Loudoun County Again Joins Fight Against Greenway Toll Increase

ASHBURN, VA – Loudoun County is once more fighting to keep tolls on the Dulles Greenway from being increased.

Toll Road Investors Partnership II (TRIP II), the private operators of the Dulles Greenway toll road, are trying again to increase toll rates on the road, after a years-long fight over a larger increased ended with their defeat at the Virginia Supreme Court.

This time, TRIP II is trying to raise tolls for most cars from $5.80 to $6.75 during peak morning and afternoon hours and from $5.25 to $5.60 during off-peak hours.

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors announced May 5 that it would reprise its role and participate in the new case before Virginia’s State Corporation Commission.

The Greenway operator has also proposed two other possible toll changes, one at a lower rate, “should the Commission determiner mine a more gradual increase is appropriate,” and one at a higher rate that the company says will allow it to meet its financial obligations, but which it assumes the SCC would reject.

The SCC first denied TRIP II a toll increase in 2021, when it asked to increase tolls by more than 6 percent each year. The company tried again in 2023, requesting the two-axle rate be raised to $8.10 during peak hours, and $6.40 in off-peak hours. The SCC denied that request, a decision upheld by Virginia’s Supreme Court.

In its decision, the Virginia Supreme Court noted that traffic volume on the Greenway has been disappointing since it opened in 1995 and that TRIPS II has repeatedly refinanced its debt. It also noted that tolls have increased several times over the past decades. However, the court concluded that the income generated by the latest requested increase wouldn’t significantly affect the private company’s finances and that TRIPS II in fact had adequate cash reserves.

Loudoun County has consistently advocated for the Greenway to shift to a distance-based toll structure, which would result in lower tolls for some users.

It is now encouraging residents to take part in the SCC’s public comment process, either at an in-person meeting scheduled for June 29 at Rock Ridge High School in Ashburn or at a virtual meeting on July 1. It also encourages residents to submit written comments to the SCC through the mail or its virtual comment portal. More information on how to participate can be found here.