Photo by philliefan99.

In June, we learned that it would be late 2013 before we could board one of the Department of Transportation’s shiny new toys along the long-awaited H Street/Benning Road streetcar line. Today, the agency announced that they’re adjusting that timeline once again, this time in a positive direction.

According to DDOT, the initial run of the line is on track to take place “no later than mid 2013”:

DDOT released a request for bids to design and build the remaining elements of the line, which encompasses western and eastern turnarounds, a “car barn” maintenance facility and the final improvements to the already-built 2.2-mile corridor on H Street/Benning Road. DDOT also plans to utilize the car barn as a training center for District students. DDOT anticipates design work to start in late fall, culminating with the first passengers boarding the line in mid 2013.

“We are excited to put in place the final pieces to complete the H Street/Benning Road Line,” said DDOT Director Terry Bellamy. “Today we are identifying the way forward.”

Hey, just in time to serve the new supermarket!

Of course, questions still remain about the western turnaround for the line. Plans for a direct connection between the streetcar line and Union Station were killed last month; DDOT “is still evaluating alternatives to connect the current western turnaround at 3rd and H Street to Union Station,” but will be moving forward with a plan to terminate the line on the roof of Union Station’s garage for the time being.