DC and Baltimore Area Mass Transit/Transportation

[urbanvb]

Yeah, I don't know what the answer to their traffic woes is. Like you say build more roads but that just promotes more sprawl.

[skylinefan]

It will take a myriad of changes to adequately correct traffic problems in Northern Virginia. I believe metro will need expansion along with improvements to the Virginia Railway Express to serve more communities. Like I said earlier there is no political will in Richmond to pay for such extensive transportation infrastructure. If we want all of these wonderful things to occur we have to be ready to pay extra (TAXES!) to make it a reality. I beleive we need to dump this anti-tax hysteria that has taken over in Richmond and in Washington.

[wrldcoupe4]

I think VDOT pawning off projects to private companies is due to the state's unwillingness to consider a tax increase.

$8.40 in tolls? Whew!

[urbanvb]

There has been a lot of transportation news lately and here is another:

Airports Authority Might Adopt Dulles Rail Project

The authority that controls Dulles International Airport made a move yesterday to take over the state-run Dulles Toll Road and seize control of construction of a rail line to the airport, hoping to ensure that the troubled project moves forward.

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[urbanvb]

Proposal Likely to Speed Up Dulles Rail

Tolls Would Fund Va. Share of Cost

The proposal by the Washington airports authority to take over the effort to build a rail line to Dulles is likely to speed decision making on a project that has advanced slowly because of concerns about its cost and practicality.

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[urbanvb]

Connolly Promotes Dense Development Near Transit Hubs

Approach Called Key to Easing Congestion

As high-density redevelopment roils homeowner politics in Fairfax County, Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly told local business leaders recently that it is the county's best hope for stalling traffic congestion.

The buzzword among planners is "transit-oriented development," which generally means a mix of apartment or condominium towers, townhouses, offices and stores near subway stations.

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[urbanvb]

A New Emphasis on Rail to Dulles

Authority Sees Bid to Take On Project as Key to Airport's Future

The effort by the Washington airports authority to speed construction of a rail line across Northern Virginia is a reminder to the region that the railroad's planners intended the train to serve air travelers as well as commuters.

As the project progressed slowly in recent years and struggled to gain financial support, much of the debate on its value has focused on how useful it would be to suburban workers. The current financing plan would extend rail only through Tysons Corner in Fairfax County.

Morning commuters in the Court House Station board a train on Metro's Orange Line, which planners hope to extend west 23 miles from West Falls Church to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County.

But last week, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said it wants to take over the rail program from the Virginia government. That fixed new attention on the theory that a Metro station at Dulles International Airport could help keep the airport growing at a time when more people want to use the airport but find it harder and harder to deal with the traffic to get there.

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I would think rail would be essential out to Dulles at least at some point given the traffic problems the area is facing.

Edited December 29, 2005 by guynvb

[urbanvb]

Progress Has Passed Metrobus By

Outdated System Is Plagued by Unreliable Schedules, Inefficient Routes

As shifting housing patterns, job growth and an influx of residents have transformed metropolitan Washington over the past three decades, Metrobus has done little to adapt, remaining essentially the same system since opening in 1973. The nation's fifth-largest bus system still follows the basic contours of the D.C. streetcar lines of the 1950s.

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[urbanvb]

Planned ICC tolls too high, foes say

Proposed highway could cost drivers up to $1,500 a year

A proposed east-west highway through the Washington suburbs would cost up to $1,500 a year in tolls for a daily rush-hour commuter, making the road too costly for many middle-income Marylanders to use, opponents of the project said yesterday.

Foes of the planned Intercounty Connector, the Ehrlich administration's top transportation priority, said the 18-mile road connecting Interstates 270 and 95 is a bad deal for taxpayers.

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[VAGATOR]

I'm glad Washington airports authority and Dulles is spearheading effort to get rail out to Dulles. If we relied on the Government to build it, we all could be dead before we see a single train out there.

[tombarnes]

Crummy news from all over regarding Independence Air- possibly shutting down on the 7th of January....

From Fosters Online....

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...S0201/112300179

Please advise if this ought to be moved to the Independence Air thread below. I regret the error. TB

Edited January 1, 2006 by tombarnes

[urbanvb]

Crummy news from all over regarding Independence Air- possibly shutting down on the 7th of January....

From Fosters Online....

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...S0201/112300179

Please advise if this ought to be moved to the Independence Air thread below. I regret the error. TB

Not a problem. I will just merge the threads. Hope I do this right.

[urbanvb]

Fares on Dulles Greenway Go Up Today

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[tombarnes]

Finis......from the Washington Post....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6010200857.html

[tombarnes]

A post mortem from the Post about IA, Kerry Skeen and why the airline failed...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6010201685.html

[urbanvb]

The Metro is having explosive growth in ridership.

WASHINGTON -- The number of people riding the rails has never been higher -- and Metro is trying to get a handle on explosive growth.Newly-released figures show ridership has more than doubled at five rail stations over the past decade. The station with the greatest growth: Gallery Place-Chinatown at the MCI Center.

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Sure can't blame folks for taking the train and I think it is only going to grow more as the auto traffic nightmare continues.

[urbanvb]

It was a sad day for Independence Air. I was really hoping these guys could make it but it was not meant to be.

Emotional Last Day for Independence Air Employees

CHANTILLY, Va. - It was an emotional last day for Independence Air workers at Dulles Airport. The last flight out of Dulles took off at about 7:30 p.m. Two more planes were set to land later Thursday night. After that, the discount carrier that won loyal passengers with its low fares and customer service will be history. All the airline's employees have turned in their badges and many shared hugs behind the counter before leaving the airport for the last time.

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[urbanvb]

Top Man at Metro Stepping Down

WASHINGTON - Richard A. White, the longest serving general manager in Metro history, will leave the transit agency, but officials insisted Wednesday he was not being fired.

"This is as clearly stated a mutually agreed separation. This is not a termination. This is not a resignation. We've come to agreement," said Metro Board Chairman Dana Kauffman.

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[urbanvb]

Four MARC Stations to Close

BALTIMORE - Four MARC train stations will be closed in March, including one that has served as a rail center since the 1830s.

The Maryland Transit Administration said Tuesday that it will close the St. Denis and Jessup MARC stations on the Camden Line in Howard County, and the Dickerson and Boyds stations on the Brunswick Line in Montgomery County. The closures will take effect March 6.

"These for stations simply don't generate the ridership necessary to justify the investment required to keep them operating and safe," Transportation Secretary Robert Flanagan said in a news release. The combined average daily ridership for all four stations is 41 people, the MTA said.

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Relief Coming to the Mixing Bowl

SPRINGFIELD, Va. -- If you are one of the 30,000 drivers that move through the Springfield Interchange every morning, things may get a little easier starting Jan. 16.

That's when the $24 million flyover officially opens.

"The new bridge will give drivers heading north on I-95 a smooth and easy transition towards the Wilson Bridge, easing the weaving, merging and slowing that clogs the highway daily," said Greg Whirley, acting V-DOT commissioner.

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Good deal! I took a pic when I was stuck in traffic near the mixing bowl. Might as well be somewhat productive.

[urbanvb]

Plenty of transportation news as of late.

Fairfax Weighs MetroWest Fines To Cut Car Use

The builders of the MetroWest project -- the cluster of homes, offices and stores proposed near the Vienna Metro station -- could be fined almost $500,000 if they cannot persuade enough residents and workers to stop using their cars, according to a deal being considered by Fairfax County.

The unusual penalties against Pulte Homes would kick in if a series of carrots and sticks designed to reduce the number of car trips at MetroWest by almost half does not succeed.

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[urbanvb]

Metro Wants to Add Staff for Baseball, Other Special Events

WASHINGTON (AP) - Between the Nationals, Wizards and Capitals games, Metro spends a lot of money on overtime to handle the extra passengers. So on Thursday, transit agency officials asked the Metro Board for permission to add 30 positions, calling it more cost effective.

Chief Operating Officer Jim Hughes said hiring more train operators, mechanics and cleaners would be offset by added revenue from riders attending special events like sports. Metro officials project the additional staffing would cost about $2.5 million in fiscal 2007. Hughes said exact figures would be available in March.

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[urbanvb]

Kaine Pursues Sprawl, Traffic

Unveiling of Policies Today Will Spotlight Local Growth Curbs

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[urbanvb]

Metro Gets Earful from Angry Riders

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[urbanvb]

Study to Improve I-66 OK'd by Transportation Board

WASHINGTON - Traffic moving, or at least hoping to move, west through Arlington County on Interstate 66 will get a closer look.

The region's Transportation Planning Board approved a plan Wednesday that will give Virginia the go-ahead to spend around $10 million on a more in-depth study to make spot improvements on the often packed highway.

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[urbanvb]

Streetcars to Roll Again in D.C.

WASHINGTON - Streetcars will soon be making a comeback in the District of Columbia.

The last streetcar ran in 1962. The Examiner reports that D.C. transportation officials expect to have them rolling again by early next year.

The coordinator of the Great Streets Project for D.C. Department of Transportation says the city is expected to request bids this summer to install tracks along H Street and Benning Road. The three-and-a-half mile stretch of road already is being rebuilt. The tracks would run from near Union Station to the Minnesota Avenue Metro station.

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sounds like awesome news.