For some reason, today is particularly heavy on Metro-related news. And yes, we know, Metro Friday isn’t nearly as catchy as Transit on Thursday, originally authored by former editor Mike Grass, but we’ll be resurrecting that feature soon enough. Until then, we were lucky enough to find that picture at left, snapped by Olivia Leigh and posted on Flickr. Forget the naysayers — Metrorail stations are beautiful in their own cathedral-like way.

Metro Security to Remain City Responsibility: Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff yesterday stated that local municipalities will be responsible for key facilities and infrastructure in the event of a terrorist attack, reports the AP via WTOP. For District, Virginia, and Maryland, that translates into sole responsibility for the security of Metrorail, which remains on high alert after the July 7 attacks in London. Recent reports have indicated that local jurisdictions have fallen behind in funding the $143 million requested by WMATA for security improvements, though.

Navy Yards Metrorail Station Improvement Planned: The new Washington Nationals stadium in Southeast isn’t even officially in the planning stages, yet WMATA officials have announced their intentions to begin improvements on the Navy Yard station, which will serve game-day traffic once the stadium is completed in 2008, reports WJLA. The improvements, slated to cost $20 million, will include an extended mezzanine and an additional escalator, elevator, and staircase, enough to increase station capacity from 5,000 to 15,000 passengers an hour.

D.C. Voucher Program Won’t Expand: A Congressional plan to expand the District’s school voucher system so as to send D.C. public school students to private schools in Maryland and Virginia has been dropped, reports the Post. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), the proposal’s sponsor, withdrew the legislation after realizing that it would not pass in time for the upcoming school year. The year-old voucher program offers District students $7,500 grants to attend private or religious schools, yet has attracted opposition from school activists.

Briefly Noted: If you’re riding Metrorail this weekend, be ready for delays … WMATA and Verizon partner to shut off those damn cell phones … Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) undergoing tests at Baltimore hospital … Panda cub is doing well.