Dulles Toll Road rate hike expected

CHANTILLY, Va. - A plan to increase Dulles Toll Road rates is expected to move forward, despite objections from commuters.

The Metropolitan Airports Authority board operates the road and is expected to approve the proposal in committee Wednesday. The full board would likely decide on the increases Nov. 4.

Plans call for raising tolls from 75 cents to $1.50 at the main gate and from 50 to 75 cents at the ramps by 2012.

The airports authority is using highway tolls, federal money and special tax districts to finance the $5 billion extension of Metro to Dulles International Airport.

Many people have objected to raising tolls at public hearings and online. A person from Aldie wrote the entire region should pay for Metro through taxes, rather than making Loudoun County commuters foot the bill.