The Orange line may finally stretch to Dulles airport, 2012 is the proposed deadline for the first phase of expansion.  23 miles for the bargain basement price of $900 million!  That works out to only $39 million a mile, what a steal!  Yesterday plans were finally approved that met national transportation requirements for ridership, value and need, aside form getting you to Dulles without having to take a cab, this will also create some interesting development along the corridor.  Loudoun County may no longer feel like West Virginia and become part of the metro area.  This should also drive suburban sprawl, industry and life to the region, who knows maybe the next Clarendon is out west somewhere waiting to be discovered?  This is a great step in the right direction, by making Dulles metro accessible we are truly bringing DC one step closer to the world, you can take the metro and get just about anywhere in the world without having to drive!  The only down side to all this is that by the time the train arrives at Ballston and points East, it will probably already be packed, now this is nothing to halt progress, but a concern nonetheless.  Although I would much rather have to stand for 15 minutes if it means I can take the metro to Dulles.  In an environment where global warming, climate change, call it what you will, is allegedly such an issue, these are the type of projects the government should be investing in.  Efficient, valuable and beneficial projects that encourage mass transit and a cleaner environment are the best way to make a global impact.