TysonsTunnel.org, the organization that vocally supported an underground Metro Rail line through Tysons Corner, is out of money. The group was a major player in the debate over the heavy rail project. One reason it maintained such a high profile is that it spent more than $3 million on marketing and advocacy. Most most of that money came from WestGroup, reports Amy Gardner with the Washington Post.

Trouble is, WestGroup, the value of whose landholdings on the proposed Metro route would have been maximized by underground stations, has provided no money to the group for a year, and senior executives are happy to see the heavy rail project moving forward. Further controversy would only slow the project down, and WestGroup would rather see it built aboveground than not at all.

Founder Scott Monett is still fighting the good fight, however, calling for a rally later this month to revive the debate and raise money. I’ll be interested to see what level of interest he can generate.

Even more, I’d love to know all the money spent on advocacy, lobbying and lawsuits in Rail-to-Dulles. I wish someone would do a nose count of all the special interest groups mobilized to promote one view or another, and then add up the total funds expended. As aside exercise, I wish someone would add up all the groups organized to represent the interests of Dulles Toll Road commuters… Oh, I forgot, that’s easy. No one represents the toll road commuters. Their job is just to pay their money every day and sit quietly in the corner.