D.C. Mayor Now Favors Above-Ground Dulles Metro

District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray said he now favors an above-ground Metrorail station at Dulles International Airport and has urged the district's three members of a regional airports board to switch their votes on the controversial project.

The board voted 9-4 in April to build an underground station, which would cost about $300 million more, with the difference in cost being paid by Virginia commuters and local governments.

Gray, a Democrat, said Wednesday he changed his mind after extensive talks with Republican Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell. Gray now says the underground station could “imperil” the entire Metrorail extension to Dulles.

The board had a regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday. If all three D.C. members were to switch their votes, it could swing the board in favor of the above-ground option.