Moran Blasts Administration Over Dulles Rail Debacle

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., is steaming mad about the way the Dulles rail debate has digressed, and now he's unloading on the Bush administration.

"We're not going to get the $900 million in federal funding from this administration," Moran tells WTOP.

Moran blasted the current group at the Federal Transit Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation Tuesday, saying they are in "no mood" to say yes to the proposed 23-mile Metrorail extension.

"No matter how valiant Gov. (Tim) Kaine's efforts are, I think they are going to bounce off tin ears. I think (the administration) has made a decision probably for both political as well as budgetary reasons to reject this," says Moran.

Kaine will deliver a written response to both the FTA and the U.S. DOT by the end of the week. He is hoping it will spawn more face-to-face meeting with Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.

Still Moran was blunt about the future of the project.

"I don't see the Department of Transportation willing to be a partner. They have different objectives and it is not to serve the public's interest, at least within the Washington metro area."

Federal officials said they have serious concerns about providing funding for the proposed project last week.

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