Public Policy Call to Action: SCC Seeks Public Comment on Greenway Rate Hike
We Need You! Make Your Voice Heard & Oppose the Greenway Rate Hike
The Greenway is back again with another major toll rate increase request, and the Board of Supervisors has authorized the Loudoun County Attorney to fight this increase with the full resources of the County. The other component of the rate increase process is public input. Loudoun County residents and businesses who wish to offer comment on the Dulles Greenway’s proposed rate hike may do so during a State Corporation Commission (SCC) public hearing on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Freedom High School, located at 25450 Riding Center Drive in South Riding.
Toll Road Investors Partnership II, LP (“TRIP II”), the company that owns the Greenway, is asking the SCC to approve a request (Case # PUR-2023-00089) to increase the maximum tolls for most drivers to $8.10 during peak hours, up from the current $5.80; and to $6.40 during off-peak hours, up from $5.25.
In July, Loudoun County announced its opposition to the proposed rate hike. In September, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to file a “notice of participation” with the SCC in the case. The notice of participation ensures that Loudoun’s Board will have access to all information provided to the SCC as it considers the application for a 40% increase in the maximum toll for passenger vehicles on the Greenway. It also allows the Board to provide the SCC with testimony and analysis independent of that offered by the owner of the toll road.
The SCC asks that any member of the public who wishes to provide comment at the January 9 hearing in South Riding arrive at 5:45 p.m. and register to speak. Additional details are published online by the SCC: SCC Schedules Local Hearing to Consider Proposed Dulles Greenway Toll Increase
In addition to the January 9 hearing in South Riding, the SCC is holding a telephonic hearing to receive testimony from members of the public on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at 1300 East Main Street in Richmond.
Members of the public who wish to provide testimony by telephone must pre-register by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 24, 2024, in one of three ways:
- Complete a public witness form for case number PUR-2023-00089 on the SCC’s website.
- Email the SCC a PDF version of the form.
- Call the SCC at 804-371-9141 during normal business hours (8:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) and provide your name and a phone number where you can be reached during the hearing.
The SCC allows each witness five minutes to provide testimony. Members of the public may submit written comments at any time through January 24, 2024. Written comments regarding Greenway’s request for increased toll rates can be provided through the SCC’s online form. Written comments can also be submitted by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments must refer to case #PUR-2023-00089.
We need YOU! Make your voice heard and oppose the rate hike!
Email Theo Stamatis, tstamatis@loudounchamber.org for more information.
Get involved in the Chamber’s Public Policy work to ensure the best business environment possible for our region. Click here to learn about the committee, or attend an upcoming Policy event.