Washington DC: Rail transit

[Qubert]

Originally Posted by jmecklenborg

I like this concept. I had the idea myself, years ago, to express the silver line from East Falls into the district. The only flaw I see in your description is that if the Yellow Line is to be deleted from the map, the Silver Line can't interline at all with the Green Line tracks through L'Enfant Plaza. There would have to be a separate platform built in its own station box somewhere adjacent or below the existing station box.

The Silver would run paralell to the Green, but not *with* it. Something akin to how both the (7) and 42st Shuttle both run under 42nd st without sharing anything.

Having the Silver take over the Yellow would enable the Green line to be forked toward either terminus, if there are any viable expansions, enabling the yellow color to return.

On it. With the current Green Line all by itself, a new "Yellow" would break off after Columbia Heights and run up 16th St NW to Silver Spring, then along US 29 to Columbia, MD. On the southern end, I'd extend the Green down MD 5 to Waldorf with the Yellow splitting off before Naylor Rd to serve National Harbor.

[202_Cyclist]

Opening of Potomac Yard Metro nears


Photo courtesy of the Alexandria Times.

By Olivia Anderson
Alexandria Times
Feb. 23, 2023

"A string of controversies and delays have long dogged the Potomac Yard Metro Station, but Andy Off, vice president and chief infrastructure officer of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, on Tuesday confirmed that a May opening is planned.

The May date was announced late last year, but concerns with soil stability under the tracks, the latest problem with the project, had jeopardized the ribbon cutting.

“We’re still looking good for that time period. We’re starting to work through the details of establishing a specific date,” Off said. “… Certainly it’s a beautiful new station that’s been planned for a long, long time, so we certainly want to make it a special event..."

https://alextimes.com/2023/02/openin...d-metro-nears/

[Busy Bee]

Dcist | FEB 23, 2023

Metro Exploring “Open Gangway” For Its 8000-Series Trains

Jordan Pascale


Metro is exploring a drastic change to its upcoming new 8000-series trains: an open gangway. Open gangway trains have no doors between cars, allowing riders to freely move through parts of or the entire length of the train. It can improve train capacity, and provide more space for people who use wheelchairs and people with bikes, strollers, or luggage. Loading times can also decrease as people have more places to spread out. One odd sensation of riding on an open gangway train is that you can see the train bend as it rides around a curve.

The concept has been used for years in London, Paris, Toronto, China, and other places internationally, but the idea has been slow to roll out in the U.S. New York’s MTA will start to use open gangway trains this year and Atlanta’s MARTA is also set to get open gangway trains in the near future.

During a board meeting Thursday, Metro General Manager Randy Clarke said the transit agency was exploring the technical feasibility of the idea and will be getting feedback from the public, Metro’s accessibility committee, and its rider advisory committee.

“One of the things the senior team and I’ve been talking a lot about is how do we get our agency to be as close as we can to international and domestic best of the best standards and operate that way,” Clarke said. “And sometimes if someone is doing something better, it’s okay to cut and paste and learn from them and move forward.”

Rest of story

[202_Cyclist]

Purple Line slightly less delayed, on target to open in fall 2026, spokesperson says
Light rail project was previously delayed to 2027

MoCo360 Media
By Ginny Bixby
April 5, 2023


The Purple Line light rail is on track to open in fall 2026, according to a spokesperson. The Purple Line was originally slated to open in March 2022 at a cost of just under $2 billion but suffered major delays, including a nearly-two-year standstill after the first contractor quit. (Photo courtesy of MoCo360)

"The Purple Line light rail is on target to open in fall 2026, a spokesperson confirmed to MoCo360 Tuesday, despite reports in January that opening would be delayed until mid-2027 because of issues moving utility lines.

“Our target date for opening remains fall of 2026 as we continue to negotiate with our concessionaire,” Purple Line spokesperson David Abrams said, referring to the public-private partnership, Purple Line Transit Partners, led by infrastructure investor Meridiam. “The target date is the estimated contractual deadline; until negotiations are complete, the contractual deadline for revenue service remains unchanged. MDOT MTA’s review of the concessionaires’ estimate of delay and efforts to mitigate the delay is part of the active negotiations between MDOT MTA and Purple Line Transit Partners.”

The Purple Line was originally slated to open in March 2022 at a cost of just under $2 billion but suffered major delays, including a nearly-two-year standstill after the first contractor quit. Under the latest projection, it would be four-and-a-half years late and $1.46 billion over budget. The Washington Post first reported on the projected delay in January..."

https://moco360.media/2023/04/05/pur...esperson-says/

[OhioGuy]

Potomac Yard to officially open on Friday, May 19. This will be Metro's 98th station.

WTOP: Potomac Yard Metro station to open next month

The long-awaited and often-delayed Potomac Yard Metro station will welcome riders on Friday, May 19.

When riders travel to the station, they may be awestruck by its excellent views and pleasant aesthetic.

“The only reason we’re standing here is because our community never gave up on this project. Our community has been pushing for this station for a generation and beyond,” Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson told reporters during the opening announcement.

The station is located in the fastest-growing area of Alexandria, Virginia, between the Reagan National and Braddock Road stations. It is only the second-ever in-fill station — a station built between two extant stations on a line — and Metro’s 98th station overall.

When Blue and Yellow line riders come, they will find views of the George Washington Parkway, Potomac River, the Washington Monument and even the U.S. Capitol from the station’s northern end.

[202_Cyclist]

The previous estimate for the Union Station modernization was that it would cost $10B. Even with the inflation in labor and construction materials, this is a significant cost savings. i think this probably comes from the reduction in the amount of parking.

Feds release updated $8.8 billion redevelopment plan for Union Station

The revised vision for the rail station includes less parking, an underground drop-off area, and integrated bus, pedestrian and bike access

By Luz Lazo
Washington Post
May 13, 2023


A rendering of the new train hall planned at Union Station as part of a multibillion-dollar redevelopment. (Rendering courtesy of the Washington Post)

"The Federal Railroad Administration unveiled a revised concept late Friday for the redevelopment of Union Station, laying out a future transit hub with far less parking, pickup and drop-off traffic below ground, and more fully integrated access for pedestrians, bikes and buses.

The new plan comes two years after the federal agency paused its analysis of the project to amend key aspects that were widely criticized as keeping the station too car-centric. The District had opposed a multilevel parking garage featured in a vision released three years ago, while officials and residents demanded better access for foot and bike traffic.

The proposed expansion of the 115-year-old train hub, estimated in the report to cost $8.8 billion for construction alone, calls for a transformation of the nation’s second-busiest intercity rail hub by 2040. It will add wide rail platforms, an integrated bus terminal, a new train hall and updated concourses lined with shops and restaurants that provide easy access to Metrorail, buses, taxis, ride-shares, streetcars and parking. The station’s historic main hall will be preserved..."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/trans...redevelopment/

[Busy Bee]

Positive direction

[202_Cyclist]

The Potomac Yard metro station opens today.

Metro’s Potomac Yard Station Is Open: Here’s What You Need To Know

By Jordan Pascale
DCist
May 19, 2023


Photo via DCist.

"Potomac Yard, Metro’s newest and 98th station overall, will be open as of 5 a.m. Friday morning. Alexandria residents have waited decades for this moment.

The new station is on the Blue and Yellow lines between National Airport and Braddock Road stops. It’s Metro’s second station built to fill in service gaps between previously existing stations. NoMa-Galluadet is the system’s only other infill station.

Developments like a new Virginia Tech campus, mixed-use retail, and apartments are sprouting up around the station..."

https://dcist.com/story/23/05/19/met...ation-is-open/

[Prahaboheme]

As an Alexandria resident, I cannot express how happy I am to see this station finally open.

[Busy Bee]

Awesome news... I forgot it was getting close to completion.

I am kinda amazed this cost $370 million dollars though. A track straightening and an at-grade shed style station structure shouldn't cost half that in my opinion. What exploded the cost exactly for someone who follows WMATA closer than me?