Dulles Greenway Toll Increase Denied By State Commission

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A toll increase for the Dulles Greenway was denied this week by the State Corporation Commission. A proposal from the greenway's operator, Toll Road Investors Partnership II (TRIP II), planned to increase the toll by approximately 35 per cent over five years.

The proposed toll increase would have raised prices by 6 to 6.8 per cent each year. The increased prices would have applied to drivers during peak and non-peak hours.

The State Corporation Commission denied the toll increase request, stating that TRIP II failed to meet the criteria required for a toll increase. In a news release, Loudoun County Officials noted that the decision may have been influenced by the economic impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"While TRIP II argued that the SCC was required to approve its toll increases in order to pay off the company’s costs and debts, the SCC found that such increases are neither mandated nor required," county attorney Leo Rogers said. "The decision confirms that the SCC ‘may’ in its discretion, but is not required to, approve toll rate increase applications."

This week's decision is the first time that the State Corporation Commission denied a request to increase the tolls on the Dulles Greenway. The commission had previously approved toll increases of $0.25 per year in 2021 and 2022 for non-peak tolls.

Read more: Bill To Limit Tolls on Dulles Greenway Passes In Virginia Senate

A law signed by Governor Northam last week provided objective criteria that must be met in order for tolls to be increased on the Dulles Greenway. That law will affect all future proposed toll increases after it goes into effect on July 1, 2021.

Phyllis Randall is the chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. "A toll rate increase of this magnitude would have put a heavy economic burden on Loudoun County motorists," she said. "The proposed toll increase would have had a disproportionate effect on small businesses and lower income citizens, many of whom cannot afford to use the Greenway at the current toll rates."

In their decision, the State Corporation Commission noted that "peak tolls should not be increased at this time due to the changes and uncertainty brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic." Their decision can be read in its entirety online.