the day? YES: ____ NO ___

183Cont.



HOV 3+ VEHICLES ‐TOLL ELIMINATION

About 15 years ago, as an incentive to encourage carpools, the Virginia General Assembly passed a bill allowing VDOT, which then operated the Dulles Toll Road, to permit HOV 3 or more vehicles to operate toll free on the DTR.

Do you favor elimination of Dulles Toll Road tolls for vehicles with three or more passengers? YES: ____ NO ___

In addition, the Authority is inviting comments on the following: 1. Whether the proposed increase of $1.25 in the cost of a typical Dulles Toll Road trip should be allocated as proposed between the mainline toll plaza and ramps (i.e., a 50‐cent increase at the ramp plazas and a 75‐cent increase at the mainline plaza) or should be allocated in a different manner between the ramp and mainline plazas;2. Whether, at a future date to be determined, the Dulles Toll Road's toll plaza lanes that allow customers to pay in cash should be converted to "E‐ZPass only" (or open roadtolling), similar to newer toll facilities;3. Whether, at a future date to be determined, credit cards should be accepted in certain Dulles Toll Road toll plaza lanes, similar to the Dulles Greenway and other tollfacilities; and4. Whether any other operational improvements should be made to the Dulles Toll Road.



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145 Acker, Larry A2,B1Many drivers avoid the main toll plaza and use Lewinsville Road. That makes it very difficult for people who live on either side of Lewinsville Road to get out of our neighborhoods, especially during morning and evening peak travel periods. Please modify the toll structure to eliminate the incentive for using Lewinsville Road.

45 Adam A4

I use the toll road minimally. I think that since it has paid for itself, the toll booths should be removed instead of funding the next project. I do not support an ever‐increasing toll on residents who were lead to believe that it would be temporary, and I think that relinquishing control of it to MWAA (so that they could impose whatever increases upon us) was a disgrace. At least the Greenway will become Virginia's in the future. I say put a toll on 495 and 66 entering Virginia until there is money for a bridge at Route 28. Then, as promised, get rid of it!

91 Allison A3,B2C,B3A(Response to Question on Use of Metrorail in Dulles Corridor) Yes. I will for work and for flights. (Response to Question on Allocation) How about hold off and tax United Airlines and other companies who will profit from it. (Response to Question on E‐ZPass Only) No (Response to Question on Credit Card Acceptance) Yes (Response to Question on Operational Improvements) No more tolls.

75 Anderson, Rob1 A2,B1,B4A

Personally, I will pay the toll now only if I need to save time. I have the financial means to pay it every day like I did in the days when toll plaza was $1.50, but cannot stomach the idea of paying $10 round trip to get to Reston/Herndon with MWAA proposed increase.Place an entrance/exit toll on Rt7 which bypasses the main toll plaza; similar to Springhiill Rd toll. No driver wants to pay $3.50 to go 300 feet to Rt 7. There are ways around this and cost incentivized drivers will avoid this toll. Lower the toll so there is more of an incentive to pay the it.The volume of Maryland plated cut thru traffic in my neighborhood is very high during rush hours, both ways. My neighborhood has a route from Georgetown pike to Bellview to Towlston to Rt 7. MD traffic will use this route to avoid toll plaza and get to Rt 7.Increase of tolls at main toll plaza will incentivize cut through traffic which avoids tolls entirely. Lower tolls at main toll plaza and raise tolls at Reston Herndon exits.Take some time and visit the intersection of Towlston & Bellview roads during rush hour. You will see a huge volume of traffic. Most of these are toll avoiders. Look closely at the vehicle occupants and the vehicle and you may come to the conclusion that a lower toll on Rt 7 exit/entrance that avoids the toll plaza might incentivize these drivers to pay the cheaper toll as opposed to the proposed $350.

171 Andrews, Helen A4 I think that they should lower the rates for economical reasons everyone cannot afford these rate prices and have a discount for the seniors and the disabled riders can afford.

90 Arila, Norme3 A1,A3,B1,B2A,B3A(Response to Question on Allocation) Between the ramp and the mainline. But I don't agree of the increase United Airlines have to pay their fair share too. (Response to Question on E‐Z Pass Only) Yes (Response to Question on Credit Card Acceptance) Yes (Response to Operational Improvements) No extra toll fee.



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89 Armstead, Joshua3 A1,A3I believe that companies like United should pay their fair share. I think that corporations should pay the tolls. Tax them, not the people. Tax the corporations, and you'll have the capital you need for improvements.

93 Armstead, Joshua3 A1,A3I believe that , and I'm wondering why, actually, in the form of a question, why companies like United and others who are benefitting the most from this Toll Road don't pay their fair share. As a representative for the workers at Dulles Airport, I believe that United has the ability to pay more, and that it shouldn't fall on the workers or the taxpayers. That's it.

24 Atkinson, Hunter B1,B2B The rates are appropriate. More lanes should be EZ Pass only.

123 Auerbach, Irv1 A2

I urge MWAA to modify the toll structure to eliminate the incentive for drivers to use Lewinsville Road to avoid the main toll plaza. Drivers who do that are making a major contribution to traffic on Lewinsville Road during the morning and evening peak travel periods. Traffic on Lewinsville Road during those periods has become so heavy that it has become very difficult to exit our neighborhoods. I realize that MWAA must generate sufficient revenue to redeem bonds and build the Silver Line, but it simply is not equitable to raise that revenue at the expense of the hundreds of families who live in this area.

160 Baird, Elizabeth A2If you increase those tolls, it will just send more cars off of 267 and speeding down Lewinsville Road, Old Dominion Drive, and Georgetown Pike in McLean. This traffic off of 267 avoiding the tolls is already trapping McLean residents in their homes due to its volume and excessive speed.



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188 Baker, Heather B1

MWAA Should Reduce The MPT For Cars Entering or Leaving The Dulles Toll Road at Route 7. The $2.50 imposed at the Mainline Plaza Toll (MPT) is causing drivers traversing a short stretch of the Dulles Toll Road between I‐495 and Route 7 to instead use residential streets as a cut through. These "short hop" drivers are overloading residential streets with commuter traffic, creating an unsafe and unpleasant situation for local residents. Increasing the toll to $3.25 for the "short hop" drivers will lead more of them to avoid the Dulles Toll Road. Their increased use of neighborhood cut through routes will cost the Metropolitan Airport Authority (MWAA) even more revenue, and will make the nearby local roads even more congested and hazardous. The toll should be lowered, not raised, for these short hop drivers. That will lead more of them back to the Dulles Toll Road, increasing revenue for MWAA, and reducing neighborhood cut through traffic. Toll Rate Anomaly: A driver traveling I‐495 north or south who wants to reach Route 7 via the Dulles Toll Road must pay $2.50 per car at the MPT. This is high, considering the commuters will travel only 1.7 miles on the Dulles Toll Road. Likewise, a $2.50 toll must be paid for the reverse trip from Route 7 to I‐495, creating a $5.00/day roundtrip total. MWAA proposes to increase this toll even higher to $3.25 each way, or $6.50 a day. This situation is faced by commuters from points south and west in Virginia and from Maryland. If they wish to use the Dulles Toll Road as a convenient interchange between Route 7 and I‐495, they must pay the full MPT toll for a short hop of 1.7 miles. The Great Escape Long‐haul commuters on Dulles Toll Road may be willing to pay increased toll rates, but these short hop commuters are already refusing to pay the current toll. They have available cut through routes via the local residential roads between I‐495 and Route 7. Because commuters navigating the local roads are able to continue their general eastward or westward movement, they do not lose an inordinate amount of time.

188Cont.

Baker, Heather B1

Why Is It Suddenly A Problem? When the toll rate was $0.75, it was not worth the effort to use neighborhood cut through routes to avoid the MPT toll. When the rate was raised to $2.50, circa 2013, it became worthwhile for many commuters. They have proven their unwillingness to pay the toll by increasingly flooding the residential roads. If the MPT toll is raised again from $2.50 to $3.25, that will worsen the situation. It will increase the incentive for short hop drivers to take to the neighborhood streets to evade the MPT toll. The Toll Rate Study Does Not Consider The Short Hop: The Dulles Toll Road Comprehensive Traffic and Revenue Study (2018 Update) estimates the potential impact of the toll increase on Dulles Toll Road revenues, including the increase of the MPT toll from $2.50 to $3.25 per car. The study concludes that Dulles Toll Road users are relatively insensitive to rate increases, and so the proposed increased will likely be accepted. That may be true for long‐haul commuters who travel the length of the Dulles Toll Road or who live in the Reston or Herndon areas. The study failed, however, to consider lost revenue from the short hop commuters who only want to connect from Route 7 to I‐495 or vice versa. As just discussed, these short hop commuters have a realistic escape. Thousands of short hop drivers every day refuse to pay $2.50 MPT toll. If the MPT toll is raised to $3.25, even more of these drivers will find it worthwhile to evade it. The study fails to consider how revenue MWAA may lose from short hop drivers in the toll increases to $3.25, or conversely, how much revenue might be gained if a new lower rate could be applied exclusively to short hop drivers. Possible solutions: MWAA not doubt can determine how best to solve this problem. We did some brainstorming and came up with a few ideas: Create dedicated Route 7 entrance/exit lanes. Each car in the lane would pay a low toll (e.g., $0.75 or $1.00) and be physically constrained to exit Route 7 (to prevent cheating). Use an overhead detector for E‐Z pass commuters, to track is entering and exiting route 7, giving these cars a pre‐defined credit against the MPT. Reduce the MPT for all cars but allocated an increased amount to ramps beyond Route 7. Move the MPT beyond Route 7. Conclusion: If, instead of raising the toll, a lower toll rate could be applied exclusively to the short hop commuters, a large number would probably return to the Dulles Toll Road to save time, thereby increasing MWAA revenue. Taking this step also would be a big help in removing thousands of daily commuters from nearby residential streets, thereby improving local quality of life. We urge MWAA to eliminate this toll anomaly for the benefit of all concerned.

187 Baker, Steve A2

Since the imposition of the $2.50 toll imposed at the Mainline Plaza Toll (MPT) significant traffic has rerouted to residential neighborhood streets to avoid a short stretch of the Dulles Toll Road between I‐495 and Route 7. These "short hop" drivers are overloading residential neighborhood streets with commuter traffic, creating an unsafe and unpleasant situation for local residents and putting higher numbers of vehicular traffic on roads that are not designed or intended to handle those high volumes. Increasing the toll to $3.25 for the "short hop" drivers will lead more of them to avoid the Dulles Toll Road. This increased use of neighborhood cut through routes will cost the Metropolital Airports Authority (MWAA) revenue and will make the nearby local roads even more congested and hazardous and will also lead to increased maintenance costs on local roads. The toll should be lowered, not raised, for these short hop drivers. That will lead more of them back to Dulles Toll Road, increasing revenue for MWAA, and reducing neighborhood cut through traffic. I read the traffic study and it does not appear to consider this issue or address the lost revenue/neighborhood impact instead focusing more on end‐to‐end traffic flow. Please take the time to consider this matter as there would appear to be significant net benefits to all parties.



Part 2





178Baker, Steve &

HeatherA2,B1

Short Hop Rate change proposed between Rt 7 and 495

MWAA Should Reduce The MPT For Cars Entering or Leaving The Dulles Toll Road at Route 7 Summary

● The $2.50 toll imposed at the Mainline Plaza Toll (MPT) is causing drivers traversing a short stretch of the Dulles Toll Road between I‐495 and Route 7 to instead useresidential streets as a cut through. These “short hop” drivers are overloading residential streets with commuter traffic, creating an unsafe and unpleasant situation for local residents.

● Increasing the toll to $3.25 for the “short hop” drivers will lead more of them to avoid the Dulles Toll Road. Their increased use of neighborhood cut through routes will cost the Metropolitan Airport Authority (MWAA) even more revenue, and will make the nearby local roads even more congested and hazardous. The toll should be lowered, not raised, for these short hop drivers. That will lead more of them back to the Dulles Toll Road, increasing revenue for MWAA, and reducing neighborhood cut through traffic.

Toll Rate Anomaly A driver traveling I‐495 north or south who wants to reach Route 7 via the Dulles Toll Road must pay $2.50 per car at the MPT. This toll is high, considering the commuter will travel only 1.7 miles on the Dulles Toll Road. Likewise, a $2.50 toll must be paid for the reverse trip from Route 7 to I‐495, creating a $5.00 / day roundtrip total. MWAA proposes to increase this toll even higher to $3.25 each way, or $6.50 a day. This situation is faced by commuters from points south and west in Virginia and from Maryland. If they wish to use the Dulles Toll Road as a convenient interchange between Route 7 and I‐495, they must pay the full MPT toll for a short hop of 1.7 miles. The Great Escape Long‐haul commuters on the Dulles Toll Road may be willing to pay increased toll rates, but these short hop commuters are already refusing to pay the current toll. They have available cut through routes via the local residential roads between I‐495 and Route 7. Because commuters navigating the local roads are able to continue their general eastward or westward movement, they do not lose an inordinate amount of time.

Why Is It Suddenly A Problem? When the toll rate was $0.75, it was not worth the effort to use neighborhood cut through routes to avoid the MPT toll. When the rate was raised to $2.50, circa 2013, it became worthwhile for many commuters. They have proven their unwillingness to pay the toll by increasingly flooding the residential roads. If the MPT toll is raised again from $2.50 to $3.25, that will worsen the situation. It will increase the incentive for short hop drivers to take to the neighborhood streets to evade the MPT toll.



Part 2





178Cont.

Baker, Steve & Heather

A2,B1

The Toll Rate Study Does Not Consider The Short HopThe Dulles Toll Road Comprehensive Traffic and Revenue Study (2018 Update) estimates the potential impact of the toll increase on Dulles Toll Road revenues, including the increase of the MPT toll from $2.50 to $3.25 per car. The study concludes that Dulles Toll Road users are relatively insensitive to rate increases, and so the proposed increases will likely be accepted. That may be true for long‐haul commuters who travel the length of the Dulles Toll Road or who live in the Reston or Herndon areas. The study failed, however, to consider lost revenue from the short hop commuters who only want to connect from Route 7 to I‐495 or vice versa. As just discussed, these short hop commuters have a realistic escape. Thousands of short hop drivers every day refuse to pay $2.50 MPT toll. If the MPT toll is raised to $3.25, even more of these drivers will find it worthwhile to evade it. The study fails to consider how revenue MWAA may lose from short hop drivers if the toll increases to $3.25, or conversely, how much revenue might be gained if a new lower rate could be applied exclusively to short hop drivers.

Possible Solutions MWAA no doubt can determine how best to solve this problem. We did some brainstorming and came up with a few ideas:

● Create dedicated Route 7 entrance/exit lanes. Each car in the lane would pay a low toll (e.g., $0.75 or $1.00) and be physically constrained to exit Route 7 (to prevent cheating).

● Use an overhead detector for E‐Z pass commuters, to track who is entering and exi ng route 7, giving these cars a pre‐defined credit against the MPT.

● Reduce the MPT for all cars but allocate an increased amount to ramps beyond Route 7.

● Move the MPT beyond Route 7. Conclusion If, instead of raising the toll, a lower toll rate could be applied exclusively to the short hop commuters, a large number would probably return to the Dulles Toll Road to save time, thereby increasing MWAA revenue. Taking this step also would be a big help in removing thousands of daily commutersfrom nearby residential streets, thereby improving local quality of life. We urge MWAA to eliminate this toll anomaly for the benefit of all concerned.

66 Bao, Nancy A2,B1,B2A,B3A

1.This will only encourage more traffic on local roads to avoid this increase in toll. We should be making every effort to keep traffic off of local roads like Lewinsville Road. A better alternative would be to make a separate lane from Rte 7 to the Toll Road much cheaper than the regular toll, if not completely free. This would encourage all drivers touse the Toll Road rather than drive on Lewinsville Road. Our elementary schools and being inundated with drivers avoiding the Toll road, please please please make a free lanefor them from Rte 7 to I‐495!! 2 and 3 are good ideas, but the most important would be make a free lane from Rte 7 to I‐495!



Part 2





135 Bartram, Susan1 A2,B1,B3A,B4B

I live on a dead‐ed street that adjoins Lewinsville Rd. in McLean near Spring Hill Recreation Center. I am an infrequent Dulles Toll Road user. I occassionally travel to Dulles airport and pay the toll at the Spring Hill Road ramp. I also use the toll road occassionally to travel to Reston Town Center adn Rt. 28. I never go through the main toll plaza and I understand why many drivers exit at Spring Hill Road and cut through my neighborhood to avoid the main toll plaza.

I live with the effects of traffic using Lewinsville Road as a way to by pass the tolls, and particularly, the main toll plaza. It is dangerous and difficult to pull out from my street during peak travel periods. The extra traffic makes it hard for me to go anywhere during peak travel hours (Lewinsville Road becomes gridlocked at the intersections with VA 123 and VA 7.) I fear that raising the tolls will make the situation worse. I understand the need for additional revenue but ask that you work to find a solution that will decrease the dis‐incentive for motorists to pass through the main toll plaza, I would like motorists to stop exiting at Spring Hill Road to use Lewinsville Rd. to access VA 123 and I 495.

I would like to see the Dulles Toll Road move to distance‐based electronic tolling (using EZ‐pass). That is the only fair way to distribute the burden of the tolls. One disparity that affects me frequently is that I presently have to pay $1.50 to use the toll road to get to the ramp nearest my home (Spring Hill Road) and vice versa from the Beltway or Rt. 123. This is a very short distance. Other segments of the toll road are much longer and are charged the same toll. Consequently, I rarely use this route, instead taking the extra few minutes to use Rt 123 to Lewinsville Road when exiting the Beltway. I will NEVER use it after the toll increases. More drivers would use this route if the toll was more equitable – you would make more money in the long run, arterial roads would benefit, and motorists would benefit.

I favor a credit card option that would allow people who do not live in the area and do not have a transponder to use the road.

151 Bavisotto, Nancy A2,B1

I live in the McLean Hamlet, which can only be entered or exited by using Lewinsville Road; and without any traffic lights. We've lived in our home 15 years, and the traffic has become very bad for me when I leave and when I return home. (I work in Maryland, so metro is not really a viable option).

Please make changes at least, so drivers are not encouraged to use Lewinsville Road, to avoid going through the main toll plaza.

Also ‐ There needs to be a plan in place before more high‐rise office buildings that include employee parking are built in Tyson's area. Route 123 is already gridlocked in the morning.

My husband takes metro from our home to DC daily, because for him it's convenient ‐‐ plus he's not offered free parking.

140Bayliss, George

"Buddy"A2,B1

I currently reside at 1222 Old Stable Road in McLean, VA. The traffic problems on Lewinsville Road continue to get worse each week. Many drivers traveling from the Dulles Airport/Reston area are avoiding the main toll plaza on the Dulles Toll Road by taking the Route 7 West exit. They then turn right onto Lewinsville Road. The cars traveling to Maryland then turn left onto Swinks Mill Road and go to Georgetown Pike to get on the Capital Beltway to Maryland. This makes it very difficult to get out of the McLean Hunt subdivision, especially during the morning and afternoon peak travel periods. I believe the MWAA needs to modify the toll structure to eliminate the incentive for using Lewinsville Road.

94 Bayou, Bert3 A3

I'm also the Chapter President for the Union. We have hundreds of members at Dulles Airport, and mostly low‐wage workers, and most of them live around here. I also drive a lot around here because of my work, and the toll is very high now for the workers and, you know, for the residents around here. But now, you know, more hikes on the Toll Road is going to create more hardship on our members, especially we're saying that the airlines who are standing to make more money because of this Metro expansion should be paying more, because right now, United is getting breaks, tax breaks from the fuel, for the airplane fuel. They don't pay anything for it, and they are already making millions that they save from that. So what we're saying is why can't MWAA and the State of Virginia make a decision to stop that subsidy that they are giving to companies that are already making millions of dollars and shift that money to finish the Metro line. That's our proposal, and that's what we need.



Part 2





53 Berenson, Allen1 A2

I strongly opposed this increase on two grounds. 1. First and foremost, they is no indication that you have done any study on how much traffic will be pushed onto route 7 or Lewisville Rd. By allowing this increase in toll revenue. With the build up in Tyson’s, there has been a steady increase in traffic on Lewinsville as trucks and citizens seek to avoid route 7 traffic, impacting quality of life for tall those who live along Lewinsville rd. The unintended consequences of increased traffic on local streets is unacceptable. 2. Many citizens are reaching retirement age and continued taxes put continue down pressure on family budgets. Enough said.

56 Bertoni, Nicholas B2C,B3A

1. The correct answer is that the proposed increase should not happen at all. Metro should clean up its own mess. I drive so I don't have to ride the Metro. I already spend $7/day on tolls for 267.‐ $2.50 at the plaza and $1.00 at the ramp, each way. That's already an awfully high number. To increase that by almost 36% is ridiculous.2/3. You need to allow for other forms of payment for those visiting the area that have no idea how the tolls work and who are not expecting these crazy high tolls in the first place. 4. Stop using the toll road to subsidize Metro. I drive to work so I don't have to experience the disaster that is Metro. Forcing someone to pay for it without using it isunreasonable.

143 Bickston, Barbara A2Please do not change the toll structure for the Dulles Toll Road. It will cause even more drivers to use Lewinsville Road as a bypass to avoid the toll plaza, making it even more difficult to get out of our street‐‐Snow Meadow Lane.

44 Blankespoor, Liz B2AAs a Reston resident, I am against any toll increases. It's one of our local roads, and we use it all of the time, and it's very expensive. As to point 2, I'd like to have open road tolling ‐ much more convenient. Thank you.

36 Blow, Melissa A4

First, I would like to see solid evidence and justification for the need to increase the toll rate(s) and so far I've seen no justfication whatsoever.When I moved here in 92, it was 25‐cents for the ramps (with the exception of 35‐cents to get on 28), and the main toll plaza was 50‐cents.The rates have gone up exponentially since then with no end in sight. The fact is there is twice (if not more) traffic in the area and on the toll road so extra revenue has long been generated as a result of the much heavier traffic in the Dulles corridor which should negate the need for these huge rate increases. It would be one thing if more lanes were being added to the toll road to accommodate the icreased traffic but that is not the case. This is simply all out greed.This reminds me of when I lived in San Diego a long time ago and there was a toll to cross the Coronado Bay Bridge. Supposedly, the toll would only be long enough to cover the building of the bridge but because it was such a money maker they kept the toll.So far I've not heard any valid reason for why such a huge jump in toll road fees when there is a heck of alot more traffic (hence revenue) already generated.

63 Bobbish, Charles A2I am adamantly against this proposal to raise toll prices any amount. The Dulles Toll Road is already too expensive and provides users with nothing more than a traffic jam twice each weekday, while four lanes of pavement sit empty between the airport and Tysons Corner. The MWAA was supposed to remove tolls years ago and failed to meet this. I do not agree, and will stop using the toll road if this increase is approved. The only improvement that you should make is to remove the tolling completely.



Part 2





61 Bolton, Elizabeth A2 I oppose any rate increase! My family members live in Arlington. Have you any idea what it costs me to visit them? Find some other way to raise money.

47 Bordeaux, JoAnn A41. There should be no toll increases!!!! We are paying enough already. Years ago when the road was initially built residents were told the toll would be lifted once the roadwas paid for. Instead once paid, tolls have increased steadily. Enough!!!

84 Bowns, Carter A4How has this suddenly become funding for metro? Tolls *used to* be used for the road, and *should be* used for the road. Now it’s just ridiculous to increase toll costs to subsidize metro. Leave the rates alone and stop paying for metro.Also, stop with the push for dynamic tolling. No one wants it.

5 Boyle, Andrew A1,A2

Unfortunately I will not be able to make any of the three (3) upcoming hearings on the proposed increases to the Reston area tolls to support the Silver Line.

I live in the area of Sunrise and Hunter Mill, and the traffic is already very bad. Likewise it is very bad in the area of Sunrise (the area between Reston Parkway and Hunter Mill is stop‐and‐go for many days after work).

I am STRONGLY against the increase in the tolls ‐ both for reasons of financial equity and the inevitable push it will have for traffic to take secondary roads (such as Sunrise, Sunset, Hunter Mill) which are already laughably stretched beyond any viable common sense traffic levels. The rationale to charge road/tolls to help offset the price of the Silver Line (because the logic was that if the Silver line rates were too high for Metro users no one would use it) doesn't hold true ‐ the Silver Line is heavily used (check out all of the full parking garages and lots) ‐ just increase the rates for Metro users since they are the ones directly benefiting.

The ineptitude in lack of forward planning for this general area is shocking ‐ I hope you realize that your continued direction will ruin the exact features that brought people to Reston, Herndon, Vienna and surrounding areas. And once the State and local authorities kill this 'golden goose' (when folks move out) it will cause a downward and irreversible spiral.

I vote, and this tolls decision will weigh heavily as a factor.

88 Britt, Nancy A3 Fees should not be increased. Metro riders should be the brunt of the costs of building the metro not those with no intent to use it.



Part 2





92 Burkett, Allison3 A1,A3

So as somebody who drives in Virginia a lot and as somebody who represents workers who work at the Dulles Airport, who drive to Dulles every single day, they stand to pay a heck of a lot more as a result of this toll, when we believe that the airlines stand to make the most money from this Silver Line development are not paying their fair share. So I'm interested in what MWAA with the State of Virginia thinks about that. I think there's a lot of things they could do about it, and I would be interested in hearing how they're going to rectify that situation.

42 Butler, Chris A2

The Dulles Toll Road was supposed to be a temporary solution that has become a permanent toll road in the Northern Virginia area. We have paid off the road many times over. In addition, WMATA gave the contract for the road to a private company that raised the tolls to meet their profit needs. The cost of the toll road is already high enough and does not need to be raised. The $2.50 rate to use the roll road from Route 7 to McLean exit or Route 66 is just crazy. I propose prices stay the same for at least 5 years or drop.

153 Cain, Christina A2I am opposed to a greater total increase. I live off of Lewinsville Road and more tolls will encourage more people to cut through our neighborhood streets that are not equipped to handle that level of commuter traffic.

158 Cain, Dan A2Hi, I live in the McLean Hamlet and I strongly oppose any change to the Toll Structure that will increase the already unsustainable level of traffic on Lewinsville Road. Presently, thousands of commuters are using Lewinsville Road to avoid the main Toll Plaza. The traffic makes it very difficult to get my children to and from school and for me to get to and from work each day. Please only consider Toll Structure changes that lower the incentive to use Lewinsville Road.

27 Caitlin B3AI 1000% support accepting credit cards at the booths, it's time to modernize that portion. I oppose the increase because I do not support drivers paying for the new Metro. WMATA should find other ways to pay for something that many drivers in the region will not use. If you're going to increase this yet again, at least consider doing variable fees based on how far you go. I hate paying full price when I get off at the very first exit, not even a mile from the main toll booth!

144 Campana, Carol A2,B1

More and more drivers are wanting to avoid the increasing tolls; consequently, they are avoiding the toll plazas. The only alternative these drivers have is to take Lewinsville Road which is a two lane road that allows residents to move to and from their homes along the Lewinsville corridor. The traffic has become unbearable on Lewinsville Road during rush hour, and the residents have found it increasingly difficult and unsafe to leave or enter their residential streets that align Lewinsville Road. It is imperative that you modify the toll structure to make it affordable for people to drive in Northern Virginia and to eliminate the initiative for using Lewinsville Road. Thank you for asking for our opinion. We hope you now understand the consequences of your action and how you can adversely effect residential neighborhoods along Lewinsville Road.



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116 Carb, Evan A1,A2,A3,B1, B4B

It seems that the comments sought are only on how to allocate a fare increase already apparently a “fait accompli”.

As a longtime resident of the Hunter Mill Corridor and the Vienna/Reston area, I have witnessed a progressively disgraceful attempt to place the burden of needed infrastructure improvements, by the state of Virginia, the county of Fairfax, and now by the MWAA, on the shoulders of a small region and more specifically on the shoulders of a small population of commuters. Currently with the private road tolls on the Greenway, tolls on the Toll Road and the congestion mitigation tolls on Route 66, an Ashburn resident might have to pay as much as $100 a day to drive in and out of DC. Now the MWAA, based on its poor planning for Metro funding, proposes to raise toll road rates even more. As a resident along the two lane scenic byway Hunter Mill Road, perhaps the only alternate non toll route one might take to get toward DC from Reston, I can assure you that such roadway is already so packed in the mornings and evenings that pulling out onto that already congested road can take upwards of 5 minutes. Notwithstanding, with the added local traffic and the cost of Metro and Parking at the Wiehle Station in Reston, even Metro Silver Line Phase 1 has not proved a true benefit for those commuters who have been forced to pay a disproportionate share of the cost of its construction. At best it has proved a benefit for occasional weekend travel into the district.

It is clear that the lion’s share of the benefits of the Silver Line construction will flow to the counties and municipalities along the route and to the Airport, which will now have a Metro connection to DC and all of its Virginia and Maryland suburbs that already have access to Metro. It may also prove a benefit to the Reston Town center, businesses along the toll road, as well as developers constructing apartments, office buildings and mixed use facilities near the planned metro stops, as well as to the future residents, businesses and workers at such locations.

Accordingly, being a realist and understanding that my displeasure with your proposal and the status quo may fall on deaf ears, I offer the following constructive suggestions for your consideration. 1. Tolls should be apportioned to the extent possible based on distance travelled. The current system makes a commuter traveling a shorter distance pay the same tolls as acommuter traveling a longer distance. If one bases road usage fees on the distance travelled, those using more of an asset should rightly pay more for their usage of that asset.2. Tolls should be allocated to most burden those entering or leaving the roadway where stations are under construction. It would seem that the most equitable way for theMWAA to pay for the added cost of the Phase 2 construction is to burden those more likely to use the stations being added in phase 2. Again this supports higher rates for those outbound travelers venturing past the Wiehle Exit, as well as inbound commuters travelling from points further out than the Wiehle Entrance.



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116Cont.

Carb, Evan A1,A2,A3,B1

3. Tolls should not be limited to daily commuters but to those accessing Dulles Airport as well. Living only 10 minutes from IAD, I do not foresee either driving or taking a cabto a Metro station in order to take the Metro to Dulles. I fully anticipate that following the completion of construction of Phase 2 that, like many residents along the silver line, but not within walking distance of a station, I will continue to access IAD by car, ride service, or taxi. Thus, it would appear that perhaps the largest group of beneficiaries of a metro stop at IAD, namely those who would ride Metro to IAD, are not being called on to pay anything for its construction.i) Because MWAA has no control over the Metro System or its present DC, Virginia or Maryland ridership, there is no way to add any fees that would make these futurebeneficiaries of an IAD Metro stop share in the cost of its construction.ii) However this is not so with current airport users presently accessing IAD by car via the free Dulles Access Road. These current IAD users are very likely to be future IADusers, and many of them may choose to reach IAD by Metro after phase 2 is completed. Accordingly I suggest the erection of a new toll plaza at a point just after the 66 traffic and 495 traffic have entered the roadway and approximately at the same location as the Main Toll Plaza, and that the toll be set at a level identical to or slightly below that charged at the main toll plaza. In this manner nobody could avoid the access toll by entering the toll road and crossing into the access road at a later point. Additionally, I recommend that at all crossover points onto the outbound access road from the toll road a gateless EZ‐pass reader be installed and that EZ‐pass drivers be charged a Toll equal to some fraction of that main access road toll (perhaps half or a third). Similarly with regard to Inbound Access Road traffic a toll plaza should be erected just after the Hunter Mill cross‐over so that inbound travelers will pay a toll, and EZ‐pass readers be installed at the two crossovers further out so that those accessing the toll road further out will pay a fractional toll. While the MWAA could elect the size of the toll paid by access road users, the net result would be that airport visitors would fairly participate in the funding of Metro to IAD, and that toll road users might be granted some reduction of toll fees based on this additional funding contribution. Thank you for your consideration of these comments and suggestions.

10 Cashman, Jayne A4 No increases!

14 Cgh, Af A4This plan is not acceptable. What are the additional revenue being earmarked towards? If metro silver lineexpansion then very counterproductive

19 Chenvert, James B1,B2C,B3A,B4D

1. The toll is already pricey, it shouldn't be increased.2. I think there always needs to be a cash‐based (or better yet, something that allows you to pay with a card/phone/cash). Not everyone using the toll road will be from anarea where they would have a need for an EZ Pass3. Yes, credit cards should be accepted.4. I think it's fine as it is for the most part.



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3 Clark, Mary A1

I am asking that you stop making life so much more difficult for those of us who work in the District. I have lost the use of I‐66 at 9:00 and so now have an hour longer commute each day. I have tried to take the metro ‐ but because of all the stops through Tysons and McLean, it takes me over 3 hours to commute to and from DC each day. It is also just not reliable. On one day it took 3 hours just to get to D.C. Now you propose to make taking the toll road even more expensive. I work for a small nonprofit that is not giving raises. I do not oppose taxation. I oppose unfair taxation ‐ taxation of a group that does not receive any additional benefit than other parts of the county that have roads provided but which do not require payment to use them. Taxation of everyone who uses roads equally is fair. Why is Reston made to pay unfairly? Last year I paid $1890 for using the 267 toll road from Reston. That is an unfair tax when others who use all the other roads in Fairfax County do not pay to use their roads. Thank you for your time and consideration of my comments.

169 Cunningham, John A1,B1

The SilverLine metro will be extended beyond Fairfax County and into Loudoun County. In fact, most of the phase 2 extension will occur in Loudoun County. The mechanisms that fund the Silver Line should be set up so that funding burden is shared equitably among Fairfax and Loudoun County residents.

Unfortunately, that is not happening. While Fairfax and Loudoun counties both have toll booths along VA‐267, only Fairfax County toll booth collections are funding the Silver Line. In fact, the most expensive toll booth is the east‐most toll booth in Fairfax County, far away from Loudoun County residents.

This set up is an unfair burden on Fairfax County residents. Instead of instituting price hikes on the VA‐267 toll booths in Fairfax County, why not institute price hikes on the VA‐267 tolls booths in Loudoun County?

157 D'Agostino, Beth A2Our community is overwhelmed with "short hop" traffic (driving Rte 7 to 495) avoiding the toll road. I live on Bellview Rd, McLean and observe Maryland drivers cutting through to Rte 7 from 495. If the toll was decreased only for these particular users it's a win‐win. You gain revenue and the local community has less cut through traffic. Thanks for considering this request.

155 D'Agostino, Tom A2,B1

● The $2.50 toll imposed at the Mainline Plaza Toll (MPT) is causing drivers traversing a short stretch of the Dulles Toll Road between I‐495 and Route 7 to instead useresidential streets as a cut through. These “short hop” drivers are overloading residential streets with commuter traffic, creating an unsafe and unpleasant situation for local residents.● Increasing the toll to $3.25 for the “short hop” drivers will lead more of them to avoid the Dulles Toll Road. Their increased use of neighborhood cut through routes will cost the Metropolitan Airport Authority (MWAA) even more revenue, and will make the nearby local roads even more congested and hazardous. The toll should be lowered, not raised, for these short hop drivers. That will lead more of them back to the Dulles Toll Road, increasing revenue for MWAA, and reducing neighborhood cut through traffic.

Possible SolutionsMWAA no doubt can determine how best to solve this problem. We did some brainstorming and came up with a few ideas:● Create dedicated Route 7 entrance/exit lanes. Each car in the lane would pay a low toll (e.g., $0.75 or $1.00) and be physically constrained to exit Route 7 (to prevent cheating). ● Use an overhead detector for E‐Z pass commuters, to track who is entering and exi ng route 7, giving these cars a pre‐defined credit against the MPT.● Reduce the MPT for all cars but allocate an increased amount to ramps beyond Route 7.● Move the MPT beyond Route 7.



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109 Damerell, Steve A1,A3Turn the road back over to VDOT ‐ turning it over to MWAA in the first place was a mistake. Putting Metro funding onto Toll Road users is a farce. I object to a toll increase on 267, regardless of whether it's at the on ramps or the main plaza. Make airport users and Metro riders pay their fair share for Metro expansion.

52 Damme, Aki A2 I'm moving. This area has become toll crazy. It's costing me over $400 a month just to commute from Herndon Va. to DC. When will this madness end?

99 Daniels, Tracy A2,B2A,B3A,B4D

1. No to raising the tolls again. I have no choice other than to use the toll road if I want to keep my commute to an hour. At this point, it costs more to drive to work than it does to pay for my daughter's sports. Thankfully, I can still do both. But what about those kids whose parents can't?2. Yes.3. Yes.4. None needed at this point

120 Daugherty, Craig A3,B1,B2C,B3A,B4D

1. I believe the current toll rates are sufficient to allow for improvements along the Dulles Toll Road. The Silver Line Extension Project should be funded with a Metro rail linerate increase and not a vehicle road fee increase. 2. Toll plaza lanes should continue to take U.S. currency as payment for use.3. Yes, credit cards should be accepted at toll plaza lanes as well as U.S. currency.4. No undefined "operational improvements" should be made.

46 Deschere, Andrew B1,B2C,B4C

1. Seems to be the most reasonable split.2. I see no need to waste money converting the plazas. Delay next fee increase and leave as‐is.3. Don't care.4. More clearly defined lane markings around the toll plaza would be nice. Other comments: With this pending increase, I have no reason to use the toll road. I do not commute on it, and only utilize it on the weekends. With this increase, I will drive around using Route 7, a mere 5‐10 minute increase in driving time. **Please considerreducing toll fees outside of the rush hour commute, this might even provide a net gain in revenue during these times.

98 Deshpande, M A1Please don't increase the toll, as residents we will be responsible for anyways paying raised property tax because of metro, it doesn't make sense that we get hammered every possible way in order to use infrastructure. It defeats the purpose and definition of convenience.

168 Diaz, Melvin B1

I would prefer a different allocation of tolls to help encourage more local use of the toll road instead of pushing more drivers onto Route 7 and Sunrise Valley/Sunset Hills Drive. I would prefer a 25 cent increase at the ramp tolls and a 1 dollar increase at the mainline plaza.

Also please consider lower toll rates during off‐peak, overnight, and weekend times, similiar to what the InterCounty Connector does in Maryland. I personally avoid the toll road during these times despite the increased travel time, and I know people will avoid the toll road more during off‐peak times after this increase is enacted. In addition, due to Metrorail's reduced service during those times, Metrorail might not be an option for people during those times as alternative to driving on the toll road.



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57 DiRienzo, Elaine A2

I live on Gallant Green Drive. We have many people getting off Dulles Toll Road at Spring Hill and taking Lewinsville Road to get to Route 7, which causes a lot of congestion at that intersection. As a result, people are cutting thru on Gallant Green to get around the backup on Lewinsville Road/Route 7 intersection. I see lots of license plates that aren't Virginia. And often these people are speeding. We have school children, people walking dogs and seniors on our street. Conditions are already unsafe. If you raise this toll, it will drive more people onto Lewinsville and subsequently Gallant Green.

152 Dobyns, Cindy A2,B1

I'd like to comment on the proposed toll increase on the Dulles Toll Road. My family moved to McLean in 1968, and I've lived here since, the last 20 years of them in the McLean Hamlet. I can personally attest to the increased numbers of cars on Lewinsville Road with commuters trying to avoid paying the tolls. I know people who live in Maryland and work in Reston. They drive on Lewinsville rather than paying for the toll road, and they certainly aren't alone. It's already a major challenge to get out of our community given the number of cars, especially during rush hour (which seems to be extending in duration). Increasing the tolls will cause additional drivers to look for alternate routes, and we don't need further traffic generated on Lewinsville Rd. The tolls are already excessive, and the toll structure needs to be modified in order to eliminate the incentive for drivers to clog the local roads. I remember when the toll road was initially proposed. The conversation then was that once the road was paid for, the tolls would be eliminated. Obviously that approach was eliminated, but perhaps it should be considered again to alleviate the horrific road conditions that we residents have to manage on a daily basis.

107 Edmondson, Jane1 A2,B1,B2A

1. Agree with the proposed allocation.2. Yes3. No opinion.4. People currently avoid the toll roll because of the tolls; when the proposed increases take effect, I fear that more people will find alternate ways to travel to avoid the tolls.That leads to congested local roads. Two suggestions:a. Currently the exit off the Toll Road to Rt. 7 west does not have a toll, (no one I spoke with at the MWAA public meeting seems to know why) but the exit for Rt. 7 east does.Many people take the Rt. 7 West exit and then do a U‐Turn at Jarrett Valley Road to head Rt. 7 East. If MWAA began to toll the Rt. 7 West exit, the increased revenue might beused to reduce the proposed toll increase. b. Many people on the Beltway coming from Maryland choose not to pay the one‐way $2.50 toll that would get them a short distance on the Toll Road to Rt. 7. Eliminate or lower the one‐way toll which would keep motorists on the main roads, and it would mean more revenue for MWAA. Currently, MWAA is not realizing any revenue from people avoiding the Toll Road and local streets are clogged.

22 Farooqi, Habib B1,B2A,B3B,B4C

1. Yes, approve.2. No Cash lanes pls, auto‐tolling preferred.3. Not necessay w/ auto‐tolling similar to I‐66.4. Road should be widened, chronic congestion spots should be looked at that cause delays during the Am & Pm rush hours.

The road otherwise is an excellent transportation portal with good speeds and generally smooth traffic flow.Also, pls add WMAAA Police should increase HOV enforcement during Am & Pm rush, existing enforcement is not sufficient. Some kind of automated technology should be employed to enforce HOV restrictions.

I have used the DTR for more than 20 years, operations have improved with the MWAA take over from the State.



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185 Freed, Michael A4

If it not too late, I'd like to suggest a few alternatives to closing the northbound ramp to 495 on Georgetown Pike during the afternood rush. For reference, I live at 7909 Foxhound Rd in McLean.1. Add a modest toll to the aforementioned 495 entrance during high traffic hours that is commensurate with the toll on the Dulles Toll Road to de‐incentivize drivers fromtaking alternate routes through neighborhood streets that cannot handle the traffic volume. 2. Eliminate tolls on the Dulles Toll Rd. to incentivize drivers to stay on the highways and away from residential areas unless those areas are actual destinations.3. I do not agree with closing on ramps/off ramps altogether. Virginia has done a great job with real‐time variable pricing to use its highways. This "willingness‐to‐pay" model gives drivers choice and maximizes all available road space for optimal travel arrangements.

37 Geddes, Thomas A4No increase! Tolls should always be reduced, not increased. This is because once a road is paid for, there is only maintenance to consider, which can likely be handled by 25 cents per vehicle.

105 Glakas, Barbara A3,B2B,B3A,B4C

1. Expand the number of tolls booths by shifting the Dulles Access Road lanes by the main toll plaza into the grassy center median strip.2. Definitely add credit card payments as one option at the main toll booths! No matter how much you try to encourage EZ‐pass, some drivers will never use it either because:a) they are out of town drivers who do not benefit from EZ‐pass, or b) they are local drivers who just prefer not to use it.3. Have all forms of payment options available at the main toll plaza: Cash, EZ‐Pass and Credit cards.4. I prefer a small gas tax over continuing to raise toll rates in order to fund Virginia transportation needs. When the toll road was first built citizens were promised that the tollwould only be in place until the bonds were paid off. Now the tolls have turned into a continual source of transportation funding. Although I do not mind paying a certain amount of “user fees” (i.e., reasonable tolls), toll rates are gradually becoming too exorbitant. 5. Have tolls paid only in one direction on the toll road at the main toll plaza(much like what is done at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge). For example, instead of paying $2.50 going east AND $2.50 going west, just pay $5.00 going east. That will decreasecosts to MWAA by having fewer toll booths to maintain and to staff. This will also help decrease traffic in the westerly direction. 6. Continue to pursue grants to off‐set the cost of tolls.

79 Glennon, Allison A4 Please don't raise the toll costs. It's already too expensive. Tolls should be eliminated.

104 Goncharov, Olga A2 Rates should not increase, they are high as is! The high cost discourages many drivers including myself to use the toll road unless absolutely necessary.



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165 Gottlieb, Joann A2I am asking you to find a way to modify the toll structure so there is no incentive for the toll road users to use Lewinsville Road. I live in McLean Hamlet and find it difficult to exit my neighborhood during morning and evening rush hours.

115 Grant, Michael2 A1,A2,A3

I have several comments in regard to the rate increase on the Dulles Toll Road:1) Reducing the Increase in Tolls. The Authority invited comments on the distribution of toll increases between the mainline plaza and ramps, but I believe it is vital that the Airports Authority do more to reduce the overall increase in toll rates for daily commuters, as these are significant increases in costs for commuters (hundreds of dollars per year), particularly those of lower‐income who have few alternatives. The Authority’s commissioned revenue study suggested that the proposed increase in tolls from $2.50/$1.00 to $3.25/$1.50 will result in a 6.4% decline in Toll Road transactions, or over 6 million fewer trips on the Toll Road in 2019 compared to 2018. These people will still be traveling butlikely flooding alternative routes, such as Route 7, Lewinsville Road, and Georgetown Pike, which will burden neighborhoods and communities. The toll assumptions are based on the need for funding to pay bonds used to construct Metrorail, but MAA really should look further at options to reduce the toll increase for daily travelers. Options to consider:a. Get some dedicated revenues from NVTC being collected from I‐66 inside the Beltway. These toll revenues are being used to support commuter choice options, and Metrorail is a commuter option in the corridor that needs funding to pay back the bonds.b. Increase the airport contribution – Airport travelers have a “free ride” on the Toll Road; the airport fees that are contributing to the Metrorail bonding should be increased commensurately with the increase in tolls for commuters.c. Turn the airport access road into an Express Lanes network where individuals who drive alone would pay a “premium” to use the lanes at guaranteed high speed. This would be similar to the I‐66 inside the Beltway lanes where tolls would increase based on market demand (they could go up to $20 or more, which some folks would pay for the guarantee of a reliable trip). These increased revenues would reduce the need to increase the basic toll on the regular lanes. This is a win‐win for everyone as the airport travelers would stillhave free access to the airport, but those with an EZ‐Pass could choose to pay to use the excess capacity in those lanes. Some slight adjustments to access points might be needed, but frankly, compared to what is being done on I‐66, this seems like a low cost option that would generate a lot of additional revenue, provide additional options for reliable travel, and help to reduce the general cost increased on the Toll Road – enhancing mobility and choices for everyone and minimizing the diversion of traffic onto Route 7 and other roads due to the high tolls. Ideally, these lanes would become part of the Express Lane network being built out across the region, and would also provide HOV‐3 with “free” (no premium toll) access in order to incentivize carpooling.

115Cont. Grant, Michael2 A1,A2,A3,B1,B4B

2) Peak and off‐peak tolls ‐ The proposed toll rate is too high for the off‐peak period, particularly at the mainline toll plaza. I live near Route 7, and even $2.50 is too high on weekends and nighttime when there is little traffic. I do not take the Toll Road if traveling during off‐peak times since it would only save a few minutes and is not worth the price; for my parents and other family who visit us and do not have EZ‐Pass, they avoid the Toll Road and just take other roads (Route 123 and Route 7), since the Toll Road saves no time at all while waiting at the plaza to simply get off at Route 7. It was ok to charge a flatrate for the toll road when tolls were $0.75 or $1 years ago, but the proposed new toll rates seem way too high for off‐peak periods. Most other toll roads (Intercounty Connector, Dulles Greenway, etc.) all have peak and off‐peak rates. MAA should get with modern technology and implement peak and off‐peak rates (Metrorail even has off‐peakrates – seems crazy that the Toll Road doesn’t differentiate the rates). 3) Changes to Mainline/Ramp toll structure – The per‐mile rate comparisons of the Dulles Toll Road to other toll road facilities is very misleading since these per‐mile rates assume that people are traveling the entire length of the highway. For me, to travel from the Beltway to the Route 7 exit, I am on the Toll Road for just about 2 miles, but must go through the mainline toll plaza. At the proposed rate of $3.25, this is over $1.60 per mile! With current technology used on all other priced highways in Northern Virginia, the toll amount paid varies based on the distance traveled, so this should be explored. In the meantime, it is clear that the simple application of a mainline toll rate and same rate at all ramps creates a much higher payment per mile for some travelers and unintended consequences. For instance, the current large discrepancy in the price between the mainline toll plaza and the ramps (which is proposed to get even larger in difference) creates an incentive to get off at Spring Hill Road to Lewinsville Road to access Route 7 Westbound, rather than pay the mainline toll. My suggestion is to reduce the difference in the tolls. Frankly, even without a distance‐based structure, a more logical rate structured that relates more closely to demand would be helpful. For instance, based on demand, I would suggest a rate of no more than a $3 toll at the mainline plaza, a $1 toll at entry/exit points in Reston/Herndon, and a $2 toll for those exiting Eastbound from the Toll Road onto Route 7 and Spring Hill Road/International Drive into Tysons in the morning during peak hours.



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118 Greyeyes, Jerod A2Do not increase the toll. I spend about $70 dollars a week on these toll roads. I have no alternatives between my home and job site. Also need to post the cost of toll on the roads like they have it on 495 south from WestPark towards 95 South.

18 Gunsolus, Anne A4

I would like to see detailed information on how the tolls collected are being spent, including a schedule of the outyears and when all of the costs associated with the building of the road have been paid for. Only in Texas have I seen where toll roads were opened (to pay for the building of the actual road), and then when the road was complete and the build paid for, the tolls removed. I realize there are operations and maintenance costs after the actual building of the road, but I would expect those costs to be lower therefore tolls to actually be reduced in the outyears.

163 Haines, Ann A2Please modify the toll structure to eliminate the lines and lines of cars that traverse Lewinsville Road ‐ particularly during the morning and evening rush hours. It takes forever for us to get out of our McLean Hamlet neighborhood ‐ and becoming increasingly more dangerous with the large volumes of cars.

148 Hall, Lynn A2

There has been a marked increase of vehicular traffic on Lewinsville Road, particularly during the morning and evening commuting windows. As development continues, drivers are increasingly looking for alternative routes to avoid tolls and congestion. The Spring Hill, Lewinsville, Swinks Mill and Balls Hill roads are increasingly backed up.

Please support toll structure changes to eliminate incentive for drivers using Lewinsville Road. Given the placement of the road in front of a Rec Center and elementary school regularly frequented by children and other foot and bicycle traffic, neighborhood traffic entering and exiting from both sides of the road, curves, shifting lanes for cycles, turns and through traffic, it is not a route that can safely carry the volume of traffic currently utilizing the road.

184 Hanley, John A3 On the money, Rob. This email was in reply to the e‐mail as submitted by Rob Whitfield shown in comment #183.

67 Harris, Gordon1 A2,B1,B4ATraffic from Loudoun County cuts through Great Falls. The roads in G.F. were not designed for the amount of traffic we currently have. If the toll increases, more cars will cut through neighborhood streets. A perfect solution currently exists. If a car has a smart tag and enters the toll road at Route 7 heading for the Beltway the Smart Tag could charge only $1.00 for that short distance. People want to avoid TYSONS Traffic. They should not be made to pay $2.50 or $3.75 to go to or from Rte 7 & the Beltway!

186 Hatami, Terry A2Please eliminate the reduced fee on Springhill entrance to Dulles Access road. This is causing enormous problems for us leaving by the Lewinsville Rd, having kids at Springhill School and working on Tyco Rd.

62 Hatfield, Chris A2I'm curious as to what the justification is for a $1.25 increase in tolls. I already pay $3.50 each way…you're talking about $4.75/trip which of course is $9.50 for those regular 9‐5 commuters. I don't see any improvement to the roadway. You haven't even planted flowers to beautify my trip. I am very much opposed to this increase.

30 Henle, Marrianne A4 If you increase again, I'm afraid people will stop using it and clog the other roads.

173 Hochberg, Jory A2

I have lived in McLean Hamlet for more than 25 years and I have become increasingly angry and upset over how the toll road negatively impacts the neighborhoods along the toll road such as mine. Not unexpectedly, the last increase in tolls encouraged drivers to use local streets rather than pay to drive along a road that should have been a community assets, rather than a liability. In particular, the additional fee required at the plaza, causes drivers to get off at the Spring Hill exit and use Lewinsville and Spring Hill roads, which are not equipped to handle these cars. By way of comparison, cities and municipalities give communities adversely affected by building development special parking permits that alleviate the parking congestion cause by development. How about making the Spring Hill exit more expensive than the plaza, and allowing residents along this corridor to request reimbursement for the tolls spent using the Spring Hill exit? This would serve to alleviate the problems cause by the toll road, rather than putting the principal burden of that road on these residents.



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126 Holland, Kent A2

To whom it may concern:

Please accept the points I make in the email below as comments to be considered regarding the tolling rates and system of the Dulles Toll Road.

I reside in McLean Hunt on Bridle Path Lane which intersects Lewinsville Road. As explained below, I believe one of the easiest and most equitable ways to improve the traffic situation for Lewinsville Rd and our community is to put in a toll booth for the Rte 7 West Exit from the Toll Road.

Thank you for considering this comment.

I just read the attached very long letter by the Lewinsville Coalition concerning the toll disparities and the impact on our neighborhoods. It barely mentions one of the key disparities in the toll system that I believe increases the unnecessary traffic on our local roads, as I explain below.

The FREE EXIT for westbound Route 7 adds greatly to our traffic.In case anyone in our neighborhood hasn't already figured out how to avoid paying to use the Dulles Toll Road when coming home from places like Reston and other places to the west of us, it is just simply a matter of exiting at the Route 7 exit going west (FOR FREE) instead of getting off at Route 7 east or Rte 123 ‐‐ and having to pay.

I've never understood why there is no toll for drivers that get off on Route 7 going west, while those of us wanting to go east have to pay. Perhaps there was an influential politician living out that insisted on not having to pay tolls. I honestly can't think of any legitimate reason.

But in any event, like many sensible, frugal people, I just get off the toll road at Rte 7 going west for a short distance to Lewinsville Rd, and then circle back to our community by turning right on Lewinsville and crossing over Spring Hill Rd. to get to McLean Hunt. It adds only a few minutes and saves a lot of money. If you aren't already doing this, it is a great money saver!

54 Hooker, Melody A4 Strongly disagree to the cost increase.

21 Ikramullah, Azam A3,B2C,B3A,B4D

There should be no toll increase, instead the board should focus their efforts on securing state and federal funds. In addition, there should not be open road tolling implemented on DTR. This would cost significant funds for no demonstrable benefit. This will also block the ability to conduct dynamic congestion based tolling, which could leave service workers stranded with exorbitant toll prices. Credit cards should be accepted, only if there is no additional charge for their use. Operational improvements may be approved only if they do not increase tolls.



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28 Jackino, David B1,B4C

So, you propose ANOTHER huge toll hike, with no real road improvements, to fund Phase II of the Silver Line? If you get this ridiculous hike, they will have risen close to 700% in less than 12 years. How about a smaller toll hike we can live with: $3 at the mainline, and $1.25 at the exit ramps for ezpass users (heck frequent users like me should get a discount like other toll authorities offer). Pass on the full toll hike you want to the Luddites who still insist on paying in cash, in big bills, and want receipts. Go cashless, take their license pics and send them the bill.

Everyone is against this toll hike except MWAA. The Toll Road and privately owned Greenway are expensive enough already. The latter does not even have a quick way to get thru the main plaza and the toll pricing there is worse.

The DTR needs work, lots of work and little has been done beyond things related to toll collection (more ezpass lanes in Tysons are appreciated). 1. The road needs an additional lane from Wiehle to FFX Cty Pkwy, or at a minimum continuous entry/exit lanes off Wiehle, Reston Pkwy, and 286, especiall westbound in thePM2. More aggressive ticketing of HOV cheaters. If you confront them, they get angry and flip you off. I HOV and find this annoying. How about an HOV discount and dedicatedbooth? I ride for free on 66. 3. VA 28 exit N. at PM rush hour is a joke. The ramp needs widening out past the booths and the merge onto 28.4. Find a way to get a third lane eastbound THRU to 123, the nonsense of being cut off on the left under the Beltway is dangerous. VA 123 exit east is also a disaster and needswork.

Instead we get "upgraded toll booths" so you can stick it to us good with variable pricing.

ENOUGH TOLL HIKES MWAA. Phase II is a boondoggle and is already over budget and late (nice concrete work).



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111 Jin, Sherry A2,B1,B4A

Executive Summary● The $2.50 toll imposed at the Mainline Plaza Toll (MPT) is causing drivers traversing a short stretch of the Dulles Toll Road between I‐495 and Route 7 to instead use residential streets as a cut through. These “short hop” drivers are overloading residential streets with commuter traffic, creating an unsafe and unpleasant situation for local residents.● Increasing the toll to $3.25 for the “short hop” drivers will lead more of them to avoid the Dulles Toll Road. Their increased use of neighborhood cut through routes will cost the Metropolitan Airport Authority (MWAA) even more revenue, and will make the nearby local roads even more congested and hazardous. The toll should be lowered, not raised, for these short hop drivers. That will lead more of them back to the Dulles Toll Road, increasing revenue for MWAA, and reducing neighborhood cut through traffic.Toll Rate AnomalyA driver traveling I‐495 north or south who wants to reach Route 7 via the Dulles Toll Road must pay $2.50 per car at the MPT. This toll is high, considering the commuter will travel only 1.7 miles on the Dulles Toll Road. Likewise, a $2.50 toll must be paid for the reverse trip from Route 7 to I‐495, creating a $5.00 / day roundtrip total. MWAA proposes to increase this toll even higher to $3.25 each way, or $6.50 a day. This situation is faced by commuters from points south and west in Virginia and from Maryland. If they wish to use the Dulles Toll Road as a convenient interchange between Route 7 and I‐495, they must pay the full MPT toll for a short hop of 1.7 miles.The Great EscapeLong‐haul commuters on the Dulles Toll Road may be willing to pay increased toll rates, but these short hop commuters are already refusing to pay the current toll. They haveavailable cut through routes via the local residential roads between I 495 and Route 7. For instance, a popular option for morning Maryland commuters is to exit I 495 at Georgetown Pike, and then reach Route 7 via Swinks Mill Road to Lewinsville to Route 7. Another popular option is to take the same exit, but then traverse Bellview Road toTowlston Road to Route 7. These routes are all reversible for the afternoon trip home or for commuters from points west in Virginia headed to I 495. For instance, a commuter from Reston can go fromRoute 7 to Towlston Road to Bellview Road to reach Georgetown Pike and the entrance to I‐495. It is also possible to evade the toll when headed for I 495 south by continuing on Route 7 through Tyson’s Corner to the I‐495 ramps at either Dolly Madison Boulevard or Route 123. This situation worsens traffic in the Tyson’s Corner area, making it aless desirable place to live, work or shop. These are just a few examples of the cut through options. Although the Dulles Toll Road connection would be faster than the cut through options, the pain is not great.Because commuters navigating the local roads are able to continue their general eastward or westward movement, they do not lose an inordinate amount of time.



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111Cont.

Jin, Sherry A2,B1,B4A

Why Is It Suddenly A Problem?When the toll rate was $0.75, it was not worth the effort to use neighborhood cut through routes to avoid the MPT toll. When the rate was raised to $2.50, circa 2013, it became worthwhile for many commuters. They have proven their unwillingness to pay the toll by increasingly flooding the residential roads. If the MPT toll is raised again from $2.50 to $3.25, that will worsen the situation. It will increase the incentive for short hop drivers to take to the neighborhood streets to evade the MPT toll.The Toll Rate Study Does Not Consider The IssueThe Dulles Toll Road Comprehensive Traffic and Revenue Study (2018 Update) estimates the potential impact of the toll increase on Dulles Toll Road revenues, including the increase of the MPT toll from $2.50 to $3.25 per car. The study concludes that Dulles Toll Road users are relatively insensitive to rate increases, and so the proposed increases will likely be accepted.That may be true for long‐haul commuters who travel the length of the Dulles Toll Road or who live in the Reston or Herndon areas. The study failed, however, to consider lost revenue from the short hop commuters who only want to connect from Route 7 to I‐495 or vice versa. As just discussed, these short hop commuters have a realistic escape. Thousands of short hop drivers every day refuse to pay $2.50 MPT toll. If the MPT toll is raised to $3.25, even more of these drivers will find it worthwhile to evade it. The study fails to consider how revenue MWAA may lose from short hop drivers if the toll increases to $3.25, or conversely, how much revenue might be gained if a new lower rate could be applied exclusively to short hop drivers.Possible SolutionsMWAA no doubt can determine how best to solve this problem. We did some brainstorming and came up with a few ideas:● Create dedicated Route 7 entrance/exit lanes. Each car in the lane would pay a low toll (e.g., $0.75 or $1.00) and be physically constrained to exit Route 7 (to prevent cheating). ● Use an overhead detector for E‐Z pass commuters, to track who is entering and exi ng route 7, giving these cars a pre‐defined credit against the MPT.● Reduce the MPT for all cars but allocate an increased amount to ramps beyond Route 7.● Move the MPT beyond Route 7.ConclusionIf, instead of raising the toll, a lower toll rate could be applied exclusively to the short hop commuters, a large number would probably return to the Dulles Toll Road to savetime, thereby increasing MWAA revenue. Taking this step also would be a big help in removing thousands of daily commuters from nearby residential streets, therebyimproving local quality of life. We urge MWAA to eliminate this toll anomaly for the benefit of all concerned.

38Johnson USN (Ret),

Capt. Jeff W.A2,A3,B2A,B3A

While I understand that periodic increases on the Dulles Toll Road are part of the financing and maintenance of the Silver Line Metrorail from Falls Church to Loudoun County, I respectfully request that more of this financial burden fall on the actual users of the Metrorail system. As a retiree living on a fixed income in Reston/Fairfax County, I find the proposed 50‐cent increase at the ramp plazas and 75‐cent increase at the mainline plaza excessive. Given all the residential and commercial development occurring alone the Dulles Corridor from Tysons Corner to Loudoun County, I recommend that additional Metrorail revenue be raised through increased Metrorail Monday‐Friday commuter fees and a tax imposed on residential apartment/condominium owners and commercial businesses within one mile on the North and South sides of the Dulles Toll Road. This makes sense since these owners and businesses are directly benefiting financially from their tenants/customers close access to Metrorail's Silver Line. I also recommend that the Dulles Toll Road in the future require all users to have an E‐ZPass or credit card for use through the toll ramps and plazas. This would save the labor costs at each toll ramp/plaza and management of collecting hundreds of dollars of cash daily on the Dulles Toll Road.



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131 Jones, Diane A2

We live on Bellview Road which is a direct connect via navigation apps from Rt 7 and on to Old Dominion Road and Georgetown Pike. We presently have more than 1,700 cars, busses, trucks that traffic that little two lane road with 5 hills and blind spots and complete road erosion and potholes. This increase would be an absolute nightmare and increase the number of head on collisions, accidents and fatalities/injuries that are already documented. The increased fees will send more commuters on this unsafe road. Anything that can be addressed in the operational improvements will avoid this nightmare for not only the residents, but the commuters.

48 Jones, Lisa A2,B2C,B3A

1. I work in Bethesda and live in Vienna off of the Wolf Trap exit. If I take the toll road I'm on it for a very short period of time and unfortunately have to go through the main plaza, 3.25 is a large toll to pay for only going a couple of miles. With ridiculous tolls on 66 (usually $40 dollars to go into DC) and continuing to increase the tolls on the DullesToll road more and more people will continue to use the neighborhood streets and create congestion in areas that were not meant for high traffic areas. Increasing tolls forcespeople not to use those roads which does not help the already terrible traffic situation we have in our area. 2. Not accepting cash seems like a bad idea since a lot of people don't use the toll roads regularly, especially if prices continue to increase3. Accepting credit cards is a very logical step to improve the customer experience4. Overall I think the transit authority needs to find a better solution to help with traffic. Right now metro is a terrible option due to the consistent delays, the price, and thelack of parking at the metro stations. This forces more people on the roads, and the increase of tolls is only leading to more traffic in neighborhoods. We should look at other large cities nationwide and in other countries which seem to have their transit systems working much more functionally.

95 Kamara, Aba3 A2,A3

I work at the Dulles Airport, and the situation on this toll, the rise in the toll situation, is very, very hard. I can say really for the ordinary workers, low‐wage workers, we are the ones that make the bulk of the population working at the airport. So this has a great effect in this has to take effect, the raise in this particular toll, because I live in Maryland. I have most of my friends also living within the community like Herndon, even Ashburn, and so they all drive through the toll. So this increase will create a lot distress, because the wages we are being paid is very low. So an increase in this would cause a very, very great impact and negative effect on we that have to work in the airport at low wages. And United, the big airline that owns the airport, is making maybe $4 million a year tax break. So we think they will be able to handle that situation so that life will be much better for we, the low‐wage workers. So we are feeling that the situation would be put under control by United. They have the money. They will be able to settle up these things so that life will be better for we, the low‐wage workers. So that's all I have to say. Thank you.

40 Kashyap, Vinay A1How about increasing the tolls once the metrorail is in operation, so there's less impact on commuters? Also, improve HOV enforcement on the toll road. There are too many violators which impact valid users of the HOV lanes and negates the impact of these lanes.



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106 Keeler, Barb A1This is highway robbery. When the toll road was built we, the local residents were told the tolls would be in place about 10 years, just long enough to pay off the road. Then the tolls were raised (for repairs or widening or something, it's been awhile since the tolls were $.25.) This is an unfair tax on the local citizens who are taxed every time they drive out of the neighborhood. Citizens should stand up and holler "Highway robbery!" Don't penalize people for living here.

190 Kendall, Timothy A2,B2B

As to the first question: I have simply been priced off the DTR, before the proposed gouging even takes place. If I use it it is always (and will always be) under extreme duress. I simply cannot afford it on a regular basis, even as things are today. And I have never, ever driven on the so‐called "Greenway."

As to the second: I hope to use Metro in the Dulles Corridor, but given the state of it now and in the foreseeable future, I dare not plan on using it. I wish I could, but I cannot. For this reason, I have largely had to give up attending events of any kind in Washington. Luckily, I don't work there.

Q1: I have no opinion on this. It makes assumptions (such as that all this tolling is in any way justifiable) to which I cannot subscribe. I am old enough to remember when it was promised that tolls would be lifted outright when the road bonds were paid off. Instead, it has become a "cash cow" for projects (and, inevitably, for the profit coffers of whatever private, for‐profit corporation will end up "owning" the DTR or leasing it for 99 years). Necessary infrastructure should be funded by taxes. (Notice: I used that word and was not struck dead by a lightning bolt.) Using DTR tolls for Metro construction makes the preposterous assumption that only Dulles Corridor residents and businesses will use the Silver Line (and the rest of the Metro, which I don't doubt will benefit from these tolls). This amounts to selective, discriminatory taxation instead of general taxation that should support these projects. (There. I said it again.) If WMATA really wants to to add major insult to injury, just use some of this toll money for the profits of private corporations.

Q2: I would greatly appreciate it if a cash option were available for such "circumstances of duress" as may force me to use the road. I do not need to be tracked in any more databases, thanks.

Q3: I use credit cards only when absolutely necessary, so I don't care about this unless you convert the cash lanes to credit‐card only. That I would strenuously object to. I've been the victim of credit‐card‐related ID theft twice, and I do not doubt that if I used them more, it would happen more.

Q4: The only "operational improvement" that should be made is the lifting of tolls as originally promised, and the continued funding of the DTR and the Metro (and whatever other project stand to benefit from the DTR tolls ... anything except private profits) from taxes. (There. I said it a third time. Still no lightning bolt.)

85 Kenny, Peter A4

So many years ago the Toll road was set up to serve Dulles, however the toll road also created the wealth of housing and business in Loudoun. Now the plan to use the toll road to pay for the silver line is quite ridicules’ what’s next we do bonds for Loudoun water as the toll road is a cash cow?

At what point does the Metro rail become viable? The economy in Loudoun is really doing well, Metro is not going to bring low income people to the work force, they wont be able to afford the fairs? However the plan is to use tolls to cover that as the dept increases and the service crumbles from allowing a disjointed system to run across two states and our capital City without reliable funding, there must be a punch line there!

The law makers who work in DC don’t use the Metro, they use drivers and government vehicles, rather than holding the work force hostage the federal government should be safe guarding Metro as we have the most federally funded monuments and buildings the US people should have access to with a reliable, affordable transit system

26 Khan, Namra A4 The cost of Dulles Toll Road should not be increased.



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137 Khan, Nasir A2I whole heartedly support the action that leads to less congestion on Lewinsville. This is not good to send more traffic to a place that is surrounded by homes and kids. I am not in support of any such action, so pls consider other options as its not a good one to increase traffic here.

39 Kidwell, Grant B2A,B3A,B4C

1. The proposed increased of $1.25 and in the cost of a typical trip should not occur. Taxing drivers to bailout the incompetence of WMATA is not the route to go. WMATA needs to provide reliable and consistent service, get a handle on its ever rising labor costs, and reform the nepotism in its hiring and firing processes. Its a transportationsystem, not a welfare program. 2. Yes, convert to EZ pass only or open road tolling.3. Yes, accept credit cards if we cannot move to EZ pass only or open tolling.4. Give discounts to those that carpool.

129 Kim, John A2,B1 I am a resident of the McLean Hunt Estate Subdivision. I ask MWAA to modify the toll structure to eliminate the incentive for using Lewinsville Road.

174 King, Robert & Kary A2

My wife and I want to register our extremely serious concern about the proposal to increase tolls on the Dulles Toll Road. We live in McLean and have resided here for nearly 40 years, and we have seen significant changes in the area during that time.

The most difficult issue in this area is the absolutely stiffling traffic during morning and evening rush hours. Unfortunately much of it is traffic that is being funneled onto side streets which are not engineered to handle the increased volume. In particular Lewinsville Road has horrific traffic, making it difficult to use the road during any rush hour. This in turn has contributed to the Lewinsville Road‐‐Route 123 interchange to one of the most congested intersections in Metro Washington.

Traffic should focus on keeping through traffic on toll roads and larger throughways that will move traffic more quickly. Increasing tolls will only encourage drivers to use Lewinsville Road, Old Dominion Drive, and other side streets in residential areas.

Absolutely under no circumstances should toll charges be increased. The objective of the Toll Road should be to carry as much traffic through this area, not to provide increased revenue to the Airports Authority while creating serious traffic congestion on local streets.

25 Klein, David A2 If you raise the rates again, it is very likely that I will stop using the toll road and just use other roads instead.

164 Knee, Treyce A2

I live in McLean Hamlet on elsinore ave. Please do not increase the Dulles toll road fees. The toll road charges are already expensive enough. Any increase will discourage toll road use and increase traffic on free roads. It is already so difficult and dangerous for us to get out of our neighborhood onto lewinsville road to get to work and school. I have new drivers who are already terrified of the traffic. It takes me 1 hour to get to work which is only 10 miles away in DC. 1/2 that time is spent on lewinsville, old dominion or chain bridge rd just trying to get out of McLean. This time increased another 15 minutes when the tolls recently went into place on 66 and made traffic worse not better as proposed. Please don't add to the already horrific congestion and dangerous traffic on lewinsville which is a cut through and free option to the toll road. Thanks for listening to our concerns.

182 Knoerr, Donna A2I am writing to protest the suggested toll increases for the Dulles Toll Road. It is bad enough now with all the traffic on Lewinsville Road because the commuters don't want to pay the existing tolls. I live in McLean Hamlet and it often takes me 10 minutes to be able to turn onto Lewinsville Road so I can do my errands, keep medical appointments, etc. The commuters need some relief ‐ not increased tolls.



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136 Kohn, Nick A2Please please don't do this. Every morning I almost get hit by cars on Lewinsville Rd as I try to exit my neighborhood because cars are avoiding the toll road. Increasing rates will just make traffic higher and make it that much more dangerous.

132 Kriznic, Ivana A2,B1The real issues are how the increases should be allocated (toll plaza vs. ramps) to discourage drivers to use Lewinsville Road in order to avoid going through the main toll plaza. We love our neighborhood, we want our children playing on the streets, not the danger of speeding cars from other counties or states that see our neighborhood and the Lewinsville Road as a toll by‐pass.

139Kucbel, Gladys (and

Joseph)A2,B1

Many drivers going over the speed limit and wanting to avoid the main toll plaza are using Lewinsville Road, making it very difficult for us to get out of our neighborhoods, especially during the morning and evening peak travel periods. Therefore, please modify the toll structure to eliminate the incentive for using Lewinsville Road. Your ugent attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated.

172 Kuleski, Elizabeth A2

The increase in tolls will add financial strain to my family. I commute to Arlington each day from Ashburn. The nearest metro is at least three miles from my place of work. As an elementary educator, I carry multiple large bags each day, making it difficult to take public transportation, especially since I would have to drive to a metro station, take the train, then take a bus, then walk almost a mile to my place of work. We moved out to Ashburn trusting that Gov. McAuliffe (spelling?) would provide alternatives to toll roads. That did not happen and now I pay hefty tolls on a daily basis. Please take people like me into consideration ... a middle class worker that moved out of Arlington open space, green spaces, and affordable housing for a growing family. The continuous increase in tolls will push us out of the area and that really makes me sad as I love my neighbors, my neighborhood, and the slower pace that Loudoun has to offer. Please don't raise the toll. Thank you for your time and consideration.

156 Lane, Derek A1,B3A

Related to item 1: While it seems reasonable to expect minor toll increases over time, it seems unfair for regular drivers of the toll road to shoulder the financial burden of building the Metro extension from which they may, or may not, benefit. I am not sure if this is actually the case, but it seems that it should be a bond issue, or a tax increase, shared by the participating counties.

Related to item 3: Maybe also consider implementing Google Pay, Apple Pay, or other electronic payment systems, in addition to credit cards.

Related to item 4: I would like to propose a traffic review of the posted speed limit along the toll road. The average speed of traffic (at least during the weekdays) is regularly 10‐15 mph higher than the posted limit of 55 mph. The flow of traffic can be dangerously affected if even one or two vehicles are traveling at the posted limit, while other vehicles attempt to maneuver around them.

13 Lang, Luna B1,B2C,B3BA) I am against all 1‐4.B) Stop charging motorcycles for tolls.

55 Lawhead, Lynne A2,B1,B2A,B3A

1. Allocate the increase at the exit ramps vs the main toll plaza2. Convert all lanes to EZ Pass3. accept credit cards4. No more increase in fares. The increase in fares will drive traffic onto local roads!



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101 Lawrence, Timarie A2Tolls are high enough! Our COLA (cost of living allowance) is high enough. We live out here where it's reasonable, but the continued increase of tolls make it difficult to afford the basics life style. We already pinch our pennies. Unless there is going to be a guarantee of less traffic congestion there is no reason for any increases in tolls!

150 Le, Hoan A2,B1I live in McLean Hamlet off Lewinsville Road. My request is for MWAA to modify the toll structure to eliminate drivers' incentive to use Lewinsville Road to avoid tolls which causes extra congestion for our community.

9 Lee, Ju Yup B4C Should be free for motorcycles

112 Li, Yang A2,B1,B4A

Executive SummaryThe $2.50 toll imposed at the Mainline Plaza Toll (MPT) is causing drivers traversing a short stretch of the Dulles Toll Road between I‐495 and Route 7 to instead use residential streets as a cut through. These “short hop” drivers are overloading residential streets with commuter traffic, creating an unsafe and unpleasant situation for local residents. Increasing the toll to $3.25 for the “short hop” drivers will lead more of them to avoid the Dulles Toll Road. Their increased use of neighborhood cut through routes will cost the Metropolitan Airport Authority (MWAA) even more revenue, and will make the nearby local roads even more congested and hazardous. The toll should be lowered, not raised, for these short hop drivers. That will lead more of them back to the Dulles Toll Road, increasing revenue for MWAA, and reducing neighborhood cut through traffic.Toll Rate AnomalyA driver traveling I‐495 north or south who wants to reach Route 7 via the Dulles Toll Road must pay $2.50 per car at the MPT. This toll is high, considering the commuter will travel only 1.7 miles on the Dulles Toll Road. Likewise, a $2.50 toll must be paid for the reverse trip from Route 7 to I‐495, creating a $5.00 / day roundtrip total. MWAA proposes to increase this toll even higher to $3.25 each way, or $6.50 a day. This situation is faced by commuters from points south and west in Virginia and from Maryland. If they wish to use the Dulles Toll Road as a convenient interchange between Route 7 and I‐495, they must pay the full MPT toll for a short hop of 1.7 miles.The Great EscapeLong‐haul commuters on the Dulles Toll Road may be willing to pay increased toll rates, but these short hop commuters are already refusing to pay the current toll. They have available cut through routes via the local residential roads between I‐495 and Route 7. For instance, a popular option for morning Maryland commuters is to exit I‐495 at Georgetown Pike, and then reach Route 7 via Swinks Mill Road to Lewinsville to Route 7. Another popular option is to take the same exit, but then traverse Bellview Road to Towlston Road to Route 7.These routes are all reversible for the afternoon trip home or for commuters from points west in Virginia headed to I‐495. For instance, a commuter from Reston can go from Route 7 to Towlston Road to Bellview Road to reach Georgetown Pike and the entrance to I‐495. It is also possible to evade the toll when headed for I‐495 south by continuing on Route 7 through Tyson’s Corner to the I‐495 ramps at either Dolly Madison Boulevard or Route 123. This situation worsens traffic in the Tyson’s Corner area, making it a less desirable place to live, work or shop. These are just a few examples of the cut through options. Although the Dulles Toll Road connection would be faster than the cut through options, the pain is not great. Because commuters navigating the local roads are able to continue their general eastward or westward movement, they do not lose an inordinate amount of time.



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112Cont.

Li, Yang A2,B1,B4A

Why Is It Suddenly A Problem?When the toll rate was $0.75, it was not worth the effort to use neighborhood cut through routes to avoid the MPT toll. When the rate was raised to $2.50, circa 2013, it became worthwhile for many commuters. They have proven their unwillingness to pay the toll by increasingly flooding the residential roads. If the MPT toll is raised again from $2.50 to $3.25, that will worsen the situation. It will increase the incentive for short hop drivers to take to the neighborhood streets to evade the MPT toll.The Toll Rate Study Does Not Consider The IssueThe Dulles Toll Road Comprehensive Traffic and Revenue Study (2018 Update) estimates the potential impact of the toll increase on Dulles Toll Road revenues, including the increase of the MPT toll from $2.50 to $3.25 per car. The study concludes that Dulles Toll Road users are relatively insensitive to rate increases, and so the proposed increases will likely be accepted. That may be true for long‐haul commuters who travel the length of the Dulles Toll Road or who live in the Reston or Herndon areas. The study failed, however, to consider lost revenue from the short hop commuters who only want to connect from Route 7 to I‐495 or vice versa. As just discussed, these short hop commuters have a realistic escape. Thousands of short hop drivers every day refuse to pay $2.50 MPT toll. If the MPT toll is raised to $3.25, even more of these drivers will find it worthwhile to evade it. The study fails to consider how revenue MWAA may lose from short hop drivers if the toll increases to $3.25, or conversely, how much revenue might be gained if a new lower rate could be applied exclusively to short hop drivers.Possible SolutionsMWAA no doubt can determine how best to solve this problem. We did some brainstorming and came up with a few ideas:● Create dedicated Route 7 entrance/exit lanes. Each car in the lane would pay a low toll (e.g., $0.75 or $1.00) and be physically constrained to exit Route 7 (to prevent cheating).● Use an overhead detector for E‐Z pass commuters, to track who is entering and exi ng route 7, giving these cars a pre‐defined credit against the MPT.● Reduce the MPT for all cars but allocate an increased amount to ramps beyond Route 7.● Move the MPT beyond Route 7.ConclusionIf, instead of raising the toll, a lower toll rate could be applied exclusively to the short hop commuters, a large number would probably return to the Dulles Toll Road to savetime, thereby increasing MWAA revenue. Taking this step also would be a big help in removing thousands of daily commuters from nearby residential streets, therebyimproving local quality of life. We urge MWAA to eliminate this toll anomaly for the benefit of all concerned.



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113 Li, Yang A2,B1,B4A

Executive SummaryThe $2.50 toll imposed at the Mainline Plaza Toll (MPT) is causing drivers traversing a short stretch of the Dulles Toll Road between I‐495 and Route 7 to instead use residential streets as a cut through. These “short hop” drivers are overloading residential streets with commuter traffic, creating an unsafe and unpleasant situation for local residents.Increasing the toll to $3.25 for the “short hop” drivers will lead more of them to avoid the Dulles Toll Road. Their increased use of neighborhood cut through routes will cost the Metropolitan Airport Authority (MWAA) even more revenue, and will make the nearby local roads even more congested and hazardous. The toll should be lowered, not raised, for these short hop drivers. That will lead more of them back to the Dulles Toll Road, increasing revenue for MWAA, and reducing neighborhood cut through traffic.Toll Rate AnomalyA driver traveling I‐495 north or south who wants to reach Route 7 via the Dulles Toll Road must pay $2.50 per car at the MPT. This toll is high, considering the commuter will travel only 1.7 miles on the Dulles Toll Road. Likewise, a $2.50 toll must be paid for the reverse trip from Route 7 to I‐495, creating a $5.00 / day roundtrip total. MWAA proposes to increase this toll even higher to $3.25 each way, or $6.50 a day. This situation is faced by commuters from points south and west in Virginia and from Maryland. If they wish to use the Dulles Toll Road as a convenient interchange between Route 7 and I‐495, they must pay the full MPT toll for a short hop of 1.7 miles.The Great EscapeLong‐haul commuters on the Dulles Toll Road may be willing to pay increased toll rates, but these short hop commuters are already refusing to pay the current toll. They have available cut through routes via the local residential roads between I‐495 and Route 7. For instance, a popular option for morning Maryland commuters is to exit I‐495 at Georgetown Pike, and then reach Route 7 via Swinks Mill Road to Lewinsville to Route 7. Another popular option is to take the same exit, but then traverse Bellview Road to Towlston Road to Route 7.These routes are all reversible for the afternoon trip home or for commuters from points west in Virginia headed to I‐495. For instance, a commuter from Reston can go from Route 7 to Towlston Road to Bellview Road to reach Georgetown Pike and the entrance to I‐495. It is also possible to evade the toll when headed for I‐495 south by continuing on Route 7 through Tyson’s Corner to the I‐495 ramps at either Dolly Madison Boulevard or Route 123. This situation worsens traffic in the Tyson’s Corner area, making it a less desirable place to live, work or shop.These are just a few examples of the cut through options. Although the Dulles Toll Road connection would be faster than the cut through options, the pain is not great. Because commuters navigating the local roads are able to continue their general eastward or westward movement, they do not lose an inordinate amount of time.



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113Cont.

Li, Yang A2,B1,B4A

Why Is It Suddenly A Problem?When the toll rate was $0.75, it was not worth the effort to use neighborhood cut through routes to avoid the MPT toll. When the rate was raised to $2.50, circa 2013, it became worthwhile for many commuters. They have proven their unwillingness to pay the toll by increasingly flooding the residential roads. If the MPT toll is raised again from $2.50 to $3.25, that will worsen the situation. It will increase the incentive for short hop drivers to take to the neighborhood streets to evade the MPT toll.The Toll Rate Study Does Not Consider The Issue The Dulles Toll Road Comprehensive Traffic and Revenue Study (2018 Update) estimates the potential impact of the toll increase on Dulles Toll Road revenues, including the increase of the MPT toll from $2.50 to $3.25 per car. The study concludes that Dulles Toll Road users are relatively insensitive to rate increases, and so the proposed increases will likely be accepted.That may be true for long‐haul commuters who travel the length of the Dulles Toll Road or who live in the Reston or Herndon areas. The study failed, however, to consider lost revenue from the short hop commuters who only want to connect from Route 7 to I‐495 or vice versa. As just discussed, these short hop commuters have a realistic escape. Thousands of short hop drivers every day refuse to pay $2.50 MPT toll. If the MPT toll is raised to $3.25, even more of these drivers will find it worthwhile to evade it. The study fails to consider how revenue MWAA may lose from short hop drivers if the toll increases to $3.25, or conversely, how much revenue might be gained if a new lower rate could be applied exclusively to short hop drivers.Possible SolutionsMWAA no doubt can determine how best to solve this problem. We did some brainstorming and came up with a few ideas:● Create dedicated Route 7 entrance/exit lanes. Each car in the lane would pay a low toll (e.g., $0.75 or $1.00) and be physically constrained to exit Route 7 (to prevent cheating).● Use an overhead detector for E‐Z pass commuters, to track who is entering and exi ng route 7, giving these cars a pre‐defined credit against the MPT.● Reduce the MPT for all cars but allocate an increased amount to ramps beyond Route 7.● Move the MPT beyond Route 7.ConclusionIf, instead of raising the toll, a lower toll rate could be applied exclusively to the short hop commuters, a large number would probably return to the Dulles Toll Road to savetime, thereby increasing MWAA revenue. Taking this step also would be a big help in removing thousands of daily commuters from nearby residential streets, therebyimproving local quality of life. We urge MWAA to eliminate this toll anomaly for the benefit of all concerned.



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154 Lohmann, Norelle B3A

I disagree and don't think that there should be any increase, given that this road was initially only to be tolled to pay for the infrastructure and was originally meant to become a free road after a given period of time. The fact that they are still attempting to do charge us even after the cost has been more than paid for is extortion and unfair given that there is no other direct route that we can take ‐ if there was, then it would be reasonable to have a toll road as well. Given that there is not you are essentially forcing people to pay a toll because they have no other option and making them go an extraordinary distance out of their way just to avoid the toll is really just highway robbery, no pun intended. I, for one, will not be taking the toll road any longer even with the significantly longer commute if the toll is raised. I cannot take the metro as I have a health condition that makes it unwise for me to try to utilise the metro alone, but I absolutely refuse to be robbed of more of my money just because the officials in charge of the toll roads have decided to see what more they can eke out of the population past going back on their word.

I think that it is unreasonable to assume that everyone will have a credit card or be at the residence that is listed on the car's registration. What happens if my car is out for servicing and I am borrowing a relative's car or a courtesy vehicle? I would want to pay via cash or credit. I think it is wonderful that they want to additionally offer a credit option since people do run out of cash, but some people simply do not have credit or debit cards and feel comfortable operating in cash. It is unfair to those people to tell them that they cannot use the road without having to worry about a bill that may go to the wrong place and then they would be in legal trouble over a couple of dollars that they could have paid then and not worried about. It is also easier to pay at the location and then not worry than to worry about when a bill will arrive and if you will miss it because you are out of town or if something else arises. It is unreasonable and quite frankly it makes me upset that the newer toll roads are doing this.

117 Malcolm, Mark A4Believe your projectons of commuter acceptance are way too high. Though residents of Fairfax and Loudoun Counties may be considered "wealthy" the value of time versus cost is weighted more to cost than your studies suggest. $3.50 each way is already high...$4.75 is simply too high except on an exceptional basis. Suggest permit EZ‐Pass Flex use so that HOV‐3 cars in 2022 do not pay the toll. Not useful to us directly; but warranted.

141 Marano, Rocco A3,B2B

I would like to comment on the proposed changes to the tolls on the Dulles Toll Road. First of all, I feel the tolls are already way too high. When I go back to my native NY and drive on the NYS Thruway, I can go from my hometown exit 21B to Albany which is 17.4 miles for $0.85 and it seems like it’s been that fee for a long, long time. You can drive the whole 494.9 miles of the Thruway for $21.61 (with a NYS EZPass). This comes out to $0.0436 /mi.

Yet here in VA, you are currently charging $3.50 from Reston thru the Main Toll Plaza, which is $0.4375/mile. This doesn’t seem like a good deal to me and yet it is being proposed to raise the tolls again. I saw one part of the proposal had to do with the use of credit cards. You might also want to do some other creative thinking (or just steal ideas from other states with lower tolls) like: Charge out of state EZPass more, Charge more for cash and have less full service lanes, have tolls determined by mileage. In the Miami area of FL there are no toll collection booths. You either use the Sunshine Pass or they take a picture of your license plate and bill you probably for an extra administrative fee. These are just a few quick thoughts; I’m sure with some research and creativity more ideas other than just raising rates could be generated.

Personally, I am to the point that if I need to get to the beltway to get somewhere quickly, I will go on the DTR to get there, but on the way home I get off the beltway and take Rt. 7 thus saving me $3.50. If the tolls continue to go up I may start doing that both ways. If enough people do that Rt. 7 is going to be more of a mess than it currently is because drivers are trying to avoid tolls.



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138 Maskell, Patricia A2,B1

I understand that MWAA is considering increasing the tolls on the Dulles Toll Road. I urge you not to increase the toll at the main toll plaza as drivers will exit at Springhill Road and then use Lewinsville Road to avoid the extra toll at the main toll plaza. Due to all the new building projects in and around Tysons Corner, Lewinsville Road is already overused and overcrowded. It has become very difficult to turn onto Lewinsville Road from local neighborhoods and an increase in tolls at the main toll plaza will exacerbate the problem considerably.

161Mastrogiacomo,

TimA2 Please do not continue to allow commuters to use Lewinsville Road to circumvent the main toll booth on the Dulles Toll Road! We have found that this causes lots of traffic.

142 Matson, Kathleen A2,B1I live on the corner of Lewinsville Road and Meadow Green Lane. I find that many drivers wanting to avoid the main toll plaza are using Lewinsville Road and making it very difficult for me and my family to get in and out of my neighborhood, espeically during rush hour. Please modify the toll structure to eliminate the incentive for using Lewinsville Road. Thank you!

166 McFadyen, John A2

The existing toll structure encourages drivers to use Lewinsville Road in order to avoid going through the main toll plaza. As a resident of McLean Hamlet, I experience great difficulty in exiting onto Lewinsville Road: ‐ during rush hour when traffic is backed up from the Route 123 intersection to two or more of the Hamlet intersections with Lewinsville Road, and; ‐ during non‐rush hours when commuters are exceeding speed limits at speeds appropriate only for the toll road. Improving the structure of the DTR is necessary to reduce the excessive speeds and tailgating that are common on Lewinsville Road.

60 McHugh, Gabriel A2,B2A,B3B,B4D

1. The cost increase is substantial and prevents many working families from getting to and from work. So it's not a matter of allocation, but rather funding. The MWAA hasbeen funded and supported by all levels of government (local, state and federal) yet cannot meet its mandate due to poor budgeting and planning. At one time, it was saidthat the toll road charges would be waived once it pays for itself, so this was a lie and many locals have suffered as a consequence. 2. To reduce spending, there should be no attendant to handle cash transactions at the toll plaza or any other stop along the way.3. To reduce spending, there should be no credit card processing at any of the Dulles Toll Road locations.4. To reduce spending, no operational improvements should be made to the Dulles Toll Road.

110 McKervey, Jennifer A2I live in Ashburn and work in Reston. There is no other way to get to my office other than via the toll road. 8 times out of ten, the backups at the main toll plaza take me 45 min to get through. I already spend over $400 a month in tolls to sit for a hour to go 12 miles. A rate increase of any amount would be a huge detriment to me. I'm single and only make $50,000 a year. I don't plan on using Metro on a regular basis. I'm already paying for metro with my taxes! Don't double charge me!



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31 McMahon, Loretta A1

The cost of the toll road makes the road unaffordable to many (except the wealthy). The alternative of taking the Silver Line is also unaffordable. There should be at least one low cost option for those traveling along this corridor. When I moved out to Herndon, the toll road was only 75 cents, one way. The road has been completely paid for, many times over. I am sick and tired of paying tolls and sitting in traffic. If you want to improve traffic, subsidize the Metro and make it affordable to all. This will help traffic and the environment and will make travel. Quit making the traffic free travel an advantage for only the rich.

41 McManus, Daniel A2,A3The extension of the Silver line in 2nd phase is a travesty. Unnecessary expense that will never be fully recovered or covered. Charge users of the Metro and business developments benefiting from the expansion. Excessive toll increases and making Northern Virginia much too expensive for family life.

81 Michael, Kristen B2A

The cash fare should be double the E‐Zpass rate for as long as cash is accepted.There should be open road tiling and no cash in the future.The airport lanes should be converted to HOT lanes.Technology should be used to track cars use of the airport lanes to ensure people aren’t using them to avoid paying the tolls.

167 Miller, Donna A2

If you raise the toll you will completely overload Lewinsville Road. People use this road to escape the toll as it is now. It is very dangerous now to come out of McLean Hamlet where 500 homes exist with many with multiple drivers. Also, the Spring Hill Elementary School is there and the entrance for pick up and drop off is crowded enough as it is for 9 months of the year. People park across the street from the school and cross Lewinsville with their elementary school age children! Commuters using this route are more interested in making the green lights than observing the speed limit and the children. If there is a bad enough accident with commuter involvement it could be construed as neglect for safety to permit people to by pass the tolls. How much is a child's life worth? Another $.50?

125 Miller, Mimi A2

Traffic starts around 3pm on Lewinsville road. What should take a 2‐3 minute ride could take an extra 10‐30 mins traffic, because of people avoiding the toll.

Many drivers use Lewinsville Road to avoid the main toll plaza. And makes a 2‐3 minute ride, become an extra 10‐30mins just to get on rt7 or to come from Tyson’s to Lewinsville Rd. Making it very difficult for all of us to get out of our neighborhoods, especially during the morning and evening peak travel periods.

Increase in tolls will take longer for our kids to get home, and make our 2‐3mins commute dreadful to 30mins+.

76 Moldover, Dan B4C

Currently, there's an Eastbound gate used for transit vehicles to move into the airport lanes. This allows them easy access to 267 and I‐66 inside the beltway. I'd suggest modifying this gate so that HOV vehicle heading inside the beltway would have the opportunity to move over and use the same express lanes. This would allow those drivers to avoid the backups which regularly occur in Tyson's corner and at 495. Drivers would be notified of the I66 toll cost and, potentially, warned that the tolls may change for non‐HOT drivers.

This should simply involve reprogramming the gate, as it would be for EZ pass only drivers and the reader is already in place. It would be an inexpensive improvement which could have a dramatic impact on Loudoun and Fairfax commuters.

49Montgomery,

LynneA1,A2

I'm completely against raising toll prices on the Dulles Toll Road. The toll prices are already too high and completely unfair to those of us that live near this road and have to use it for commuting. I already pay over $2,000 a year in tolls just to commute on 267. I cannot afford to pay more. Northern Virginia residents who don't live near the toll road don't have to pay tolls for their roads so why should we have to pay this tax just because our neighborhoods are near the toll road? Please don't raise the tolls.



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34 Morrison, Lisa A1,B1,B2A,B4B

1. Dulles Toll Road should not increase. This should not be the only toll road in Northern Virginia. Before increasing our tolls again, make other areas have the same situation. I‐66 and I‐95 should be converted to toll roads and then consider increasing the Dulles Toll Road prices. Additionally, the one size fits all model is outdated. Add a price per exit.Those traveling a short distance should not pay the same amount as those traveling the entire distance.2. Open road tolling should be used.3. Cash should not be used.4. Price per exit. Add other area toll roads or remove the toll completely if not. We should not be the only ones in the area paying tolls, to ask us to pay more when other areaspay nothing is not fair for those that live off the toll road.

127 Muehr, Mike A2,B1

Hello‐‐

I'm aware of a proposal to further increase the toll at the main toll collection point near Spring Hill exit in Tysons Corner/267. I live in the McLean 100 neighborhood off Lewinsville, and have seen a dramatic increase in "cut through" traffic consisting of cars "bypassing" the main toll booth. Many, if not most of these cars are from Maryland‐‐ so it is plainly evident that they are cutting off this corner in an attempt to limit their tolls 2x per day. It has made it EXTREMELY difficult just to leave our neighborhood, in either direction‐‐ the traffic is backed up from Rte 7 AND Spring Hill Rds on Lewinsville, and can often take 10‐15 minutes just to make a turn from our neighborhood. It's just not right, and further consideration needs to be given to how much and WHERE the toll increases should take place. Perhaps greater fares should be collected at the off ramps heading west, vs a much larger toll at the main toll booth. This scenario would create less incentive to skip the main toll and use our side streets as a way to do so.

Thank you for the consideration.

15 Naboshek, Heather A2,B1,B2B

I support the toll increase as long as motorcycles are given the same courtesy as other toll roads in VA/MD and can ride free on 267. I am concerned that the toll hike will significantly increase traffic on the Route 7 to 267 West toll‐free on‐ramp and the 267 East to Route 7 off‐ramp. I fully support making all plaza lanes EZPass Only, where non‐pass users get bills mailed to their home or have to exit the main thoroughfare to pay with cash/credit. The majority of traffic back‐ups appear around the toll plazas with the current mixed‐currency lane set‐up. Good luck!

147 Nakhavanit, Ben A2I don't support the toll increase. I live in the McLean Hamlet and it already is very dangerous to merge into Lewinsville Road get out of my neighborhood in the morning and return in the afternoon. An excessive number of cars are using Lewinsville to bypass the tolls.



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159 Nathan A2Many drivers wanting to avoid the main toll plaza are using Lewinsville Road and making it very difficult for all of us to get out of our neighborhoods, especially during the morning and evening peak travel periods. MWAA needs to modify the toll structure to eliminate the incentive for using Lewinsville Road.

69 Neighbour, Hugh1 A2,B1,B2C,B3B

1. Different2. No3. No4. You cause cut‐through traffic through our neighborhoods. Please address that.

74 Neighbour, Hugh1 A2,B1,B4A

The the ramps and toll plaza are too often situated and tolled in a way which increases cut/through traffic through neighborhoods. For example, I often drive down Jones Branch Road—my only reason is to enter the I 495 hot lanes at the ramp by the Hilton. It would be a shorter trip to take the ramp at Spring Hill Road which would then put me on the southbound I 495 hot lanes a bit quicker. That would avoid driving through the Tysons area as a “cut through” driver. However I do it to avoid a $1.00 toll to use only 100 yards of the toll road. I would recommend decreasing or eliminating the toll on the ramp at Springhill in the direction of the beltway in favor of getting that revenue from a different location. That would decrease cut through traffic in the Tysons area and move people quicker to their destinations. Thank you for considering this view. The toll on Spring Hill Road ramp headed toward I‐495 creates “cut through” traffic in neighborhoods. How? Coming from McLean to get on the I‐495 hot lanes southbound, I can get on the HOT lanes using the Spring Hill ramp and pay a $1.00 toll. OR I can cut through Tysons Corner (past Freddie Mac, etc.) to get on the HOT lanes at Jones Branch Road — and then I pay no toll. The time difference is only 1‐2 minutes. Also, people working in Tysons headed toward Maryland or downtown McLean can pay a $1.00 toll at Spring Hill to get on I‐495. OR they cut through neighborhoods by going down Lewisville, Swinks Mill Road, Balls Hill Rd, etc. to Georgetown Pike and pay no toll. Those surface roads are really jammed. Solution: Remove the toll incentive that creates this cut through traffic to encourage people to use I‐495. Drop the tolls on the Spring Hill ramps. This tolling incentive to cut through our neighborhoods will get worse when MWAA raises tolls on the Spring Hill ramps. (Note: If MWAA drops tolls on Spring Hill ramps, you’ll need to install a license plate reader so drivers don’t exit/re‐enter at Spring Hill to go around the toll plaza). Thank you for considering my concerns. When going to IAD, there is NO toll on ramps such as at Centerville Road, SR7100, Reston Pkwy, Wiehle Av, Hunter Mill Rd., SR7, I‐495, or Dolley Madison (123). NO toll at all. However, on the ramp for the road where I live, Spring Hill Rd— there’s a $1.00 toll to get on the toll road toward the airport. That is not consistent. There is no logical reason why our neighborhood should pay a toll to get on the same road in the same direction when other neighborhoods can do that for free. Not good public policy. Solution: Please drop the toll on the Spring Hill ramp for traffic headed west (in the direction of IAD) so it is consistent with other ramps. (Note: If MWAA does this, you will need to install a license plate reader so outbound drivers don’t exit at Spring Hill Road, then immediately get back on the toll road, i.e., to go around the toll plaza. An inexpensive license plate reader would prevent that.). Thanks for considering this proposal.

32 Nelson, Deanna A2I oppose the proposed increase of the Dulles Toll Road as I currently live off of Route 7 (near a proposed construction site of 100 new homes), and the thought of increased tolls making traffic worse than it is on Route 7 is unbearable. Already we have insane westbound traffic from commuters avoiding the Greenway toll; please do not compound the problem by pushing more people off the toll road and onto neighborhood streets.

68 No Name Given B4CPlease check for safety & cleanliness of the toll road underpass on Spring Hill. Many times there is a lot of debris and not sure if there's adequate lighting to encourage walking to the Metro or Tysons itself.



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72 No Name Given A2,B1,B4AThe large toll at the toll plaza to go to Route 7 west disincentivizes individuals from taking the toll plaza, and therefore, it will go through my neighborhood. And I want to say I want a toll lane entry and exit on Route 7 apart from the toll plaza in order to incentivize people to take that at a cheaper rate.

82 No Name Given B2B,B3A There should always be a cash option during normal use hours. Maybe credit card off‐hours.

12 Ognelodh, Kahlil A2,B2A,B3A

1. Please do not raise rates, they are already high.2. EZ Pass only would be ok with me.3. Credit cards would make traveling the corridor easier, please install.4. Please allow motorcycles to travel 267 toll free. We have a hard time getting the transponders to work and it just causes a massive headache.

2 Olsen, Greg A1,A3,B2A

We DO NOT support raising tolls on the toll road another penny.The deal made when the road was built was to eliminate tolls once the road was paid. 2007 was the estimated time the road was fully paid.Publish the toll road budgets, incomes, and expenses where we can easily find them. We have not been able to find them. Have we missed them? If so, where are they?Charge tolls on the airport access road and combine the two roads into one. Fully automate the toll‐collection process (as it is in every other regional toll road and every new toll road) and pass the savings on to toll payers. Eliminate all of the bottleneck toll plazas.The need for tended booths is both extremely costly and unnecessary. Tended booths are also wasteful in that vehicles must slow or stop to pay with cash and dangerous for all. Slowing or stopping also dramatically increases air pollution and wastes fuel.Raise metro fares and let those who use the system pay more rather than those who never use it and drive (paying a myriad of other fees, insurance, and taxes in the process).

Putting the burden of funding metro on the backs of toll payers (atop all of the many other taxes and fees we pay to own and operate a motor vehicle) is supremely unfair.

Finally, and most importantly, get rid of MWAA and its unaccountable board that is neither elected nor subject to the tolls we have to pay.

Taxation without representation is deplorable.

SHAME on Tim Kaine for giving away the toll road. SHAME!



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83 Pally, Joel2,3 A3So my question is why isn't more aviation funds being used to pay more of the track on airport land, revenue from airlines like United, rather than putting so much of the burden on toll riders.

58 Park, Silvia A2,B2A,B3A1. The proposed toll increase is unreasonable as most people who use the Toll Road are commuters and it will force people to use residential roads, which are already jammedduring the commuting hours. 2. Yes. 3. Yes.

119Parthasarathy,

JaisriB2B,B3A,B4C

1. I pay so much in tolls already. I would not be okay with any price increase. Increasing tolls does not do anything to the already existing problem of congestion, cheaters whoride HOV lanes without the requisite number of people. 2. I think first timers to the area should be made welcome and one cash only lane available.3. Sure, why not. I don't mind either way.4. Please find a way to keep big trucks and vehicles used in construction off the HOV lanes during rush hour traffic; or get us two HOV lanes so that the slow moving multi‐person vehicles can casually stroll along at snail's pace whenever they want. Thanks for giving me this opportunity to provide my feedback.

121 Pena Trujillo, Julian A4 I do not support the rate increase for the Dulles Toll Road. The amount of traffic on the Dulles Toll Road even at peak hours does not justify a rate increase.

108 Pohl, Hank A3Serious consideration must be given to tolling the Access Road and not continue to increase tolls for local users alone. A toll similar to the ramp toll each way will reduce toll violators with a reduced cost in need for enforcement. Plus increased revenue. Perhaps the access road toll could be $3 or $4 heding to IAD and no toll inbound. Please don't assume by the bullet points listed above that automatic toll increases for local users is ok, it is not ok. It's time to consider tolling for all users.

162 Poretz, Susan A2I want to make sure you know that the increased toll rates have affected our getting from my house on Old Cedar Road on to Old Dominion Road. The increase in traffic is especially noticed in the morning and evening rush hours.

128 Price, Ilene A2,B1Please modify the toll structure on the Dulles Toll Road to eliminate the incentive for using Lewinsville Road. Right now, many drivers who want to avoid the main toll plaza use Lewinsville Road to do so‐‐which makes it very hard for homeowners (like my family) to get out of our neighborhood, especially during the rush hours in the morning and evening. Thank you so much for listening to the residents in the area. We do appreciate your consideration of our concerns.



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1 Quinn, Dan A2,A3To whom it may concern. Georgetown Pike and Route 7 are already incredibly congested due to drivers avoiding the toll on 267. Please finish adding the two lanes to Route 7 before making the toll increase on 267.

7 R, Rohit A1 Please do not increase the toll prices as it will the middle class families hard like us.

114 Rachyl B2B,B3A,B4C

1. Or maybe don't raise the toll rates at all, because as lousy as it is to pay to drive on a backed‐up trafficky road, it would be worse to pay more to drive on a backed‐uptrafficky road.2. Leave one lane available for cash payments and give discounts for customers with ezpasses.3. Only in the cash‐only lanes.4. Repave it. It's currently impossible to tell where the lane markers are because so many of them have been scraped off the road surface. Especially when it's dark or raining.

96 Radoycich, Zorine A1,A2,A3,B2B,B3A

I use the toll road, but only as sparingly as I possibly can. The cost is simply too much to incur on a regular basis. I don't know what the solution is to funding upgrades, but the higher you raise the tolls, the fewer people who use the toll road, the less money you will have (and the more you will have to raise rates to generate income) and basically the toll road becomes only for those wealthy enough to be able to pay. The rest of us will slog through increasingly heavy traffic on major roads, like Route 7 (which is what I use instead of the toll road). I do not think it wise to completely get rid of booths where people can pay by cash (or credit) and YES you should accept credit cards. You would do better to fund the toll road through general taxes although I know that is an unpopular proposition because this (geographically) is such a small portion of the state. And yet, with all the traffic and the need to fix roads for existing commuters, the state continues to encourage development. What about ensuring businesses who wish to locate here help foot the bill (rather than worrying about incentivizing them with lower taxes)?

181 Rahn, Michael A2

I live in the McLean Hamlet subdivision which has entrances/exits directly onto Lewinsville Rd., McLean, VA. I have lived in this house since 1979 and have observed the increase in traffic on Lewinsville Rd. in recent years.

There is currently a large volume of traffic on Lewinsville Rd. during morning and afternoon peak travel times. Part of the cause of this volume of traffic is that many drivers wanting to avoid the main toll plaza are using Lewinsville Road. There is a financial incentive in the toll structure which encourages drivers to use Lewinsville Rd.

This makes it difficult for drivers to safely exit our subdivision during these times, particularly if one needs to turn left from the subdivision to go towards the Spring Hill School. I request that MWAA modify the toll structure to eliminate the incentive for using Lewinsville Road.

122Rameswarapu,

RohitB4C Please make ezPass Flex lanes available for HOV Vehicles, this helps reduce traffic and help efficient usage like I‐66.



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149 Reiss, Kristen A2,B1As a resident of McLean Hamlet I am writing to express my concern about the volume of traffic on Lewinsville Road. Many drivers wanting to avoid the main toll plaza get off at Lewinsville Road instead and make it very difficult for McLean Hamlet residents to get out of our neighborhood, especially during the morning and evening peak travel times. Please modify the Dulles Toll Road structure to eliminate the incentive for using Lewinsville Road.

77 Rice, Stephanie A2 I do not support increasing the toll. I currently can barely afford my commute from Herndon to McLean and back.

87 Rolser, Bill A1,A2,A3

I live in Reston along the Dulles Corridor. I attended the so called “Public Hearing” (more like a poster board showing) and expressed my outrage at the proposals for increasing the tolls on the Dulles Toll Road to pay for Metro. It is unconscionable for MWAA to continue to place the cost burden of extending Metro to Dulles Airport on a small sliver of Reston and Herndon residents living along the Toll Road. At the same time, no additional burden is placed upon residents of Alexandria and Arlington Counties and Fairfax County residents living east and south of the Toll Road, not to mention residents of D.C. and Maryland that may benefit from Metro to Dulles and never pay an additional dime! This is outrageous, discriminatory and immoral! For example, a millennial living in Clarendon will be able to take Metro to Dulles once it’s complete, but NEVER PAY A DIME towards construction. How is that fair when Reston/Herndon users of the Toll Road need to pay EVERY DAY! The Toll Road is major thoroughfare through our towns. It is not a bridge, a HOT Lane or an Interstate Highway. Tolling us beyond the cost of the road (the original deal) is the equivalent of tolling Route 7 through Tysons Corner, or Constitution Avenue through D.C. The structure of the Dulles Toll Road also creates a special toll for accessing I‐95 (the Beltway) for residents of Herndon and Reston. As it stands now, we are the only locale that needs to pay $2.50 in order to reach the Beltway. The same stands for accessing downtown D.C. via Route 66. Again, this is heavily discriminatory against Reston/Herndon residents living along the Toll Road.My suggestions for fixing this injustice are as follows:1. Stop all the toll increases along the Dulles Toll Road. The existing rates are high enough2. Toll the Dulles Access Road that actually goes to the airport! How logical is that? Charge the people that actually are going to the airport! I know this will requirecongressional approval, but congress is always talking about helping Metro. What better way to do that then to charge the folks that are actually going to the airport?3. Add a toll for accessing Dulles from Route 28. It is completely unfair that residents along Routes 66, 50 and 28 are not subjected to any of the additional tolls that residentsof Reston and Herdon have been paying and will continue to pay at an ever increasing rate.4. Charge a premium fare for exiting at the airport. If you take a cab from Arlington or D.C. it will easily cost over $50. Why not charge the folks who actually take the Metroto Dulles (once open) by charging a premium fare, say $30 for exiting at Dulles. That would still be less expensive than cabbing or parking and would place the cost of constructing Metro to Dulles on the people who actually use it.



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87Continued(Cont.)

Rolser, Bill A1,A2,A3

5. To ameliorate the Beltway and I‐66 tolls, residents of Reston/Herndon should be given special EZ passes that limits their cost of those tolls to $2.50. We should not have to pay ever increasing toll amounts to access the Beltway when residents of every other jurisdiction in the region can access the Beltway for free! FYI, I reviewed your Comment Form distributed at the “Public Hearing”. A few pertinent points….• Metro to Dulles will not benefit me at all. By the time I Uber to the Metro station I can simply Uber all the way to the airport at little extra cost and a lot more convenience.That is the biggest joke about this whole operation. The folks paying the extra costs won’t benefit from Metro to Dulles. Meanwhile, residents of Arlington, D.C., Alexandria, Tysons Corner, etc… will benefit immensely without contributing to the cost.• The allocation of an immoral toll increase is irrelevant. The allocation of additional tolls should not be between toll plazas along the Toll Road, the allocation should be to OTHER RESIDENTS of the region who are getting a free ride! (see my suggestions above)• When I discussed my views at the “Public Hearing” it was suggested to me that I should be happy about Metro to Dulles because my property value is rising. NONSENSE! You can check my Fairfax County tax assessments and you’ll see that the value of my home has actually DECLINED since Metro opened. Additionally, several group such as Rescue Reston are now actively involved in attempting to save our planned community from vast and indiscriminate overdevelopment by Fairfax County. The quality of life in Reston is deteriorating rapidly as the traffic in Reston is expanding exponentially. Metro is a chimera when it comes to improving traffic or quality of life. I’d be happy to attend any meeting of MWAA’s Board and explain all these facts and proposals. Please let me know if that is possible. I think MWAA’s Board needs to understand how their structure for funding the cost of Metro is discriminating against a very small portion of local residents, while favoring a wide swath of regional residents. This needs to be corrected.

175 Roseman, Russell A2

I live in McLean Hamlet and do not want an increase in the volume of travelers on Lewinsville Road. Many drivers wanting to avoid the main toll plaza are using Lewinsville Road to get onto the toll road at Spring Hill and making it very difficult for all of us to get out of our neighborhoods, especially during the morning and evening peak travel periods.

I request MWAA modify the toll structure to eliminate the incentive for using Lewinsville Road. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this matter which impacts my daily life.

70 Sachse, Johnna1 A2,B1,B4B

So my comment is that the increase in tolls is just going to cause more problems for the neighborhoods. We already have a terrible amount of cut‐through traffic due to people trying to avoid the toll on the Toll Road. I live off of Route 7, and people cut down Towlston to Bellview to Georgetown Pike, and in both directions, both morning and evening rush hour and during the weekends to avoid paying the toll. So instead of going down Route 7 from Reston down to Tyson's area and getting on the Toll Road to get to 495, they cut through our neighborhoods. And I know Spring Hill also has ‐‐those neighborhoods also have the same issue. So increasing the toll is just going to cause more people to want to find a cut route, a cut‐through route, instead of paying increased tolls. So my recommendation, my first choice would be to make it free, no toll on the Toll Road between Route 7 and 495. And if that is not palatable, then the second option would be to do distance tolling with the overhead monitors that are able to determine how far you've gone. It's such a short distance between Route 7 and 425. Maybe people could just pay 50 cents or something so people are not encouraged to cut through neighborhoods to avoid paying the toll. We have seen a huge increase in the last, I would say, five years, and every year it keeps getting worse with cut‐through traffic, Marylanders driving from one direction, Virginians driving in the other direction both times of day. And it's a safety issue for our neighborhoods. We have increased accidents. You can barely go to your mailbox to get mail out of your mailbox. It's like a freeway. Instead of it being a freeway on the Toll Road, it's a freeway on our neighborhood roads. It's a safety issue for the school buses. It's a quality‐of‐life issue for us, and it's also a property value issue because what used to be nice, calm, country roads have become practically freeways with people trying to avoid the toll. So I'm not in favor of increasing the toll at all, especially if you can't make it free from Route 7 to 495 on the Toll Road, or if you can't do a distance tolling type of solution.



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133 Scheufler, Mark1 B1,B2B,B3B

Please consider the following comments regarding the Dulles Toll Rate Setting: 1. The entire increase should be allocated totally to the main toll plaza and Tysons Access Points (Eastbound and Westbound). No change for ramp tolls.2. Eliminate Cash Tolls or make Cash toll 2x the EZ pass rate.3. No credit cards, pay by plate with an admin fee is a better alternative (similar to ICC).4. Strongly recommend studying the option of converting DAAH into HOT lanes and making the DTR free. Unlocking the value of the DAAH could help lower the IAD Cost Per Enplanement. 5. Recommend not increasing tolls until Metrorail Phase 2 opens in 2020. This may require higher tolls ex $1.50 increase instead of $1.25.6. Strongly recommend variable toll rates (peak, off‐peak, overnight).

103 Schmieg, James A2,A3

My wife and I are long time residents of Fairfax County and have been retired for a few years now. When you are on a fixed income, every expense matters. We believe that the current proposed rate structure should not be implemented as proposed. We believe that the current rate structure is enough of a burden on state residents. Additional costs (if needed) should be passed on to Silver Line users or the communities surrounding the stations that have enjoyed increased land values. We have seen higher costs at both a county and state level that typically exceed core inflation. Enough is enough unless the objective is to drive retirees out of the area.

43 Schnauder, John B2B,B3A,B4D

1. Asking for commuters to pay $12 more per week in addition to the already burdensome toll rates is, in my opinion, greedy. Why does this road continue to fund publictransportation when drivers don't use the Metro? Use other taxes paid for by all state residents to fund, same as roads in southern Virginia are funded by state taxes....I know that your decision is already made and costs will increase, but it's a shame that this is the way you choose to do so only because it's the path of least resistance.2. Keep some lane cash.3. Sure.4. Road is fine, but rather you use the tolls to improve the road than build a Metro that wasn't really needed.

6 Schneider, David A2I will use the toll road more frequently if the tolls are lower than I if they are higher. It is clear here that the tolls are not to reduce traffic on the road, but raise funds for Metro. You will make more money by keeping the toll road lanes accessible to more people than by having fewer cars shoulder the expense.

33 Shapiro, Adam B2C,B3B,B4C

1. There should be no toll increase ‐ the toll should be removed entirely.2. The toll should be removed entirely, negating the need for a toll plaza.3. No credit cards needed if there's no toll.4. Aside from removing the toll booths, the eastbound entrance ramp to 495N needs to be improved. Provide for a longer merge area (perhaps by a lane that doesn't end for at least a mile) and smooth the curve.



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71 Shapiro, Jeffrey1 A2,B1

I can do this in context of these questions. Okay, question one is do you use the Toll Road, yes. Do you plan to use Metrorail in the Dulles Corridor, no. Regarding question three, allocation of the cost between the ramp and mainline plazas, the issue I am concerned about is traffic entering the Toll Road or exiting the Toll Road at the Route 7 ramp. These commuters from both Maryland and Virginia have the option to evade the toll by using other exits and entry onto 495, typically from Georgetown Pike.

These users therefore pay zero in toll. Unfortunately, they are flooding our local neighborhood with commuter traffic which is causing a deterioration in the quality of life. An increase at the mainline plaza will encourage more of these drivers to evade the toll. That is because the distance between the mainline plaza and Route 7 is extraordinarily short, just a few hundred yards. Many drivers already are unwilling to pay $2.50 for that short distance. It stands to reason that they will also refuse to pay an even higher amount such as $3.25.

Undoubtedly, there will be an increase in drivers who choose to evade the toll by using the Georgetown Pike exit and entry to 495. This will be even worse for the local neighborhood.

I urge you to find a way to either exempt the Route 7 ramp from any mainline plaza payment or to make it a nominal amount that most people will be comfortable paying.

73 Shapiro, Jeffrey1 A2,B1,B4A

This comment is focused on the Mainline Toll Plaza and the Route 7 exit/entrance. The problem is that the distance between the two is very short and many drivers are unwilling to pay $2.50 to travel a few hundred yards before reaching 495 or Route 7. They therefore take alternative routes supplied by Waze. Many travel through the local neighborhood between Route 7 and 495 and use the Georgetown Pike exit to access 495. They pay zero ($0) toll. If you increase the Mainline Toll Plaza amount to $3.25. even more drivers will evade it through cut‐through roads to and from Georgetown Pike. This is hurting the quality of life in these neighborhoods and depriving MWHA of all revenue from VA and MD commuters who primarily use Route 7 and 495. A win win would be to charge a nominal toll to travel the few hundred yards between the Route 7 ramp and the Mainline Toll Plaza. MWHA would increase revenue and our local neighborhood would see reduced traffic. One idea ‐ perhaps install dedicated Route 7 entrance and exit lanes, to allow a lower toll such as $0.75. This might also help with the terrible crossover between Spring Hill entrants and driver's exiting to Route 7 West. Other idea ‐move the Mainline Plaza Toll so that it is past Route 7 and allow free entrance and exit from Route 7 to the Toll Road. A third idea would be some sort of electronic adjustment of the toll amount using EZ pass capability. A fourth idea is to significantly lower the Mainline Plaza Toll for all drivers, and increase the ramp tolls more significantly but keep the Route 7 ramps free. This re‐allocation would effectively allow a lower toll for Route 7 users and simply alter the proportion paid by other drivers between their own local ramp toll and the Mainline Plaza Toll.



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102 Shapiro, Jeffrey1 A2,B1,B4A

Executive Summary● The $2.50 toll imposed at the Mainline Plaza Toll (MPT) is causing drivers traversing a short stretch of the Dulles Toll Road between I‐495 and Route 7 to instead use residential streets as a cut through. These “short hop” drivers are overloading residential streets with commuter traffic, creating an unsafe and unpleasant situation for local residents.● Increasing the toll to $3.25 for the “short hop” drivers will lead more of them to avoid the Dulles Toll Road. Their increased use of neighborhood cut through routes will cost the Metropolitan Airport Authority (MWAA) even more revenue, and will make the nearby local roads even more congested and hazardous. The toll should be lowered, not raised, for these short hop drivers. That will lead more of them back to the Dulles Toll Road, increasing revenue for MWAA, and reducing neighborhood cut through traffic.Toll Rate AnomalyA driver traveling I‐495 north or south who wants to reach Route 7 via the Dulles Toll Road must pay $2.50 per car at the MPT. This toll is high, considering the commuter will travel only 1.7 miles on the Dulles Toll Road. Likewise, a $2.50 toll must be paid for the reverse trip from Route 7 to I‐495, creating a $5.00 / day roundtrip total. MWAA proposes to increase this toll even higher to $3.25 each way, or $6.50 a day. This situation is faced by commuters from points south and west in Virginia and from Maryland. If they wish to use the Dulles Toll Road as a convenient interchange between Route 7 and I‐495, they must pay the full MPT toll for a short hop of 1.7 miles.The Great EscapeLong‐haul commuters on the Dulles Toll Road may be willing to pay increased toll rates, but these short hop commuters are already refusing to pay the current toll. They haveavailable cut through routes via the local residential roads between I 495 and Route 7. For instance, a popular option for morning Maryland commuters is to exit I 495 at Georgetown Pike, and then reach Route 7 via Swinks Mill Road to Lewinsville to Route 7. Another popular option is to take the same exit, but then traverse Bellview Road toTowlston Road to Route 7. These routes are all reversible for the afternoon trip home or for commuters from points west in Virginia headed to I 495. For instance, a commuter from Reston can go fromRoute 7 to Towlston Road to Bellview Road to reach Georgetown Pike and the entrance to I‐495. It is also possible to evade the toll when headed for I 495 south by continuing on Route 7 through Tyson’s Corner to the I‐495 ramps at either Dolly Madison Boulevard or Route 123. This situation worsens traffic in the Tyson’s Corner area, making it aless desirable place to live, work or shop.



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102Cont. Shapiro, Jeffrey1 A2,B1,B4A

These are just a few examples of the cut through options. Although the Dulles Toll Road connection would be faster than the cut through options, the pain is not great. Because commuters navigating the local roads are able to continue their general eastward or westward movement, they do not lose an inordinate amount of time.Why Is It Suddenly A Problem?When the toll rate was $0.75, it was not worth the effort to use neighborhood cut through routes to avoid the MPT toll. When the rate was raised to $2.50, circa 2013, it became worthwhile for many commuters. They have proven their unwillingness to pay the toll by increasingly flooding the residential roads. If the MPT toll is raised again from $2.50 to $3.25, that will worsen the situation. It will increase the incentive for short hop drivers to take to the neighborhood streets to evade the MPT toll.The Toll Rate Study Does Not Consider The IssueThe Dulles Toll Road Comprehensive Traffic and Revenue Study (2018 Update) estimates the potential impact of the toll increase on Dulles Toll Road revenues, including the increase of the MPT toll from $2.50 to $3.25 per car. The study concludes that Dulles Toll Road users are relatively insensitive to rate increases, and so the proposed increases will likely be accepted.That may be true for long‐haul commuters who travel the length of the Dulles Toll Road or who live in the Reston or Herndon areas. The study failed, however, to consider lost revenue from the short hop commuters who only want to connect from Route 7 to I‐495 or vice versa. As just discussed, these short hop commuters have a realistic escape. Thousands of short hop drivers every day refuse to pay $2.50 MPT toll. If the MPT toll is raised to $3.25, even more of these drivers will find it worthwhile to evade it. The study fails to consider how revenue MWAA may lose from short hop drivers if the toll increases to $3.25, or conversely, how much revenue might be gained if a new lower rate could be applied exclusively to short hop drivers.Possible SolutionsMWAA no doubt can determine how best to solve this problem. We did some brainstorming and came up with a few ideas:● Create dedicated Route 7 entrance/exit lanes. Each car in the lane would pay a low toll (e.g., $0.75 or $1.00) and be physically constrained to exit Route 7 (to prevent chea ng). ● Use an overhead detector for E‐Z pass commuters, to track who is entering and exi ng route 7, giving these cars a pre‐defined credit against the MPT. ● Reduce the MPT for all cars but allocate an increased amount to ramps beyond Route 7. ● Move the MPT beyond Route 7.ConclusionIf, instead of raising the toll, a lower toll rate could be applied exclusively to the short hop commuters, a large number would probably return to the Dulles Toll Road to save time, thereby increasing MWAA revenue. Taking this step also would be a big help in removing thousands of daily commuters from nearby residential streets, thereby improving localquality of life. We urge MWAA to eliminate this toll anomaly for the benefit of all concerned.

65 Sherman, Michelle B3AI definitely believe credit card use should be available especially for the price commuters are paying. We really don't need another increase. The roads continue to be crowded so what is the real benefit other than taking money from the commuters in which a lot of the commuters are residents.

146 Shvodian, William A2Please consider ways to discourage traffic from using Lewinsville Road to avoid the toll plaza. Also, please consider higher tolls going toward the city in the morning away from the city in the evening.

64 Simpkins, Lori A2As a commuter living in Reston using the Toll Road daily, there are no other access roads that get me easily to 495 or 66 you are expecting me to pay $1,430 annually just to get to work because of where I live. Please consider this impact more carefully.

86 Singh, Ameeta A4 I oppose increasing the toll. It's already costly and should be generating enough funds to support its maintenance.



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130 Smith, John A2 I commute everyday using the Dulles Toll Road. If these rates are increased by the proposed amount, I will quit using the toll road.

177Smith, Kathy and

PaulA2,B1

Please make Springhill toll exit not a less expensive option than the main toll plaza to 495. The congestion in and around McLean is becoming unbearable during peak travel times and many take Lewinsville Rd to save money.

170 Smith, Lester A4 Tolls are too high as it is. Tax dollars built this but profits are going to private individuals.

11 Smylie, Amanda B2B,B3A

1. Absolutely not. There have been other measures taken to collect for the metro I.e. the metro tax on top of funds that are already being given for the project. It is not likelythat at the completion of the project the tolls would go back down. It is not our responsibility because we want to drive on the road to find a project for public transportation.This seems like a smoke screen for a permanent tax hike.2. If you convert the booths to ez pass only wouldn’t this cut down on overheard and in return LOWER the toll rates? Being so close to an international airport it wouldn’t befair to make it ez pass only. Which leads to the next. 3. If no cash is accepted you would almost have to accept credit cards at all booths.4. There should be a better way for the people who get to the gate in an ez pass lane and it doesn’t work. It doesn’t seem safe to have an attendant play frogger to get tothem and then it still takes an excessive amount of time to process.

80 Snyder, Steve A3 No toll increases! Use a gas tax instead.

51 Sribar, Cathy B1,B2A,B3A,B4B

I don't think the current proposed allocation is acceptable. We use the Dulles Toll Road primarily to pick up our kids and take them to school when they have appointments and after‐school activities. We live in Vienna and our kids go to Longfellow / McLean High School. Without the toll road, it can take 45 minutes to get the kids or pick them up. Using the toll road to get to Route 123 after the toll plaza allows us to bypass local traffic ‐ which is why the school buses use that same route. We are penalized for using the most expensive toll booth while we are on the road a minimal amount of time. How about implementing a "per mile" system? Not all people using the road are working commuters who can afford the increases you are proposing. I'm fine with EZ Pass only and credit cards ‐ with the prices you are proposing many won't have the cash on hand anyways.

17Stoutenburgh,

AndrewB1,B2A,B3A

1. Neither 2. Yes3. Yes4. No toll rate hikes.



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20 Straz, Ron A4The proposed increase is an insult to commuting people in the Northern Virginia area. To use toll road commuters to supplement the metrorail is completely unreasonable. Commuting via metro is impossible for anyone on a reverse commute unless your office is directly off of one of the few metro stops available.

176 Take, Ethelyn A2 Toll road to Dulles airport should not increase we can't get out of the Hamlet because of all the cars on Lewinsville

100 Tulloch, Catherine A2,B3ANo, please no rate hikes. We are paying way too much already simply to use a road. This is unheard of in most other high‐traffic states such as New York. And yes! Please do equip the toll booths to accept debit cards. Not to have that option creates hassle both for the driver and for the Toll Road.

134 Umana, Mimi A2Please reconsider the issues re the above. This will cause a lot of inconvenience and problems with the residents of the neighborhood, considering that Springhill Elementary School and the Rec center are located in the vicinity. By increasing the tolls, drivers will divert to Lewinsville Road to avoid paying tolls. Thank you!

189 Van Nuys, Susan A2I've lived in Reston since 1992, and I used the toll road regularly for many years. When the prices started to climb, I used it less. When the fees climbed to their current level, I reduced my usage to about 10 times per year. I expect to stop using the toll road entirely with the next price increase. If all lanes are switched to E‐ZPass only, then the decision will be simple: since I don't have E‐ZPass, I won't be able to use the toll road.

35 Vergin, Chris A2If the tolls are raised, it will cause side roads to become flooded and will destroy them quicker. The toll increase will do nothing except cause more headaches, Wiehle is already a nightmare at times.

4 Wallick, Julie A1,A3

To Whom it may concern,

I am writing to you with my opinion that the users of the Toll road should not bear the entire burden of this Metro expansion. The Metro will be used by people from all of Fairfax and surrounding areas including DC & Maryland. And if the users of the Metro are from all these areas why should they not pay for its expansion? It would seem that a tax of some kind that encompasses more users of the Metro would be the logical way to raise funds.

I have lived in this region for 11.5 years coming from Columbus, Ohio. I had never used Toll roads before but had no problem getting my very first EZ Pass. Living in Reston I am using the Dulles Toll Road on a constant basis.

I am very excited for the Metro and for all the development that is happening with Tysons and Reston. It seems very lopsided to have the users of the Toll road paying the larger share for the Metro through increase tolls. A modest increase on the Tolls but the increase you are considering seems high considering that many of these users are also using the EZ pass lanes on 495 & 66.

23 Weatherwax, Holly B2C,B3A

In my job, I don't have the option to use public transportation. I do not support the rate increase at the current levels. What is the point of the rate increase? Is it just an increase because we haven't had one in a while (that is what it sounds like)? Why not do smaller, incremental increases rather than large ones all at once?

I am concerned about people who don't have credit cards or EZPasses being unable to use the road and clogging up the Toll Booths for the rest of us as they figure it out. It sounds like it will create traffic nightmares.

If you get rid of cash, there should most definitely be a credit card alternative.

29 Weber, Ronald B4BHave free or reduced tolls if you only travel between the Route 28 and Hunter Mill interchanges. It should reduce the traffic on the local road system and benefit the environment. PS ‐ Disclosure I own 15K of Dulles Toll Road bonds.



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59 Wen, Sha B1,B2C,B3A,B4B

1. No, it should be allocated as proposed.2. No, it should keep "pay in cash" as an option. Otherwise, it is unfair for drivers who don't need EZ Pass and would force those drivers to pay the monthly or minimum fee tokeep an EZ Pass. 3. Yes, credit card should be accepted. However, always keep pay in cash / coins as an option.4. Yes, folks going from Route 7 to 495 (or vice versa) should pay no toll at all or pay a much smaller amount.

179Widdifield, Jonathan

A2

Hello, I am a resident in McLean and a member of the Lewinsville Coalition and am very concerned about the proposal to increase tolls. As you are aware, Lewinsville Road is already overcrowded, which is especially dangerous given that Spring Hill Road Elementary is right there. I have three children who go there and on an almost daily basis I see people speeding and running lights near the school in an effort to save money on the toll given its current structure.

I believe that increasing the toll will only exacerbate this issue, and further endanger our children. While congestion and traffic are not pleasant, my major concern is that any proposed increase without a change to the existing structure will put our children in danger, which is totally irresponsible. As such, I request that you kindly take the above into consideration before making any decisions.



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97 Wieder, Eric A2,B2AI travel the toll road every day between Rt 286 and Tyson's Corner. The rates are already too high but so is metro. I will continue to drive but be forced to use Rt 7, Rt 123 or Rt 66 to get to and from work. I already use E‐Z Pass and that should be more and more available. Please do not increase rates!

78 Wilson, Davia A2,B2B,B3B,B4D

If and when the rates go up, I will stop using the toll road to anywhere! It is enough already as it costs me $7 a day now to go back and forth to work. An increase will only add to the area's frustration of increasing money when my raises at work do not keep up with the demand of increases in HOA etc. I think at least one lane needs to be cash for those visiting the area that may not live here. I do not believe any lanes should have credit card payments as with stolen identity I see a problem here already. I do not believe operational improvements are needed as if that is the case then I see things continuing to go up in price and I think they are enough where it is today. Money money money! Ugh it is maddening.

50 Xue, Tony A2,B1

Regarding "The toll road authority is proposing to raise the primary toll on 267 from $2.50 to $3.25 for 2 axle vehicles, with equally large increases for vehicles with more axles."My comment is. I strongly disagree with it. They should be looking for a way that folks going from route 7 to 495 (or vice versa) and from SpringHill road to Toll can pay a much smaller amount or no toll at all, so that they do not invade our neighborhood to evade the toll.Now the spring hill road is very jammed in the rush hours.

16 Yaglenski, Christian B1,B4CAs a user of the toll road, I'm fine with the increase cost of using the roads, but I would like to suggest free use of the roads for motorcyclists, similar to the way the 495 Express lanes are free for motorcyclists. It could go quite a way towards reducing congestion and reducing maintenance costs for the road.

8 Zajac, Kara B4C Free for motorcycles. Thank you. That is all.



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Proposed Toll Rate Increases Report on Public Comments...2. At a future date to be determined,...

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