Well the Democratic race for mayor is over, and the newly-annointed Adrian Fenty must now dive into the job and begin figuring out the details of his potential administration. Following the drop of a surprising mention for city administrator that could have significant influence on District transportation policies, we are looking forward to seeing what else shakes out of Fenty's brain in the lead up to the general election. Also this week, the power of old people and women stuck in traffic, good news for the crowded Red Line, and this weekend's track work schedule.

Photo by LaTur

Tangherlini Makes Fenty's Short List
During his 2 terms as mayor, Anthony Williams presided over the opening of ten new Metro stations, mostly in under-served Southeast and Northeast neighborhoods. However, a look at our current network of roads and rails is a pretty convincing argument that more needs to be done. As the city transitions to a new mayor this January, questions remain to exactly how Adrian Fenty, the presumed Governor-elect, will work to expand upon the progress (and correct the failures) of the Williams administration to foster a better, safer transportation system in the District.

Fenty has made some vague statements on the issue, saying:

As Mayor, I will pursue strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled in
the District, and implement planning measures that enable people to rely more on Metro, walking and bicycling. By working regionally with our neighboring jurisdictions, we can replace auto trips with bus, metrobus and metrorail trips and reduce air pollution from vehicles. I support guaranteed funding for Metro and will work with leaders in VA and MD to pass a regionwide solution to Metro funding.

Another sign that a Fenty administration might be one of bold new transportation ideas and initiatives - Dan Tangherlini is on his short list for city administrator. The Washington Post reported today that "Fenty has identified a potential candidate to replace [Robert] Bobb [as city administrator]: Dan Tangherlini..."

While we think that Tangherlini is just fine where he is, heading up Metro as acting general manager (hopefully to be made a permanent appointment soon), we grudgingly admit that he would make a fine right hand man to Fenty. They share a customer-oriented philosophy, and Tangherlini's reputation as an affable yet no-nonsense administrator might just help Fenty wade though the excruciating minutiae of being chief executive with a bit more efficiency and aplomb.

Nothing Like Gridlock to Motivate Voters
With Isiah Leggett now firmly affirmed as the Democrat to succeed Doug Duncan as Montgomery County Executive, seniors and women might have been the key to his victory. And their issue? Traffic.

In the run up to the Democratic primaries, a Maryland pollster watching the races told the Post that seniors could make up as much as one-third of the turnout, and women could represent nearly two-thirds of voters. All of them, apparently, were unhappy with area traffic.

Leggett campaigned on a slow-growth platform that ran contrary to Duncan's aggressively pro-growth policies. That message seemed to resonate with voters, two of whom told the Post that they would vote for Leggett based on his independence from developers. Leggett's victory also casts into question the fate of the Purple Line and other Smart Growth initiatives in MoCo, which Democratic opponent Steve Silverman had vocally championed in his campaign.

Red Line Wins New Rail Cars
In an effort to combat overcrowding on Metro during rush hour, fifty shiny new rail cars are set to roll out on Metro tracks in the next three months. The cars will be allocated based on need, with the most cars going to the Red Line to ease crowded morning and evening rides. In addition to the Red Line's 12, the Orange and Green lines will get 10 each, and the Blue and Yellow lines will receive four new cars. Ten will be reserved as spares for when trains break down. And yes, these are the new model rail cars with reconfigured interiors, so we will be expecting to here some rants and raves from all of you when they hit the tracks.

Metro's Weekend Service Changes

Blue and Orange Line Safety Exercise
On Sunday, September 17 from 7 to 10:30 a.m., Blue Line trains will share one track between the Arlington Cemetery and Foggy Bottom-GWU Metrorail stations and Orange Line trains will share one track between the Clarendon and Foggy Bottom-GWU Metrorail stations while Metro and emergency response personnel perform a multi-jurisdictional disaster drill exercise, between the Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom-GWU Metrorail stations. Passengers traveling between these locations should add 25 minutes to their schedules.

Blue Line Track Maintenance
Starting Friday, September 15, at 10 p.m., and concluding Sunday, September 17, at 3 a.m., Metrorail will operate special six-car shuttle trains sharing one track between the Franconia-Springfield and King Street Metrorail stations. Passengers traveling between these locations should add 35 minutes to their schedules.

Once a shuttle train arrives at the King Street Metrorail station, passengers will need to transfer to a Blue or Yellow Line train at the King Street Metrorail station to reach their final destination. All other Blue Line trains will run between the Largo Town Center and Huntington Metrorail stations. Passengers coming from Virginia are encouraged to use the Huntington Metrorail station located on the Yellow Line for rail service into downtown Washington.

Red Line Track Maintenance
On Friday, September 15, at 10 p.m. and concluding Saturday, September 16, at 10 a.m., Red Line trains will share one track between the Shady Grove and Grosvenor-Strathmore Metrorail stations due to switch replacement maintenance at the Twinbrook Metrorail station. [Please note that Red Line trains operate every 12 to 15 minutes between these locations late Friday and early Saturday morning.]

Green Line Rail Car Tests
On Saturday, September 16, and Sunday, September 17, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Green Line trains will share one track between the Greenbelt and College Park Metrorail stations while Metro tests railcars. Passengers traveling along this portion of the Green Line should add up to 10 minutes of travel time for their trip. [Please note that Green Line trains operate every 12 to 15 minutes between these locations on Saturday and Sunday.]