Dulles Loop
(Last Updated July 2012)
Alliance Position:
The Alliance supports the implementation of the Dulles Loop as an integral component of Dulles Airport’s future economic growth.
The Problem:
Reliable access to Washington Dulles International Airport, as well as the ability for traffic to move around and through the Dulles area, has deteriorated due to the implementation of planned land uses to the North, South and West of the airport.
By 2030, employment is expected to double and households to increase by 70% in the areas immediately around Dulles airport. To accommodate such growth, the Dulles Loop will require at a minimum an eight-lane freeway with supporting local access lanes.
The Project:
The Dulles Loop consists of upgraded portions of Routes 28, 50 and 606 that form an 18-mile circumferential around Washington Dulles International Airport.
Current Status:
Route 606: The Virginia Department of Transportation began preliminary engineering work in January 2012 to upgrade Route 606 to 4 lanes. The work is estimated to cost about $3 million, for which the Commonwealth will pick up 1/3 of the cost, Loudoun County 1/3, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority the final 1/3.
Route 50: The reconstruction of the Route 50 portion of the loop is underway.
Route 28: Short-term improvements are nearly completed.
Dulles Loop Implementation Group:
Stakeholders both public and private had joined together to form the Dulles Loop Implementation Group, chaired by Douglas Koelemay of the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The group developed a coherent plan which identified the improvements that can be funded with proffers and public money, identified the gaps and offered ways to fill those gaps, as well as suggesting long-term solutions for county and VDOT consideration.
Membership of the group was comprised of:
- Committee for Dulles
- Dulles Area Transportation Association
- Dulles South Business Alliance
- Dulles South Transportation Alliance
- Fairfax County
- Loudon County
- Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
- Route 606 Group
- Route 28 Taxing District
- Virginia Department of Transportation
- Washington Airports Task Force
Funding was provided by Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, and private stakeholders.
For more information, contact the Washington Airports Task Force: 703-572-8714.