In+Motion Spring 2020 Vol 27 No 1

Dulles Rail Extension continued from p 1

President’s Column

MWAA is working with Capital Rail Constructors and Hensel Phelps to complete the project in a timely manner. MWAA is focusing on “quality, safety and durability” in determining the date for opening. When Capital Rail Constructors completes the main line system and Hensel Phelps completes the rail yard, the project will be turned over to WMATA for additional operational testing. When WMATA is satisfied with the operational readiness of Phase Two, it will set the opening date. Lea+Elliott has a staff of nearly 20 professionals who are playing a key role in supporting MWAA. Our activities on both phases span from FTA liaison and reporting, land use planning and acquisition, and environmental assessment to design review, factory test and field test of the grounding and cathodic protection systems, the traction power systems, the communications systems, and the automatic train control systems. Our efforts have been instrumental in moving the project forward. Thomas Crone, the Director, Program Operations for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project described Lea+Elliott as a “highly professional firm. Excellent Staff with high level of expertise. Would highly recommend for any project.”

Cost and Benefit Combine to Create Better Airports Airport access fees for rideshare services are common at many airports: National, Dulles, San Francisco, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy, Boston Logan, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty, to name a few. So, it

didn’t seem all that unusual for Phoenix’s Sky Harbor to institute a fee as well. After all, last year, Sky Harbor was named the “Best Large U.S. Airport” by The Wall Street Journal. But how is it supposed to keep that level of quality when its revenue from user fees continue to dramatically decline? We have watched this progression as Uber and Lyft have led to a decrease of about 60 percent of fees previously paid to the airport by taxicab companies. Uber and Lyft have also completely pushed Super Shuttle out of the competition, again reducing a former source of airport revenue. While air travel has increased by over 3 percent per year (prior to the pandemic) airport parking remained flat. The result? Three major funding sources have gone away. We are not opposed to the valuable rideshare company model. We just don’t want to see airports lose precious funding–money that supports future capital enhancement programs. That’s why we were in agreement when Arizona’s high court upheld an increase in rideshare fees at the airport. Previously, Uber and Lyft were charged $2.66 per curbside pickup and paid no fee for passenger drop-offs. As of May 1, they pay a $4 fee to both pick up and drop off passengers at Sky Harbor. This decision is good for the Airport. This fee will increase by 25 cents a year, until reaching $5 each way in 2024. I am proud to serve as a member of the Board of the Support Sky Harbor Coalition. This is an extremely effective advocacy organization and I believe many airports could benefit from developing a similar support mechanism. As advocates for the Airport we pool our talents, money and resources to make Sky Harbor the kind of airport that is worthy of The Wall Street Journal accolade I mentioned above. I encourage you to visit http://supportskyharbor.com/ and consider developing a similar model at other airports worldwide. I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing about these positive and proactive strategies for Sky Harbor. It helps to have a little good news in these crazy times. We, here at Lea+Elliott, are continuing to adhere to regional, state and national mandates to keep our employees–and by extension, their families–safe through this time of both economic and physical distress. My hope is that each of you remain strong and safe and healthy.

Installation of new signaling cable at Reston East/Wiehle Station Image credit: WMATA

Jack Norton

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Vol. 27 No 1