Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spending questioned while planning Dulles Toll Road hikes

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) board of directors is under scrutiny for ethical conduct and questionable contracting practices at a time when the MWAA is planning to increase toll fees for the Dulles Toll Road.

The toll road was transferred to the MWAA by the Virginia Department of Transportation in 2008 to help finance the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project and improvements to the toll road itself. Public hearings and comment on the proposed three-phase rate increases—from the current $2.25 for a two-axle vehicle to $4.50 in 2015—will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., in September at the following dates and locations:

• Thursday, September 6, 2012, Stone Bridge High School Cafeteria, 43100 Hay Road, Ashburn, VA 20147
• Wednesday, September 12, 2012, South Lakes High School Cafeteria, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston, VA 20191
• Thursday, September 13, 2012, Spring Hill Elementary School, 8201 Lewinsville Road, McLean, VA 22102

According to a July 16, 2012, presentation by the MWAA to the Virginia Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability, Fairfax County has committed to fund up to $400 million dollars for phase one and $565.79 million for phase two (approximately 16.1 percent) of the nearly $6 billion project, which includes a Route 28 Station and Phase 2 parking garages.

Other funding sources include Federal (15 percent); Commonweath of Virginia (4.9 percent); Loudon County (4.8 percent); MWAA Aviation Funds (4.1 percent); and MWAA Dulles Toll Road (54 percent).

The recent controversy over the MWAA board’s conduct seemingly stems from a May 15, 2012, preliminary report from the Department of Transportation’s office of the Inspector General on “the management and governance” of the MWAA. The review was requested by 10th District Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), and Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA) in March 2011.

Wolf serves on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. According to a March 1, 2011, press release, the congressman also asked the Government Accountability Office to conduct a similar review of the MWAA. In 2002, the GAO released a report that concluded the MWAA’s contracting practices do not always comply with airport lease requirements.

In the DOT IG’s 18-page report, several instances of internal policy and oversight weaknesses “related to financial disclosures, travel, and transparency” as well as contracting policies and procedures, were found.

In an August 14 letter to Michael A. Curto, chairman of the MWAA board, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, and Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray urged the board to cooperate with the federal accountability officer appointed to address their concerns about the board’s ability to “competently promote, protect, and manage the airports and other transportation activities.”

“With her guidance, you must upgrade your procurement and travel policies and procedures, ethics code, and bylaws, bringing them in line with best Federal practices,” the four officials state.

Curto and John E. Potter, President and CEO of the MWAA, responded in an August 14 statement that they are making “significant progress” in several of the areas of concern.

“We will discuss our progress in all these areas in more detail at public Board meetings on September 5 and 19.  We are mindful that public trust is essential to the Authority’s success in performing its missions of operating Reagan National and Dulles International Airports, operating the Dulles Toll Road and building the Metrorail Silver Line. We acknowledge the concerns of the Secretary of Transportation, our elected officials and others, and we are committed to restoring public trust wherever it is lost and to earning and assuring the confidence of the people we serve.” the statement concluded.

The MWAA was established in in 1987 with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Act of 1986, Title VI of Public Law 99-500, and codified in Title 49 of the United States Code. The MWAA operates the Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports, under a 50-year lease owned by the federal government, with revenue from aircraft landing fees, rents, concessions, and other fees.

According to the MWAA’s history web page, the Dulles Development Program is funded by bonds issued by the MWAA, federal and state airport improvement program funds, and passenger facility charges.

The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project receives funding from the Airports Authority and Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Federal Government, and Dulles Toll Road revenue.

The members of the board are appointed by the President of the United States, the Governors of Virginia and Maryland, and the Mayor of Washington, DC, to establish MWAA policy. There are presently 12 members, each serving 6-year terms without compensation.