Taxpayers could be footing the bill for construction delays if Loudoun supervisors can’t soon decide whether they want to leave the planned Metrorail station where it is or move it to a location a few hundred feet away.

The board already has put off the decision for two business meetings because they have said they need more time to study the information available to them.

The issue is scheduled to be discussed again at the board’s March 16 meeting.

Patrick Nowakowski, executive director of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, warned the board March 2 that any further delay could hold up the construction timeline, which is set to begin in early 2012.

Marcia McAllister, Dulles Rail communications manager, said construction delay costs would depend on the length of the postponement.

“However, construction inflation is 2 to 3 percent a year these days on a $3 billion project,” McAllister said. “We have a commitment to complete the project and provide rail service to Dulles Airport and to eastern Loudoun in 2016.”

The current proposed location site is near the Route 606 and Dulles Greenway intersection.

At issue is whether to move the Metrorail station several hundred feet to the west or to a more centralized location on the already designated land. This option would involve more bridges and walkways to cater to pedestrians.

The board has worked for a year with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and nearby property owners to identify the location that would best maximize on private development and tax revenue.

Chris Antigone, managing member of Dulles Greenway Associates who owns property adjacent to the proposed site on the western location option, said he believed the station should be moved to that site.

“You’ve got something remarkable here and you’re going to lose it,” Antigone said.

He said he would be willing to pay for a study of the costs for moving the station and the economic impact.

The western option would include a station with two fare gates and three pedestrian pavilions. Plans for a more central location would include one far gate and one pedestrian pavilion.

The design for the current location includes one station entrance on the north side of the Dulles Greenway and one pedestrian bridge.

Eric R. Wells of WestDulles Properties, who owns 29 acres in the area of the current proposed station location, said he believed moving the station would jeopardize pedestrian comfort.

“The middle option would have a better arrival experience,” Wells said.

Wells said he would not be willing to fund a study on the impact of moving the location since he supports the current plan.