Transit on Friday: Delays, Delays, Delays
In case you missed this story yesterday, the Washington Post reported that federal officials are still skeptical of the plan to extend Metrorail to Dulles International Airport and might reject it, even though their consultants recently found that the proposal meets requirements for full funding.
What's the problem? The Federal Transit Administration thinks this project could end up being another Big Dig, Boston's famed $14.8 billion boondoggle that was helmed by Bechtel, the same contractor in charge of the Dulles rail line.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is managing the first leg of the 23-mile Metro extension, plans to begin utility work in Tysons Corner without waiting for federal funds to be approved, a decision which has already received bitter criticism from the Fairfax County Supervisor.
After the jump, major Metro delays, and bus tokens make a comeback.
Photo by erin*carly
Metrobus Token Sales Resume:
Despite Metro General Manager John Catoe's commitment to encourage each and every D.C. resident to make the switch to SmarTrip, WMATA has announced they will start selling bus tokens again. The decision comes only two weeks after the agency stopped selling the tokens to anyone except students and paratransit riders.
“We were looking to cut some operation expenses with the eventual phase out of tokens. However, we have since heard from many charitable organizations and social service agencies, which distribute tokens to the needy, that eliminating them is too burdensome,” said Catoe in a statement released to the press.
Major Delays Due to Metro Center Work:
Metro plans to perform major platform structural rehabilitation work on the Red Line bridge at the Metro Center Metrorail station because the bridge is sagging. The work will take place over the next two holiday weekends, starting with this one tonight at 10 p.m. and ending Monday at midnight, and then resuming Friday, February 15 at 10 p.m., lasting through President's Day Weekend. Check out Metro's announcement for the full details, but Red, Orange and Blue line passengers are being told to add an extra 30 minutes to their trips over the course of both weekend.