Dulles Rail Project Gets $85 Million

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- The fiscal year 2010 transportation spending bill approved tonight by the House Transportation Appropriations subcommittee includes $85 million for the Dulles rail project.

The money is the first to come since the full funding grant agreement was signed in March by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The additional funding will bring the total federal share to date for the project to more than $440 million.

"This project is going to make a big difference in helping ease congestion in the region," according to Rep. Frank Wolf ( R-10th ) "It is going to get cars off the Dulles corridor and connect the nation's capital to one of the world's leading international airports."

The full Appropriations committee will take up the annual spending bill on Friday. The Senate is expected to take up its version of the annual spending bill later this summer.