The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation signed an agreement in June, 2004 with Dulles Transit Partners, LLC, a partnership of Bechtel Infrastructure and Washington Group International, to engineer, design and build the 23-mile Metrorail extension. The initial work by Dulles Transit Partners, LLC will be for Preliminary Engineering for the entire project for $45.4 million -- 8% lower than an independent engineering firm's estimate.
Preliminary Engineering will require approximately 15 months to complete and will provide more detailed cost information and an estimated schedule for project construction. Additionally, PE will address previously identified environmental issues, and resolve any major design or engineering issues that could be encountered during construction.