1 day after talking to bloggers, Metro's Catoe announces resignation

Catoe stepping down after three years at the helm -
Not even 24 hours after he sat down with leading D.C. bloggers, including my former colleague Tom Bridge of We Love DC, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority General Manager John Catoe announced he would resign on April 2. The move signals the end of Catoe's rocky 3 years as WMATA head saw the nation's second largest subway system suffer its worst accident on June 22 (Red Line crash is worst Metro accident ever ), several employees killed on the job, a number of suicides on the tracks and worsening service. To blame Catoe, a D.C. native, for these incidents would be unfair, but he has not been able to reverse the trend. Catoe's career was more focused on buses than rails which may have hindered his time in charge. His quote about the safety problems becoming "an unhealthy distraction" is telling though. Safety problems are not what I call a "distraction." Ultimately though, the problems of an aging system and the economic crisis has been Metro's biggest problems.

As soon as I heard the news, I wondered if Dan Tangherlini would be a candidate to replace Catoe. In 2006, Tangherlini was interim general manager of Metro to great acclaim. He wanted the job permanently, but when the WMATA board wanted an extended search, Tangherlini took a job with the Adrian Fenty administration (Tangherlini leaving Metro to return to District government). I remember when Tangherlini left I told a few people that he might get another shot someday. I don't envy him if it is now though, the outlook for Metro is grim on just about all fronts.

Metro General Manager John Catoe Jr. to resign - The Post

Metro, WMATA,Mass Transit, John Catoe, Dan Tangherlini

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posted by WFY @ 8:49 PM | |

Red Line crash is worst Metro accident ever

There has been a terrible collision between two Metro trains in Northeast D.C. this evening with at least six killed and scores injured.

Red Line Collision Kills at Least Six - The Post

WeLoveDC.com is liveblogging the situation.

UPDATE, TUESDAY MORNING: Former blogging colleague Tom Bridge of WeLoveDC.com on CTV. One note, Canadian TV crews ought to improve their U.S. geography.

Metro, WMATA, REd Line,Mass Transit, crash, dc

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posted by WFY @ 8:34 PM | |

TysonsTunnel.org, Sierra Club sue for underground Silver Line

Groups to sue over Metro's expansion - WTOP
A potential delay to the Silver Line, already being constructed through Tysons Corner, has emerged:

The group, TysonsTunnel.org, has been pushing for an underground route through the area. It is teaming up with the environmental group, Sierra Club, to file the suit.

A national watchdog group is expected to join the suit.

Scott A. Monett, president of TysonsTunnel and the vice chair of the Sierra Club's Great Falls group, won't name the watchdog group, but does say it's a "good governance group."

Again, too little too late. While I would have preferred an underground Metro line through Tysons Corner for long term cost and aesthetic concerns, I can live with an above ground one. The mobilization for making sure the Silver Line was a tunnel came years too late. This suit, if it does not get thrown out, will just add years to the construction and millions to the cost.

Silver Spring seems to do just fine with the Red Line elevated through it, so I think Tysons will too. Crystal City gets by with having an airport and at-grade railroad adjacent to it as well and nobody seems to mind.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 10:00 AM | |

District will pay to keep Metro open for late Nats games

In Change, City Will Cover Metro Fees for Late Night Games - The Post
This morning, I wrote a post about the District's decision to stop paying Metro to keep the trains running after Nats games that go past regular closing time. I had it scheduled to go live at 10 a.m. However, the District reversed the decision:

In an about-face, a top District official says the city will cover the costs for Metro to extend its hours to accommodate ticket holders at Washington Nationals games that are rain-delayed or go late because of extra innings.

"We want people to have a wonderful time at the games and not be stranded on the way out," Deputy Mayor Neil O. Albert said today.

Albert's comments came after District transportation director Gabe Klein informed Metro officials in a letter last week that the city would no longer pay the late-service fee because of the city's budget difficulties. Team officials said they did not find out about the change in policy until Monday night, when a rain delay pushed the game past Metro's midnight closing.

Albert said the confusion about the city's payment of late-service fees was the result of "one part of the administration not communicating with another part of the administration."

This should not be too big a deal, given the 1-3 times a year this tends to happen. The front office ought to keep this in mind next time though, rookie pitcher or not.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Metro, WMATA, dc

Labels: Metro, Nats/MLB 2009, The District, Transportation, Washington Nationals

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posted by WFY @ 12:06 PM | |

Metro's Nats plans for Opening Day, season

Take Metro to cheer for the Nationals this season - WMATA
Metro has issued a press release about Nationals Park Opening Day. Among the details:

On Monday, April 13, the regular season home opener for the Washington Nationals, Metro will start afternoon rush hour service at 1 p.m., a full two hours before the start of the baseball game. Metro expects to carry about 20,000 people to and from Nationals Park for the 3:05 p.m. game against the Philadelphia Phillies. With the game expected to conclude between 6 and 7 p.m., Metro will be operating rush hour service on all rail lines to accommodate the crowds.

Metro reminds everyone attending Monday’s home opener to expect large crowds at the Navy Yard Metrorail station, and the two main transfer stations to the Green Line, Gallery Place-Chinatown and L'Enfant Plaza. Metro will have personnel and Transit Police at all three stations.

Following the game, Metro volunteers sporting Nationals gear will be at the Navy Yard Metrorail station to remind patrons to check their SmarTrip card or farecard to ensure they have enough money to enter or exit the Metrorail system.

THe ride home could be a little hairy, maybe I can bum a ride off of someone back to Pentagon City where I am going to park.

Here are several resources for the whole season:

• Go Metro! Go Nats! Take Metro to Nationals Park. - WMATA
  
  
• The Way to Go - nationals.com

Some good news, the forecast is slightly better (high 55° F) for Monday than it was yesterday.


Washington Nationals, Nats, Metro, WMATA, subway, Opening Day, Nationals Park

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posted by WFY @ 2:00 PM | |

How the Silver Line Metro is going to be built

Metrorail Heading In a New Direction - The Post
Details of what the Silver Line construction through Tysons Corner is going to be like over the next several years. It won't be much fun, but the payoff is huge.

Also: Map

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

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posted by WFY @ 2:48 PM | |

Metro Rail to Tysons -- Silver Line now official!

Officials Formalize Funding for Dulles Metro Extension - The Post
At long last, the Silver Line, a Metro corridor between Arlington and Tysons Corner is official!

...the real action will start in a matter of days about 15 miles to the west, where demolition of roads and bridges and heavy construction of overhead piers will become an unwelcome fact of life during the next six years for commuters and residents of McLean, Tysons Corner, Vienna and beyond. The result, boosters say, will be worth it: a public transit system serving the region's primary international airport and Virginia's most prosperous jobs corridor.

Today's ceremony at the Transportation Department's headquarters near the Washington Navy Yard featured a roster of local, state and federal luminaries seeking to revel in -- and take credit for -- the project's success. Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.), Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and former senator John Warner (R-Va.) were among those attending.

Emphasis added by me. This is long overdue and much needed. The next few years in Tysons may not be fun to commute to and from but it is not like it is right now.

The second phase of the project from Whiele Ave. to Ashburn still has some hurdles to clear.

New Metrorail Line Really Coming - Dr. Gridlock, The Post

Project Web site: Dulles Metrorail Project
I like the headline and the tone of this blog post which includes the backstory of the last year -- make sure you read it.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

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posted by WFY @ 12:16 PM | |

Silver Line gets final USDOT approval

U.S. Transportation Chief Backs Dulles Rail Project - The Post
The Silver Line is very, very close to being official.

After a series of regulatory setbacks in 2008, rail to Dulles was revived last month when the Federal Transit Administration discarded long-standing skepticism about the project's cost and management and sent it on to Peters for final action. Yesterday's news marks what state, local and congressional boosters said is the government's irreversible approval of the project.

All that remains for a sixty day comment period in Congress and then presumably the project is officially underway. Planned completion of the first phase of the line, between Whiele Ave. in Reston and West Falls Church is 2013. It will be thirty years too late, but better late than ever.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

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posted by WFY @ 12:05 PM | |

FTA officially says yes to Silver Line

Federal Regulators Sign Off on Dulles Rail Extension - The Post

The Federal Transit Administration approved the extension, which now heads to U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and the Office of Management and Budget for final sign-off. Approval from the FTA, where regulators had attacked the proposal as too expensive and poorly managed, is widely viewed as a critical moment for a project that local and state officials say is crucial to relieve traffic and spur economic growth at Tysons Corner and along the Dulles corridor.

Feds approve first phase of Dulles Rail project - WTOP
This is great news for our region, this is a badly needed project. Hopefully Peters and OMB will sign off soon and the construction can really get going.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

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posted by WFY @ 6:11 AM | |

It will be elevated through Tysons Corner and in the median of the Dulles Toll/Access Road for the rest of the way, except at the airport I believe.

# posted by  WFY : Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:19:00 PM  

Schrag on Silver Line reversal

Recently, I reached out to George Mason University history professor Dr. Zachary Schrag for commentary on the Federal Transportation Administration's decision to continue funding the Dulles Corridor Metro line. He was kind enough to provide some commentary:

At this point, the history of the Silver Line has been marked by such tangles of planning, engineering, architecture, finance, and politics that it rivals in complexity the decision to build the original Metro system. I am not going to write a book on the subject, but I hope someone else takes up the challenge.

Schrag wrote The Great Society Subway about Metro. In it, he argued that building the Orange Line to Tysons in the first place might have made more sense.

PREVIOUSLY

Schrag on Dulles-Tysons Metro situation
2006 INTERVIEW: Q & A: The Great Society Subway

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posted by WFY @ 5:51 AM | |

The Silver Line's long road ahead

Dulles Rail Still Has Miles to Go, Hurdles to Clear - The Post
A lot still needs to happen for the Silver Line to get built and there are a few ways and a number of people who will try to stop it.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 6:12 AM | |

Lazarus Metro line roundup

EDITORIAL - Dulles Rail's Revival - The Post

Its resurrection is a triumph of common sense over dogma and suggests that, contrary to the general impression of the state of governance in Washington, rational outcomes remain possible when grown-ups put their heads together. More specifically, it is a testament to the wisdom and perseverance of officials at Metro, which would operate the 23-mile extension; the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which would manage its construction; Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.), who spearheaded the lobbying with Transportation Secretary Mary Peters to reverse what had seemed like the feds' unequivocal rejection; and Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D).

Let us hope this cooperation continues on what may be a bumpy ride on the way to making this Metro line happen.

Metro Extension Plan Revived, But Officials Include Conditions - The Post
Dulles rail project gets federal reprieve - The Wash. Times
Rail decision thrusts Tysons development back to forefront - The Wash. Examiner
The details on how this came together and some information about what still needs to happen for it to keep going. The biggest sticking point will be addressing the current Metro system woes and find the funding to fix them. It is not over yet, not by a long shot and may in fact just be getting started.

After Months of Lobbying, Business Leaders Can Celebrate - The Post
The revival of the Silver Line is a cause for celebration in business circles.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

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posted by WFY @ 12:47 PM | |

More details on Dulles Corridor Metro

Dulles Rail Gets Federal Approval - The Post
As expected (since this morning at least), USDOT announced today that it is now supporting the proposal to build the Silver Line along the Dulles Corridor.

In a letter to Kaine and in a 10 a.m. conference call with the governor and Virginia congressional leaders, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said the $5 billion project had finally met the Federal Transit Administration's standards for cost efficiency, construction and expected ridership. The project will now move into the final design phase, a major step toward receiving $900 million in federal funding.

"As a result of the collaboration between federal and state officials, the project sponsor and other project stakeholders, the financial stability and oversight of the project has improved," Peters wrote to Kaine in a letter obtained by The Washington Post. "Cost reductions have been verified and mechanisms have been established to enhance inter-organizational cooperation, technical capacity and project management."

Good news, but this isn't fait accompli just yet:

Still, Peters went on, "much work remains" to make the project right. Today's approval comes with conditions that must be met if the project is to receive federal funding. Without that money, state and local officials have said that the project would die, ending the possibility of a long-sought rail connection between the nation's capital and its major international airport. Supporters say the line would ease congestion through Virginia's biggest jobs corridor and keep the economy humming with the transformation of suburban Tysons Corner into a thriving downtown.

Among the conditions, Peters said in her letter, is a sweeping demand that Virginia and the Metro system guarantee the capital investment necessary to maintain and operate Metro. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority recently identified $489 million in "urgent unfunded capital needs," Peters said.

Virginia better not drop the ball on this one.

There is a chat about the decision going on right now on washingtonpost.com.

EARLIER: Silver line back on track?!

UPDATE 6:30 a.m. Thursday: I will be posting more about this topic after 12 p.m. today, so check back later.

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posted by WFY @ 12:41 PM | |

Silver line back on track?!

Dulles Rail Set to Get Federal Approval - The Post
Apparently, Virginia and the U.S. Department of Transportation has found a way to make the Dulles Corridor Metro project, tentatively called the Silver Line, meet the "Federal Transit Administration's standards for cost efficiency, construction and expected ridership." It appears U.S. DOT secretary Mary Peters overruled FTA. Good job, Peters that was the correct decision.

This is excellent news, I am glad that we can finally get started on a project that is long overdue.

Now, we get to see the tunnel vs. elevated argument start up again. I would love to see it underground, but I don't see that happening at this point.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

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posted by WFY @ 5:16 AM | |

Busy sports night in D.C., plan accordingly

There are three sporting events (Nats, Wizards, United home games) going on in the District tonight, so there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Nats Express parking will be in Lot 7 at RFK, not Lot 8 because D.C. United has a home match.
  
• A few stops along the Green Line may be crowded, especially Gallery Place/Chinatown
  
• Single-game parking can be bought online at the Nationals Way to Go page. There are apparently plenty of spots available. I think selling parking online is an excellent way at handling traffic management too.
  
• There is no need to get all worked up about this or the Nationals attendance right now. I know that goes against our instincts as cynical, overreacting Washingtonians, but this whole thing is all going to work itself out. Just allow a little extra time and enjoy.

All told, there will probably at least 55,000 fans at three different venues tonight. Go Nats! Go Wiz! Go United!

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Labels: DC United/MLS, Metro, Nats/MLB 2008, Transportation, Wizards/NBA

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posted by WFY @ 6:01 AM | |

As the Silver Line slowly dies, TysonsTunnel throws in the towel

Tysons Tunnel Supporters Withdraw Lawsuit - WTOP
I have not seen much news about the Silver Line (Ashburn to West Falls Church via Dulles & Tysons) for some time now. Today, the news broke that TysonsTunnel.org has decided to drop its lawsuit against U.S. Department of Transportation because of the expected denial of $900 million of funding.

Gov. Tim Kaine needs to get this project back on track and resubmit it to USDOT next year when a different administration is involved.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 12:52 PM | |

This just in: Take Metro to ballpark

District to Limit Visitor Parking Near Ballpark - The Post
Stadium's plan discourages driving - The Wash. Times
MARC FISHER - Seriously. Take Metro. - The Post
If you are not a season ticket holder with a parking pass don't expect to drive to the ballpark area, take Metro (rail or bus) instead. If you really want to drive, you can park at RFK Stadium and take a shuttle bus to Nationals Park.

JDLand.com's Near Southeast DC Redevelopment site has a section about Stadium Transportation and Parking that is worth a look.

Team Still Feels The Love From An Old Friend - The Post
Chico struggles during first outing - The Wash. Times
LHP Matt Chico emerged from last night's outing vs. Florida (a 3-3 tie) without giving up a run, but threw only 16 of 32 pitches for strikes.

RHP Garrett Mock, acquired with Chico in the LIVAN! trade, pitched two innings, giving up an unearned run. He is not expected to make the majors this spring.

Chico was the latest player featured in an washingtonpost.com video:




For Johnson, An Exhibition Of Pure Joy - The Post
Johnson avoids another collision - AP/Florida Today
1B Nick Johnson played his first competitive baseball game since Sept. 23, 2006 last night. Johnson told 3B Ryan Zimmerman that he "Slept in my uniform last night." He also fielded a fly ball much like the one that resulted in his collision with RF Austin Kearns. By the way, Jim Bowden is already hinting a trade of either Johnson or Dmitri Young.

Nats Lose First Battle Over New Stadium - WTOP
The District defeated the Nationals in arbitration over "ancillary items at the new stadium, such as golf carts, fork lifts, and medical and office equipment." That will save the city $4.2 million. I don't understand why the team was trying to get that from the city.

Do you wonder what it is like to be a sports photographer?


washingtonpost.com's Nationals RSS feed made its monthly/quarterly appearance in Google Reader at 1:18 a.m. this morning. I had 41 total headlines dating back February 10.

Labels: Metro, Nats/MLB 2008, Transportation, Video

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posted by WFY @ 5:51 AM | |

Two Silver Line stories

Dulles Rail faces new bids - The Wash. Examiner
Del. Dave Albo, R-Springfield and Del. Joe May, R-Leesburg inserted language into a budget bill that would force the first leg of the Silver Line to be rebid. Given the shady way the project was put together, that sounds reasonable.

This was from Saturday:

2 Top Republicans Try to Jump-Start Dulles Rail Plan, Raising Some Hopes - The Post
An encouraging sign:

Minority Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (Va.) sent Transportation Secretary Mary Peters a letter this week, saying: "It is vitally important that this project move forward. Open dialogue between Virginia and the Department of Transportation will make certain that lawmakers are best able to alleviate the burden of increasing traffic congestion and transportation demands across the entire national capital region."

It is good to see someone from outside of Virginia getting involved too.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 12:39 PM | |

Chat transcript: Pearlstein on Silver Line

Somehow I missed a chat hosted by Post business columnist Steven Pearlstein about the Dulles Corridor Metro project. It is quite an interesting and presents several points of view, though Pearlstein favors building it through a Metro line above other modes and wants it to go through Tysons. Pearlstein also outlines how he wants the project saved in his Wednesday column.

You may recall he wrote a column in 2006 praising Tysons' Messy Vitality that I thought was silly and so did Robert K. Lewis.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport, Steven Pearlstein

Labels: BeltwayLand, Chats, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 5:50 AM | |

Navy Yard Metro update

Crews Pick Up Pace to Renovate Metro Station - The Post
An update on the Navy Yard Metro station expansion.

The station renovation is a $20 million project, paid for with federal funds, with an excavation of 65 feet and installation of elevators, ticket kiosks and eight more turnstiles, bringing the total to 13.

After falling behind in August, the pace has put it back on schedule:

Work on the station started 13 months ago and initially moved slowly. City construction permits were delayed, and in August the project was two months behind schedule, said Mamoud Hosseini, president of Clark Civil, a division of Clark Construction. Clark Civil is renovating the station while another division works on the building overhead and another builds the ballpark.

Now, Hosseini said, the station renovation is back on schedule, with all of the inside work to be finished by the end of this month. Work is also proceeding at street level, where the kiosk, ticket machines and turnstiles are to be installed.

BREAKOUT: Game Day Strategy

Labels: Metro, Nats/MLB 2008, The District, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 5:19 AM | |

Is the Purple Line in trouble too?

Dulles Rail Problems With FTA Worry Md. - The Post
With the FTA showing reluctance to fund Virginia's Silver Line, Maryland officials are concerned that mass transit projects like the Purple Line won't be funded either.

As for the Silver Line, proposed to connect West Falls Church to Ashburn, it isn't dead yet, according to Dr. Gridlock's Get There blog.

Also, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority took issue with the FTA's suggestion (WTOP) that it couldn't handle building the Silver Line.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport, Purple Line

Labels: BeltwayLand, Maryland, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 5:58 AM | |

Kaine wants specifics from FTA

U.S. Input Sought to Save Rail To Dulles - The Post
Gov. Tim Kaine, in an open letter (PDF), has asked the Federal Transit Administration to identify specifics on how to get the $900 million funding. He should have asked for this days ago.

WMATA head John Catoe disagrees with FTA's assessment that Metro can't handle another line.

House of Delegates speaker William Howell wants to start the project over from scratch. He is a proponent of bus rapid transit.

Kaine presses for Dulles rail project - The Wash. Times

Kaine: Changes could save Dulles Rail - The Wash. Examiner

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 8:43 AM | |

Friday's Silver Line stories

Would it surprise you to learn a source close to Governor Tim Kaine has told WTOP that the governor knew the were storm clouds over the Dulles corridor rail project last summer? Perhaps the governor has been playing politics since the FTA voiced no confidence in the project recently. Shocking.

The Wash. Examiner says there is pessimism that the current project can be salvaged enough to get $900 million in federal funding.

WMATA reaffirmed that it still supports the project too.

The state needs to get its act together and push hard with the next administration for some federal funding. It seems pretty clear this isn't going to happen until then.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 12:25 PM | |

Not too much Silver Line news

Governor at center of two transit disputes - The Wash. Times
Speaker of the House William J. Howell claims to have been ignored when he warned the the Dulles Corridor Metro project was flawed. He was opposed to involving the Metropolitan Washington Aiports Authority in the project and in favor of private financing that may have included "selling the rights" to collect tolls on the Dulles Toll Road. Howell wants "the General Assembly should push for the oversight authority to investigate how the state got in this position" which sounds like a good idea, provided its mandate is to figure out how to get the project back on track, not to merely place blame.

Anti-Transit Bias May Be Hurting Dulles Rail - AP/WTOP
This is a pretty good summary of where the Tysons-Dulles Corridor situation is right now and how it got here.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 6:00 AM | |

More Silver Line news

The Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce has set up a petition Web site -- www.dullesmetrorailnow.org

The Wash. Examiner editorializes against the project.

Jim Moran probably didn't help matters (WTOP) by acting like, well Jim Moran.

Times Community Newspapers coverage:

Rumors and uncertainty fill the void left by teetering Metro project

Northern Virginia's future hinges on rail talks

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner

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posted by WFY @ 12:03 PM | |

Wednesday's Silver Line update

Kaine Raises The Specter Of Higher Dulles Tolls - The Post
If the Federal Transit Administration denies $900 million for the Dulles-Tysons Metro expansion, increased tolls on the Dulles Toll Road could be one way of making up the shortfall. Governor Tim Kaine says he doesn't want to support that though.

Kaine thought Dulles was deal on track - The Wash. Times
Yet another article about how Gov. Kaine feels blindsided by the FTA. We know, stop taking about it and figure out how to get this done.

Metro official accuses project heads of failure to fix flaws, letters show - Th Wash. Examiner
A WMATA official expressed concerns about the Silver Line twice since November.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 5:50 AM | |

I don't believe Greenway tolls are part of the Silver Line funding mechanism. That road is a public/private partnership that is different from the Dulles Toll Rd. There have already been toll increases on the Toll Rd. to pay for the Silver Line.

# posted by  WFY : Wednesday, January 30, 2008 9:14:00 AM  

Hope or tease for Silver Line? USDOT grants "cooling off period"

Va. Gains Time to Save U.S. Funding for Dulles Rail - The Post
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters has announced a cooling off period for the FTA and Virginia regarding Tysons-Dulles Metro extension. One source close to the governor suggested that "There is a glimmer here. It may be a temporary cessation of hostilities. It may be a pathway to getting this thing approved." The lead contractor has also agreed to add an extra 30 days to the escalation clause that was to kick in on Friday, Feb. 1.

FTA Agrees To Extend Deadline On Dulles Decision - WTOP

Kaine given more time on rail rebuttal - The Wash. Examiner

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, DullesAirport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 5:45 AM | |

Monday updates on Tysons-Dulles Metro

The fallout from the FTA's show of no confidence in the existing Dulles corridor Metro plan continues to generate coverage.

Private Interest In Rail To Dulles - The Post
The Carlyle Infrastructure Fund is mentioned as a potential private investor. Private financing of public transportation has the FTA's endorsement.

Dulles Rail proponents fending off blame - The Wash. Examiner

EDITORIAL - Tysons turnabout - The Wash. Times

Politicians Scramble to Save Dulles Rail Project - WTOP

The Post's Get There blog wonders what Plan B winds up being and notes

"the Federal Transit Administration said it doubted whether the Washington airports authority could manage the project. Let's take that concern as valid for a moment.

If the airports authority, which is managing the multi-billion dollar expansion of Dulles Airport, can't manage construction of a Metrorail line, who could?

How about Metro?

No. After Metro built out the five rail lines as planned, it got out of the rail construction business. It no longer has a department that could immediately turn its attention to the task of building a new rail line across the District or the suburbs."

Today's Roads & Rails chat was focused on this issue as well.

Here is the MWAA project Web site: dullesmetro.com

Even though I rarely refer to this as the "Silver Line" (I don't know if that is an official name or merely an anticipated one) I have gone ahead and created a category for Dulles Corridor rail called "Silver Line."

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, DullesAirport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 12:50 PM | |

A solution for Tysons-Dulles Rail

Given the events of last week, I think that Virginia officials, WMATA and MWAA need to visit this guy:


You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles.

Falling that, they need to get better organized, be more specific about who is doing what and wait for the next administration. Hopefully that one won't be looking to excuse itself from the traditional government role of building infrastructure.

Metro, WMATA, Silver Line,Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, DullesAirport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 5:51 AM | |

Latest on Dulles corridor Metro

Contradictions Surface in Dulles Rail Talks - The Post
Virginia: You blindsided us!
FTA: No we didn't!

They need to get past that and figure out how to make this happen. It might have to wait until the next administration is in office.

Metro, WMATA, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, DullesAirport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 10:02 AM | |

Schrag on Dulles-Tysons Metro situation

This morning, I asked Zachary Schrag, assistant professor of history at George Mason University and author of The Great Society Subway: A History of the Washington Metro, if he had any comments on the letter FTA chief James Simpson sent to Governor Kaine about the Dulles-Tysons Metro extension. Dr. Schrag responded:

In June 2007, James S. Simpson told the APTA Rail Conference, "we have one shot at building these projects; so we need to build them right and we need to build them to last. Perhaps by thinking big again, we can develop the kind of national consensus we need to assure that we get the kind of cities, and nation, that we want, and find the resources to pay for them."
Remarks: James S. Simpson, Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, APTA Rail Conference, June 4, 2007

I find little of that approach in his January 24 letter to Governor Kaine. What does Simpson think Tysons Corner should look like a century from now? What does he think Loudoun County should look like a century from now? Unless he explain what kind of metropolitan area, and what kind of nation he wants, I don't see how he can evaluate the Dulles Line proposal.

Thank you for you input Dr. Schrag.

EARLIER TODAY:
FTA to Dulles corridor Metro: DROP DEAD

2006 INTERVIEW:
Q & A: The Great Society Subway

Metro, WMATA, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles Airport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot

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posted by WFY @ 12:23 PM | |

FTA to Dulles corridor Metro: DROP DEAD

Dulles Rail Project All but Dead - The Post
Virginia officials are saying the Federal Transit Administration has blindsided them with the announcement that the Metro expansion on the Dulles corridor is not likely to receive $900 million of federal funding. The Post obtained the letter FTA chief James Simpson sent to Governor Tim Kaine (PDF).

Not surprisingly, a Post editorial wonders why the FTA took so long (after many millions of dollars were already spent) to announce its intentions. It also raises the question of how much administration ideology played a part (The Post) in the FTA's handling of the Dulles corridor Metro.

These recent developments are bad news for Northern Virginia and greater Washington D.C. There has been failure at just about every possible level along the way. Hopefully, this is just a setback, albeit a large one, to bringing mass transit to the 17th largest business district and 16th busiest airport in the country.

More from The Wash. Times: Years of planning, investment unravel at likely death of Dulles Rail

UPDATES:

Post columnist Marc Fisher chimes in on Raw Fisher.

Eric McErlain wonders what happens to all of that toll revenue that was suppossed to fund the project on Off Wing Opinion

Metro, WMATA, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, DullesAirport

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot

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posted by WFY @ 6:16 AM | |

Tysons-Dulles Metro in jeopardy

Dulles Rail Project Verging on Collapse - The Post
The details are still emerging, but it appears the Silver Line linking West Falls Church to Ashburn via Tysons and Dulles is in serious jeopardy. The Federal Transit Administration is very reluctant to provide $900 million in funding for this much needed project.

Metro, WMATA, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, Virginia

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot

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posted by WFY @ 7:42 PM | |

FTA getting cold feet about Tysons-Dulles Metro

Federal Qualms Leave Dulles Rail at Risk - The Post
Concerns over the contractor chosen to build the Silver Line, connecting Loudoun County and West Falls Church via Dulles Airport and Tysons, has put the project in jeopardy. Oddly enough, the contractor in question is not named in the article, but looking at a previous story on the subject indicates the contractor is Bechtel. Unfortunately, Bechtel was the primary contractor on Boston's Big Dig, notorious for massive cost overruns. Maybe shrouding the whole process in secrecy has backfired.

I am really annoyed that this is going on. I'm mad at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which plans to build the line. I'm mad a Virginia for not being upfront throughout the process and I'm mad at the federal government for dragging their feet too.

I do thank Adrian Fenty, mayor of Washington D.C. and Martin O'Malley, governor of Maryland, for supporting the project (The Wash. Examiner) though.

I think and hope this project is an "when, not if" situation, but I'm getting frustrated.

Metro, WMATA, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, Virginia

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 5:36 AM | |

Ohhhhh, pretty Nats SmarTrip cards

WMATA has created a page to help fans use Metro to get to Nationals Park. They will also have Nationals SmarTrip cards and I'll admit I'm tempted to get one, even though I have a working one now.

H/T JDLand: Near Southeast DC Redevelopment

WMATA, Metro, subway, Washington Nationals, Nats, dc,

Labels: Metro, Nats/MLB 2008, The District, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 5:37 AM | |

Rival for TysonsTunnel.org

Tunnel Loses Backers as Landowners Unite for Growth - The Post
A group in favor of Metro to Tysons and not opposed to elevated tracks has formed:

The consortium, called Tysons Tomorrow, will include as many as 20 landowners poised to develop a new city of high-rises around the four Metro stops planned for Tysons. The emergence of the group, which held its first meeting last week, is also intended to weaken the coalition that has staged a heavily financed, year-long effort to build a tunnel under Tysons that would bury the rail tracks. Plans now call for an aerial track, and the effort to alter that plan has been blamed for jeopardizing approval of the 23-mile line.

"I think all of us would say, 'Of course we like the tunnel,' " said Jonathan Cherner, who, with his father and brother, owns Cherner Automotive Group on Route 7 in the heart of Tysons. "But the Federal Transit Administration came back and said, 'If you want to do a major engineering change to the project, you got to go to the back of the line and start over.' That process is almost a 10-year process. We don't need mass transit in 20 years. We needed mass transit 20 years ago."

I could live with elevated rail through Tysons, but I want all information about the costs of underground vs. above-ground to be made public. I suspect the savings of building elevated rail are pennies on the dollar.

I couldn't find a Web site for Tysons Tomorrow.

Metro, WMATA, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, Virginia

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 12:29 PM | |

TysonsTunnel.org sues USDOT

Tunnel supporters sue to halt rail line - The Wash. Examiner
As expected, TysonsTunnel.org has moved from being a lobbying organization to a litigating one.

Tysonstunnel.org, a group that has sought for more than a year to persuade officials to run the planned Dulles rail line underneath Tysons Corner, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday aiming to halt the entire project until its plan is reconsidered

snip

Tysonstunnel.org also is seeking to put the project out to competitive bidding, which it argues never occurred under the project's public-private partnership. The lawsuit says the FTA cannot approve the rail project because it does not follow its guidelines for "full and open competition."

"We don't want it stopped, we want it corrected so we can move forward," Tysonstunnel president Scott Monett said. "That's what we have been saying from the beginning. ... What we're asking them to do is follow their own rules that if a project is to receive federal funds that it be competitively bid."

Emphasis added -- I'm mostly concerned about the lack of competitive bidding or open records more than whether the tracks will go under or above ground. If it makes fiscally sense to put build elevated tracks, that's fine. The problem is that the numbers for each type of project have not been made available to the public.

Tysons Tunnel sues FTA - The Fairfax County Times

Metro, WMATA, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, Virginia

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 5:25 AM | |

Prelimary Tysons Metro work

Dulles Rail Construction May Begin Soon - Fairfax County News/WTOP
Even though the new Silver Line has not been made official, utility relocation may be underway before Dec. 21. Progress at last! I've heard that the project is probably a go at this point and it is merely figuring out the particulars. It seems that the line will be built with elevated tracks instead of underground, which is a shame, but ultimately not a deal breaker for me.

Also, the service roads along VA 7 will evenutually be eliminated during this project. That may be painful at first, but I think will ultimately improve traffic flow a lot.

Metro, WMATA, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, Virginia

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 6:04 PM | |

Navy Yard Metro station will likely be renamed

Looks Like Metro Nearest Stadium Will be Renamed - WTOP
Good news Nats fans, councilman Jim Graham is going to take time out from closing down night clubs to address renaming the Navy Yard Metro station.

Labels: BeltwayLand, Metro, Nats/MLB 2007, The District

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posted by WFY @ 6:54 AM | |

"Rename the Navy Yard station? We didn't think of that"

What's Missing at New Nats Stadium? - WTOP
Apparently, it has not occurred to The District to rename the Navy Yard Metro station to something like Navy Yard-Ballpark. Since the Stadium-Armory station won't be changing names, there could be some confusion next season.

Labels: BeltwayLand, Metro, Nats/MLB 2007, The District, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 6:38 AM | |

"Stand to the right" as poetry

About two weeks ago, Garrison Keillor read a poem called "To the Man in a Loden Coat" by Deborah Garrison on The Writer's Almanac. I highly recommend that Metro riders read this verse about escalator etiquette. You can also listen to Keillor read it (after he goes over some birthdays).

Is this the greatest urban poem ever? Well that is hard to say, but I think Deborah Garrison ought to be named the poet laureate of Metro.

H/T Roads & Rails chat, washingtonpost.com

Labels: Arts and Culture, Metro, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 6:12 AM | |

Dulles corridor Metro extension shrouded in secrecy

Rail Project For Dulles Raises Concerns - The Post
The commonwealth is not being open with the public on the Dulles corridor Metro extension:

A state law intended to bring big-ticket road and rail projects to fruition quickly and cheaply also grants the parties involved an unusual level of secrecy in their negotiations. The lack of transparency could make it difficult to evaluate the financial risks that accompany such complex public works, such as cost overruns and scheduling delays, some local officials and critics say.

Here is where that becomes a problem:

The concerns about secrecy are compounded by a conflict over how the rail line will run through Tysons Corner. Current plans call for an elevated track down the middle of Route 7. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and TysonsTunnel.org, a coalition organized by the McLean Chamber of Commerce, are urging that the process be opened for consideration of a tunnel, which they say would enhance Tysons' evolution into a mature urban center.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) has resisted the tunnel option, and an engineering report commissioned by the state concluded that it would be too expensive, time-consuming and technically risky. State officials also say that the delays necessary to consider a tunnel place $900 million in federal funds at risk.

Tunnel advocates say that with the construction consortium's price for the aerial option under wraps, the state's claim of a higher cost for the tunnel is not credible.

"We have all the documents [supporting] the tunnel in the public domain," said Schwartz, referring to a $3.5 million engineering study funded by TysonsTunnel.org.

If the Tysons tunnel through solution genuinely is cost prohibitive, I want to know about it through public records. Letting our government officials say "trust us" is not good enough. We don't need another Big Dig fiasco.

Metro, WMATA, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, Virginia

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 8:01 AM | |

Post a Comment

HOME OPENER!

The real Opening Day is finally here! Finally, after torturous offseason of bad faith, petty politics, broken promises and stupid trades, we can actually focus our eyes on the field, where it belongs.

This is my first opening day in D.C., I went to Philly's last year for the Nats inagural game. I am quite interested to see what it is like and hearing about how it is different than last year's opener.

PRESS RELEASE - Guest information for fans attending Washington Nationals home opener on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - nationals.com
Stuff you need to know about today's opener.

---

PRESS RELEASE - Metro Announces Its Opening Day Plans for Nationals Home Opener - WMATA
Special "Fast Ball" Express Trains on the Orange Line Free Shuttle Bus Service to Union Station After the Eighth Inning
Good news, getting to RFK will be quicker for many Metro riders, thanks to express trains from Metro Center that stop on at L'nfant Plaza. Sweet! For red line riders, there will be shuttle buses after the game to Union Station.

Okay everyone, say it with me, "why can't Metro run Express trains everyday?"

---

After Stormy Offseason, Nationals Lack Electricity - The Post
If you have ever wondered to how to kill the golden goose, read this article.

The team is expecting to sell 42,000 tickets, including thousands threw walk-ups. Will you be one of them? It is going to be 70° today.

---

RFK's back but slightly better - The Wash. Times
Here is one of the better lines of the day:

The organization might be bailed out by nature. Today's forecast calls for sun with temperatures reaching the low 70s. Burnett said that should trigger high walk-up sales, with a total attendance topping 40,000.

We shall see. There is the promise of improved services, fresh paint in the lower level, and most importantly, better food service due to the addition of two new kitchens. We shall see.

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Phil Wood: Opening Day still the main event? - The Wash. Examiner
Wood laments the lack of a announced sellout going into opening day.

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Jim Williams: Kurkjian: Nats success 'a miracle' - The Wash. Examiner
Williams gets in two questions with area native and ESPN pundit Tim Kurkjian about the Nationals.

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What's in a name? $2M - The Wash. Times
Despite numerous attempts to get a corporate sponsor on the Nats home ballpark, we will still be heading to RFK Stadium this year instead of "_____ Park at RFK." The plan is to have the money raised through the sponsorship go to youth and recreation programs in the District.

---

DON'T FORGET the "where's our owner?!" chant is scheduled for the bottom of the 4th. Start chanting "where's our owner?!" as we head into the bottom of the 4th.

---

Having never had the time to stick around after the game, I don't know which bars make for a good post-game trip. Any suggestions?

Labels: Metro, Nats/MLB 2006, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 6:50 AM | |

I believe that they work because it is not rush hour. They can switch to the opposite tracks to pass "local" trains since there are not trains coming in the other direction every two minutes. They may hold back the opposite direction as well.

# posted by  WFY : Tuesday, April 11, 2006 7:40:00 PM  

Metro anagram map -- reason #202 you sould be reading Metroblogging DC everyday

If you don't read Metroblogging DC, you missed a great find, Gene Cowan's Metro anagram map. For example, the stop I live next to is known as Giant Potentcy, while the my hometown's stop is the brilliant Ragamuffin Vixen. If Metro put these on t-shirts, they sell a whole let better than the official Metro t-shirts.

Labels: BeltwayLand, Blogging/WWW, Metro, Transportation, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 8:33 AM | |

Q & A: The Great Society Subway

Last month Metroblogging DC mentioned that a new book by George Mason University professor, Zachary Schrag, The Great Society Subway: A History of the Washington Metro (Johns Hopkins University Press) was scheduled to go on sale in March. Recently, Dr. Schrag answered some questions for Metroblogging DC about the book and Metro.

William F. Yurasko. What led to your interest in mass transit? Are you a regular Metro rider?

Dr. Zachary M. Schrag. I arrived in Washington at age seven in 1977, when Metro was just getting started, and its growth was one of the big events of my youth. I rode regularly in high school, while working various office jobs during and after college, and while researching the book. These days I drive to work, but my wife commutes by Metro.

WFY. Please elaborate on why Metro is "The Great Society Subway?"

ZMS. I chose the title to remind readers that any human creation is the product of a specific time in history. In this case, Metro emerged from the 1960s, a moment when Americans trusted their government and expected great things from it.

WFY. How has Metro met its "Great Society" goals? How hasn't it? How does Metro's legacy measure up to other Great Society goals?

ZMS. Metro, like Medicare, is a universalistic program; it serves rich and poor alike. Such programs are politically robust, and they help foster a sense of community. The Great Society goal that Metro has not achieved is more residential integration across racial and class lines.

WFY. Overall, would you say that Metro is a success or failure?

ZMS. Metro achieved many of the goals of its creators, who hoped to preserve Washington as a city with a vigorous yet pedestrian-friendly center. Critics have argued that transportation systems should be judged only by the ratio of dollars to rides, but that is not the way I would judge success nor the way most Washingtonians thought at the time they made key decisions.

- If a success, when did it become that way?

ZMS. Metro ran its first train in 1976, and by 1978, it was performing real service. After a long period of decline, total transit ridership (bus plus rail) started to climb. And investors began returning to the District's "old downtown," east of 15th street, that they had abandoned years before.

- If a failure, why?

ZMS. Critics would say the project failed in November 1974, when financial planners were forced to admit that fare-box revenues would never cover operating costs, much less pay off construction bonds. Metro was not in good financial shape before that, but it has been in obviously poor financial shape ever since.

A 1963 Metro Station design Click on the image for a larger image and description from Schrag's Building the Washington Metro Web site. This will open in a new browser window.

WFY. President Lyndon Johnson wrote a letter about the aesthetics of Metro. How did this help or hurt Metro's mission?

ZMS. Johnson *signed* a letter (this will open in a new browser window) that was drafted for him by the federal agency then planning the system. More generally, I find it hard to imagine what Metro would be like had planners gone through with the utilitarian station designs first proposed. Not only would ugly stations fail to capture the imagination, but I wonder how they would
affect ridership.

A 1965 Metro system map Click on the image for a larger image and description from Schrag's Building the Washington Metro Web site. This will open in a new window.

WFY. How crucial was the Freeway Revolt to Metro's future? Were it not for the Freeway Revolt, could the Metro have been completed?

ZMS. The National Capital Planning Commission proposed a rapid transit system before the freeway revolt got going in 1959, but it called for only two lines, totaling 33 miles. Had a system like this been built alongside the planned freeways, Washington would look a lot more like Atlanta, where transit is generally used by people who have no other choices, and much of downtown is devoted to parking rather than to people.

WFY. Is Metro held to a higher standard by the communities it serves than mass transit in New York, Boston, Chicago, etc.?

ZMS. That's an excellent question, which is how a professor says, "I don't know." New Yorkers do spend a lot of time thinking and talking about their subway.

WFY. The lack of a third track is sometimes criticized. How likely would it have been to get the whole system built with the additional cost of a third or fourth track?

ZMS. Planners rejected third or fourth tracks in favor of more two-track routes. In particular, rather than have one tunnel with four tracks running from Farragut Square to Capitol Hill, they planned two, two-track tunnels: the Red Line to Union Station and the Blue/Orange to Capitol South. I think most Washingtonians today would consider additional routes, such as the proposed extension to Dulles, more valuable than express service on existing routes.

WFY. The tunnel between Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom has become a major choke point in the system. WMATA is trying to alleviate that by running eight car Orange line trains instead of six car trains more frequently, during rush hour. Can stopgap solutions like this one work and if so, for how long? Is a new tunnel or bridge across the Potomac vital to the system's health?

The proposed Dulles corridor extension has been fighting an uphill battle for a number of years. Some are concerned that it would lead to even more gridlock in the Rosslyn tunnel. Other critics advocating building more lanes on the Dulles Toll Road or Bus Rapid Transit instead. Can either of these alternatives provide the level of service that a new Metro line would?

ZMS. I think that all of these questions are really about the future of employment, especially at Tysons Corner. According to Council of Government statistics (PDF), in the year 2000, downtown Washington (which has 14 stations) employed 356,000 people, compared to 89,000 in Tysons Corner (which has no stations). To me this suggests that rail to Tysons is one of the great opportunities for new transit. Many commuters to Tysons already live in Virginia, so the expansion would not necessarily bust the Potomac tunnel. But rail could shape new development, especially in Loudoun County, far more than adding lanes to the Dulles Toll Road.

Bus rapid transit does have a great deal of potential, but I think it makes more sense for cities that are starting rapid transit from scratch than for a city that already has an established, popular rail system.

WFY. Will another American city ever undertake a subway as ambitious as Metro again? Los Angeles started to build one, but stopped before completing the system, though there are discussions about restarting the program (USA Today).

ZMS. In 1982, Boris Pushkarev, Jeffrey Zupan, and Robert Cumella identified Los Angeles, Seattle, Honolulu, Houston, and possibly Dallas-Ft. Worth and San Juan, as the only "serious candidates" for new rapid transit. As far as I know, that analysis stands, and only San Juan is actively building. Many more cities are investing in
light rail. which generally runs on the surface and must cross surface streets.

WFY. Recently, the momentum for a dedicated funding source for Metro has picked up steam. How crucial is this for the future of Metro? Do you think dedicated funding sources can be achieved in the near future?

ZMS. I am not convinced that a dedicated funding source is a panacea. You would need to guess just how much money Metro will need in future years, then try to guess how much revenue a given tax would provide. If you guess wrong and the revenue stream is too high, the board will be tempted to let fares lag behind inflation, which strikes me as a potentially unjust subsidy to riders. More likely, the revenue stream will be too low, in which case WMATA will have to face critics who complain that it is not living within its means.

WFY. What is currently the most pressing need for Metro? In 5-10 years? In the distant future?

ZMS. Money, money, and money.

WFY. Is Metro getting dirtier?

ZMS. The worst I saw it was in the months after September 11, 2001, when most trash cans were removed for security reasons. Now that people can dump their trash in bomb-proof cans, I think it's a bit nicer.

WFY. Of the major North American subway systems, where does Metro compare in overall service to the region?

ZMS. In terms of trips and miles, Metro provides far more service than any other American rail system except for the New York City subway. I do not have handy figures on Canada and Mexico, but the American Public Transit Association has a great page of U.S. statistics at http://www.apta.com/research/stats/rail/index.cfm.

WFY. Dick White was recently ousted as the WMATA head. How does his tenure measure up to his predecessors? White's interim replacement is Dan Tangherlini; how likely is it that he will become permanent? If so, how successful do you think he can be with improving the system?

ZMS. All I can say is that the job of general manager of a transit system must be one of the toughest jobs out there, combining the largest challenges of government service and private enterprise. No one expects the Navy to finance most of its operating costs, while the chief of an airline can cut unprofitable routes. A transit chief has to provide service like a government official while trying to raise revenue like a businessman.

Dr. Schrag

WFY. How cooperative was WMATA with your research for the book?

ZMS. WMATA provided many wonderful photographs, including the magnificent cover shot by photographer Larry Levine. The Authority does not employ an archivist, so it was not able to meet most of my requests for documents. Fortunately, other institutions, especially George Washington University, hold significant archival collections related to Metro.

WFY. How long did it take you to research and write your book?

ZMS. I did my first interview in the fall of 1998. I completed most of the research between the summer of 1999 and the summer of 2002, though I have worked hard to update the final chapters to reflect recent events.

WFY. Do you have any book readings/signings scheduled?

ZMS. I will be speaking and signing books on Sunday, March 12, at 5 pm at Politics and Prose. As other events are confirmed, I will announce them at http://www.schrag.info/

WFY. Any closing thoughts?

ZMS. The questions you ask, and the questions I get from other Washingtonians, are much the same as the ones that launched me on the project. I had the luxury of devoting several years to satisfying my curiosity, but I hope that my book offers readers quicker answers to their questions.

All images appear courtesy of Zachary M. Schrag

Technorati Tags: DC, Metro, WMATA , subways, mass transit

Labels: BeltwayLand, Best of WWN, History, Interviews, Metro, The District, Transportation, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 5:03 PM | |

Ballpark lease vote eve - Part II

Naturally I missed Mayor Tony Williams noon ballpark rally, because I work in Tysons. Thankfully, Metroblogging DC captain Tom Bridge works downtown and reported from the rally. He indicated that people supporting the project far outnumbered those oppossed to it. Great work Tom!

In an interesting turn of events, DCist has posted an Opinionist piece by Vincent Morris, the mayor's spokesman, called Approve the Lease Already! Not surprisingly David Cantiana (I-At Large) has the counterpoint. Good job by DCist getting these two to go on the record.

Morris makes some excellent points as he breaks down the costs. Cantiana says the team could move to Virginia in ten years.

Lastly, another Williams -- Jim Williams of The Wash. Examiner has a column in today's edition about the ballpark. He predicts an 8 - 5 win for the ballpark, which scares me to no end, since Williams is rarely right.

Labels: Blogging/WWW, Metro, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 4:36 PM | |

ANOTHER CHALLENGE FOR METRO TO TYSONS

Rail Route In Tysons An Uphill Challenge - The Post
It is easy to forget that Tysons Corner is around 500 feet above sea level, as opposed to the Potomac River which is 1 foot above sea level. This presents quite a challenge for the engineers planning the new line from West Falls Church. The cost involved in doing this could sink the whole deal/ and then in five years, when it is addressed again, it would cost much more.

This is a bullet that needs to be bitten, the stalling has gone on for too long. Graphic: The Remaking of Tysons Corner.

Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Tysons Corner, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 5:45 AM | |

DISPATCH FROM PA.

PAXTONIA, Penna. -- It looks like I found some Web time after all. In case you missed it, I also had a pretty big post yesterday afternoon, one that went live EXACTLY four weeks before kickoff of the Penn State football season. There may even be a special Sunday update tomorrow, so stay tuned.

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MLB HAS BEEN AROUND LATELY

Baseball looks at N.Va. ballpark plan - The Wash. Times
MLB took a look at the Loudoun bid recently. Baseball seems to be getting concerned about having the temporary home ready for next season. There is an easy to way to fix that boys. More from the Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg): Baseball officials return.

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Baseball Concentrating Attention on Northern Virginia, Washington - AP via WJLA
This AP report also states that MLB is concentrating on D.C. or Loudoun County. However, the last paragraph mentions that Bud Selig HOPES to have the Expos moved for 2005.

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LANDRY, JOHNSON, SWITZER, GIBBS?

Gibbs in Dallas? Jones Called - The Post
That would have been incredible. D.C. would have gone absolutely insane with rage.

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ZACK ATTACK?

PSU's Mills staring hard at last chance - The Morning Call
A good long profile on Penn State's QB #1 Zack Mills. Once thought of as a savior, he is having to fend off PSU QB #1A, Michael Robinson. I am of the opinion that Mills offers the best chance to win, provided he is healthy and he should be the full-time quarterback this fall. We shall see.

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METRO TO TYSONS

Arrival of Metro Could Transform Tysons - The Post
The good news is that preliminary engineering will soon begin on the first phase of the new line from West Falls Church to Wheile Ave. in Reston. I do not see Metro turning Tysons into a great urban area, like Arlington or Bethasda, but anything will be an improvement. An improved skyline will also come out of it. There will have to be lots of shuttle buses, but I think people will be willing to use them, rather than drive. I know I would be interested.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

Listen, when you're 3-9, you have nothing to say. Let's open it up to questions.

Labels: Metro, Nats/Expos 2004, Silver Line

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posted by WFY @ 6:58 AM | |

Standing on the Left? You Must Be on Vacation - The Post
Metro esculator etiquette is is explained and it should be required reading before using Metro (or any esculator). They also have a link to StandtotheRight.com, where you can get t-shirts explaining the rules. Metro needs to put up signs!

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Editorial - Paterno deserves chance to right ship - CDT
The CDT editorializes in favor of Joe Paterno's extension in yesterday's edition.

Labels: Metro, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 5:59 AM | |

Metro Chief Predicts Transit 'Death Spiral' Without Extra Funds - The Post
These predictions of doom and gloom are probably on the mark. I would hope that the feds can get something going since the government is a primary beneficiary of the system.

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Court Sticks to Its Ruling on Broader Cable Internet Access - The Post
Turns out cable systems are telecoms, not information companies. The long story short: they have to allow other companies to use the wires. This is a blow for the cable companies (all three or four of 'em) but is good news for consumers. Having had another bad experience with Comcast last night (they never called me, like they said they would and thus missed me because I was in the Willie Pad, not my new apt.) this news can no5t come soon enough.

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Caps Improve Their Standing - The Post
I did not see the game since I was moving. They tied Boston 3 - 3 and pulled three points in front of the Pengyunz in the battle for 29th place. They might as well win out, since Pittsburgh is a LOCK to get the first pick in the lottery. There, I said it again Sam. A LOCK. For an 'burgh point of view, check out the Pengyunz Q & A on the Post-Gazette.

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Heather Dinich - Sports message boards: It's easy to speak out when no one knows your name - CDT
This is probably only news to people who do not have their own computer, the other 88% of Penn State fans are reading these message boards and posting on them.

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Jeff Rice - Lady Lions miss date with destiny - CDT
It is becoming fashionable to bash the Lady Lions lately for merely reaching the the Elite Eight. This particular column is not a total slam, but realistically, they had a terrible draw that left no room for error. If Connecticut had to play outside of their own state all the way to the Elite Eight, do you think they would still win by 20? Also see Mazzante named to inaugural Wooden team.

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*
Day 1 of the move went well. With my brother's help, Erica and I got the big furuniture up to the new apartment. Thanks Christopher!
* With apologies to David Sando

Labels: Metro, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 7:36 AM | |