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I would love to see an extensive light rail system built in DC. A return to the street car is highly needed, especially considering that the metro is beginning to reach capacity. An extensive lightrail would serve a variety of benefits to the city. A lightrail can serve areas currently underserved by metro, lower ridership on the metro by removing some current short distance metro riders and also provide a ready highly visible transit option for tourists, and over the long term reduce maintenance costs associated with maintaining the WMATA bus fleet. Other benefits associated with an extensive lightrail would be the gentrification and redevelopment of district areas previously untouched by development. IMHO DC has developed tremendously over the past decade with many projects that have moved individuals away from their cars and onto transit. The massive increase in walkable entertainment venues is truly gobsmacking. A developed light rail would only increase and encourage this development.
Speaking to the height restriction I for one would never want to see a relaxation of this law, a few areas yes, but not the whole. The NOMA area would be an interesting area to study for height opening. Additionally the Kennedy stadium, once torn down could prove to be another area for higher height limits 15 - 20 story limits. This softening of height laws coupled with the construction of a few taller buildings within Arlington and even one or two within Crystal City would give DC an interesting panorama of glass structures surrounding the monumental core. Outside of this, DC has plenty of areas remaining that could use additional density and the laws in place would do little to discourage or limit this growth. Afterall one of the unique attributes of this city is that it does not emulate the rest of the country. I am always impressed by the view of the district when entering from the Virginia side. There is almost a Roman quality to the maze of columns, and buildings. The unique horizon of steeples, copulas, and domes is what makes DC.
Jus thought I'd let you know that the light rail idea is already in the works. Within two years it will be completed.
Jus thought I'd let you know that the light rail idea is already in the works. Within two years it will be completed.
Not really. DC ran out of funds for the first segment in Anacostia and the contract expired. If DC had remained on target (without getting involved in the issue of overhead lines), the first segment would be built and running. Remember that the rail cars ordered for the demonstrator line sat (completed) in the Czech republic for nearly two years before being delivered here. In fact they’re now asphalting over some of the layed rail. http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=108815&catid=158 If they continue on their current pace, lightrail won’t be running in the District for some time to come.
Not really. DC ran out of funds for the first segment in Anacostia and the contract expired. If DC had remained on target (without getting involved in the issue of overhead lines), the first segment would be built and running. Remember that the rail cars ordered for the demonstrator line sat (completed) in the Czech republic for nearly two years before being delivered here. In fact they’re now asphalting over some of the layed rail. http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=108815&catid=158 If they continue on their current pace, lightrail won’t be running in the District for some time to come.
The H street line is still being built though and its not that far from being finished. It can be opened in its first segment from Union station to Oklahoma ave sooner then extend it to Benning Road station or Minnesota Ave station making a shortcut and people won't have to go all the way downtown to connect to the red line or vice versa. Plus it'll be more efficient. For that to work though D.DOT needs to order some more streetcars.
Not really. DC ran out of funds for the first segment in Anacostia and the contract expired. If DC had remained on target (without getting involved in the issue of overhead lines), the first segment would be built and running. Remember that the rail cars ordered for the demonstrator line sat (completed) in the Czech republic for nearly two years before being delivered here. In fact they’re now asphalting over some of the layed rail. http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=108815&catid=158 If they continue on their current pace, lightrail won’t be running in the District for some time to come.
I hate to be 'that guy' but god damn, government is so inefficient at anything except killing.
I hate to be 'that guy' but god damn, government is so inefficient at anything except killing.
Exactly, I cannot believe the handling of this project. But to be fair, the lack of progress has been more political than anything else. Especially the roads bloacks that the Capitol Planning Commision have thrown up, yikes!
Exactly, I cannot believe the handling of this project. But to be fair, the lack of progress has been more political than anything else. Especially the roads bloacks that the Capitol Planning Commision have thrown up, yikes!
Exactly, typical government sloth and lackadaisical attitude.
Uh, don't transients do that by themselves by nature of being 'transients'.
lol
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