DC, Maryland, Virginia leaders meet as Metro seeks $500 million in additional funding

MOUNT VERNON, Va. - Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan along with the District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser met on Monday to discuss how they will grapple with the huge costs of getting Metro running smoothly again as Metro general manager Paul Wiedefeld is seeking $500 million from the local jurisdictions.

The three leaders met in Mount Vernon, Virginia, for a regional meeting. Wiedefeld was also in attendance along with former transportation secretary Ray LaHood.

After their summit ended, they said they all agree Metro needs the requested funding. They also came to agreement that Metro needs a smaller board as it is too inefficient in its current form.

But coming up with the $500 million was a question that still remained unanswered.

"The number that we have heard is it's going to take $500 million over the next 10 years to be in a state of good repair," said Bowser. "That doesn't even account for the growth of this region."

"I will work with my legislature before they come into session," said McAuliffe. "We are already having meeting to come up with a plan. I'm not going to answer your question today. I would be foolish to do that."

"I think we are all in agreement that we need to finalize Secretary LaHood's report and take a look at it, and look at Paul Wiedefeld's numbers on where the shortfall is, and then find a way to come up with some solutions," said Hogan.

LaHood said he has finished his work on his Metro report and he expects to have it drafted and released in October. He said it could wind up that D.C., Maryland and Virginia each come up with their own solution in getting the $500 million.