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The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) recently negotiated a $1.6 billion design-build agreement with the Dulles Transit Partners L.L.C., a joint venture between engineering firms Bechtel Infrastructure Inc. and Washington Group International, for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail project’s first phase.

The total cost for the first phase could reach $2.7 billion, a figure that includes rail cars and right-of-way acquisitions, utility relocations, and staffing costs. In early 2008, DRPT hopes to obtain a $900 million Full Funding Grant Agreement from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help fund the construction costs.

In May, DRPT will request permission from the FTA to enter final design to keep the project on track for a spring 2008 construction start.

The project’s first phase would extend Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority Metrorail service 11 miles from East Falls Church to Reston, Va. The second phase would extend Metrorail service another 12 miles to Washington Dulles International Airport.