Press Release: Loudoun Chamber Supports Virginia Supreme Court Decision to Halt Dulles Greenway Toll Hike
LEESBURG, VA –The Virginia State Supreme Court has sided with commuters, rejecting an appeal by Dulles Greenway operator TRIP II to raise toll rates. This pivotal July 17 ruling ensures current tolls on the private road remain unchanged. The Loudoun Chamber strongly supports this decision by the State Corporation Commission (SCC) and the court.
Proposed increases would have seen peak hour tolls jump from $5.80 to $8.10 – a 40% hike for frequent users. Justice Stephen R. McCullough’s opinion highlighted the financial burden and noted that most Greenway trips aren’t full-length, despite being charged at the full rate.
The ruling underscored the Greenway’s persistent struggles with lower traffic volumes than projected since its 1995 opening. Justice McCullough also pointed out that Loudoun County’s improved public road network offers viable alternatives, lessening the Greenway’s appeal. The court agreed with SCC staff that TRIP II’s justification for the increase was flawed.
McCullough emphasized that private toll roads compete with public options, and profit isn’t guaranteed. He noted the SCC had previously “bailed out a road that was developed based on ‘flawed assumptions’.”
TRIP II spokesman Terry Hoffman stated the company will pursue a federal complaint against the SCC and anticipates submitting a new rate application this year.
Local and state officials widely praised the decision. Loudoun Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis J. Randall called the proposed increases “excessive,” and Vice Chair Michael W. Turner hailed it as a “huge win.” U.S. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, who sponsored legislation to empower the SCC to deny unjustified increases, affirmed the ruling.
Virginia Attorney General Jason S. Miyares stated, “No private company has the right to exploit a government franchise to gouge commuters.”
For further information about the Chamber’s Public Policy decisions and positions, contact Government Relations Manager Theo Stamatis, tstamatis@loudounchamber.org.
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