Driving along the Dulles Toll Road could cost people $6 beginning in January.

Currently, drivers pay a total of $4.75 to access the roadway at Virginia State Highway 267. Under a new proposal introduced Wednesday at a meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s board of directors, the rates would increase by 75 cents at the main toll plaza and 50 cents at off-ramps. The fees would help pay for the construction of the $5.8 billion Metro Silver Line project.

The last time Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority raised rates was in 2019. After that rate hike kicked in, there were fewer drivers using the toll road than before, but even so, revenue did not dip. MWAA reported a 31.9% increase in revenue the first three months of 2019 in part because of toll increases.

The Silver Line project, which would extend Metrorail service to Dulles International Airport and into Loudoun County, has been a decades-long effort that was originally supposed to be completed in 2018. The cost of the Silver Line is split between toll road users and Virginia, Loudoun and Fairfax counties, as well as the federal government. Construction of the line’s extension was deemed “substantially complete” in November 2021, meaning it was ready for final testing and to be placed officially in Metro’s control.

The proposed rate increase will also support operation, maintenance, and improvement of the Dulles Toll Road and to pay down WMAA’s debt.

If the financing plan is approved, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority would raise tolls by $1.25 every five years except in 2033. That year, the tolls would increase by $1.50.

The periodic increases could come to an end after the 2033 rate hike if the MWAA pays off its debt.

At least two lawsuits have been filed in court, challenging the use of toll road dollars to fund the Silver Line project, according to the Washington Post, but none of those challenges prevailed.

The public has an opportunity to weigh in on the 2023 proposed rate hikes. There are two public hearings planned for July 18 and 21. Then the Board of Directors will vote on Nov. 16.

Previously: 

Construction On The Silver Line Extension Is Complete, Project Will Soon Be Turned Over To Metro