To make sure the nails in the coffin of TTA’s light rail are in, there’s this example from Northern Virginia. As Governing.com notes
After watching this debate for years, the airport authority that
owns Dulles made an offer last month to the state: Step aside and let
us build the rail line. The authority asked Virginia to give it control
of the toll road that is presently the main route to Dulles. It would
use the toll revenues to finance the rail line. No federal funds
needed, no more tiresome debate, just get out of the way and let us
finish this project.State officials were stunned. Why would an airport want to get in
the rail transit business? Simple, airport executives said. They
understood better than state officials the value of transportation, the
strengths and weaknesses of each mode and the growing importance of
connecting one form of travel with another. They also understood
something that?s obvious to every commuter: Highways don?t work well as
well as they once did. ?When we look at the region, transportation is
becoming increasingly more challenging on roadways,? the airport
authority?s president told the Washington Post. ?So for us to make sure
Dulles continues to service that customer, we need to say, what is an
alternative to get people out here? It?s the rail link.?
Of course, the TTA
proposal goes nowhere near RDU. In case you think Charlotte’s any
better, its rail is on the other side of town from CLT.
