Today’s Post reports that the Metro extension to Dulles will be delayed at least a year. In other shocking news, the sun rises in the east.

Exploring the tunnel no doubt cost planners and engineers valuable time, county supervisors agreed. But they also blamed the delays on what they called the state’s sluggish management.

“The tunnel was a valiant effort,” said Fairfax Supervisor T. Dana Kauffman (D-Lee). “But the state is visibly trying to blame someone other than itself for its delays in setting the terms and conditions of the project.”

The delay means that riders — and voters — are unlikely to watch the first leg of the line break ground before next November, when the Board of Supervisors and General Assembly are up for reelection. Northern Virginia politicians in both parties are eager to show off a new rail line in the absence of other big transportation improvements in the congested region.

Delays like this are common to Metro and large transportation projects in general. In the end is another year going to matter too much for a project that is already 20 years overdue?