Transit on Tuesday: The It's A Start Edition
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Potential traffic delays in Tyson's Corner due to preliminary Silver Line infrastructure construction. (Created by Aaron Morrissey.)
Well, color us thrilled that when we opened the Washington Post on Saturday morning, we caught a story on the front page of the Metro section with a sub-headline reading "U.S. Officials Give Go-Ahead to Start Metrorail Work." We have to admit, it's a little surreal to finally see officials actually talking about the practicalities of construction for the Silver Line. (Of course, we couldn't get a hold of the actual letter from the FTA, because, well, they haven't updated a press release on their website since May.)
Even though primary work for the infrastructure of the first phase of the project has been chugging along since early this year, it's striking to think that pretty soon, you'll be able to see the preparations for aerial lines being built. According to the Post's report, the construction through Tyson's will start to be seen by drivers on Route 7 - with spot closures and single lane closures starting after Labor Day. Just take a look at our nifty little map (above) to see just where you can expect to see some potential traffic issues for the first stages of construction.
Of course, it wouldn't quite be news about Dulles rail without a mysterious passage like this:
The news from the FTA does not guarantee full funding of the project, which is counting on $900 million from Washington and has endured years of uncertainty as federal transit officials have questioned its rising costs.
Ah, there's the rub. So, while you'll forgive us for holding back our irrevokable gushing just a tad - the positive direction that the project seems to be going in now is quite encouraging.
The Fringe Consequences of High Gas Prices: Look, we've heard the stories about how difficult it is to fill up the tank these days (though, things finally seem to be going in the other direction). But whether your struggling to deal with it, or are happy to be riding public transportation every day, you can't deny the tangible effects that the high price of gas is having in some, shall we say, "interesting" ways. WTOP points us to the statistics that highway fatalities are declining at a rapid rate - including humongous drops of near 20 percent in both March and April of 2008. Closer to home, results are mixed. Virginia has seen a large drop in fatalities (almost 25 percent in July). Maryland has actually seen an increase in fatalities over last year. (We'll try to lay off the Maryland driver diatribes.) It'll be interesting to see if these trends flow through the remainder of the year. Meanwhile, fewer cars on the roads also means less revenue for tolled roads and bridges: the Chesapeake Bay Bridge has created $1 million less in revenue year to date, compared to 2007 numbers - obviously due to there being fewer cars on the road. Have you noticed any subtle yet tangible benefits from gas-conscious drivers out there - for instance, drivers using a little less pressure on the gas pedal?
Metrorail’s Big Labor Day Project (Sorry, Yellow and Blue Liners): Well, Metro’s got a big project planned for Labor Day weekend – it's not so much that the project is news, but the lottery as to which lines would be affected. Condolences are in order for those of you on the Blue and Yellow Lines. You've had it pretty rough for the last few weeks, but that's nothing compared to what's in store for you for the three-day holiday weekend. According to a Metro press release, workers will be completing a "major track overhaul" between Braddock Road and the Washington National Airport station from 9 p.m. Friday, until 4 a.m. Monday. Those stations will remain open, but no trains will run between them. It's the most recent iteration of Metro's cost-reducing maintenance plan; WMATA will be saving $250,000 and doing 2 1/2 months worth of work in one weekend. Metro will be operating shuttle buses to bridge the gap between the stations for those of you in Alexandria, that, you know, like to be connected to the city. Blue/Yellow liners, just think of it like a Band-Aid - the quicker you pull it off, the easier it'll be.
Engines and Cabooses: The Post's Eric Weiss just keeps on traveling around the area scouting reactions to transit - last weekend, he asked Virginians about HOT lanes and how much they'd spend to save a few minutes on the highway... Loudoun County to launch new commuter transit services... WashCycle has eight reasons - other than high gas prices - as to why cycling is taking off... Unlicensed drivers in NoVa are seeing 700% more tickets in a police effort to crack down.