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At first glance, I thought I would support a below ground station closer to the airport. But upon reading this article, I think an above ground station would actually work just fine too, and save some money. 600 ft is not that much further than what the below ground station would offer. Plus there will be those fun moving sidewalk things to help you along the way. The only thing I can add is that if they do decide on an above ground station, they should have some sort of building surrounding it, as opposed to having people wait on an exposed walkway.
Above ground is cheaper. Yeah, below ground would be awesome, but if the choice is between an above-ground station or no station at all (which is what it's come down to), I'd rather have an above-ground station.
I really hate how these idiots can't ever compromise or come to an agreement for the greater good.
"Well underground would be much closer to the airport"
"yeah but it's pretty damn expensive..."
"Well we want it underground!"
"And we don't want to pay another $300 million to be 600 feet closer!"
"Well then we won't build the Silver Line out to Dulles!"
"Fine!"
"You're a stupid idiot!"
"You're a poo-poo head!"
I swear I don't get how these people manage to even breathe sometimes. Yeah if they can come up with the funding then an underground station would be better, but some station is better than none. Also for reference, 600 feet is the length of an 8-car Metro train. Hardly a difficult distance to walk.
Last edited by HurricaneDC; 07-09-2011 at 11:59 AM..
At first glance, I thought I would support a below ground station closer to the airport. But upon reading this article, I think an above ground station would actually work just fine too, and save some money. 600 ft is not that much further than what the below ground station would offer. Plus there will be those fun moving sidewalk things to help you along the way. The only thing I can add is that if they do decide on an above ground station, they should have some sort of building surrounding it, as opposed to having people wait on an exposed walkway.
I wish they enclose the Reagan National stop. In the winter you get a 40mph windchill with subfreezing temperatures; with the Blue/Yellow lines running on 15 minute intervals on off-peak hours.
As far as the moving walkway goes, knowing Metro they'll use the same system as the escalators and these will be broken 98% of the time.
I hate using Dulles because it was designed to accommodate airplanes, not people. By the time you arrive, walk to check-in, then take the train, shuttle and walk walk walk, this easily adds at least an hour moving from point A to B. That's not even counting check-in time and security screening. Adding yet another walkway just adds to this time-bust. Build it underground will make it much more attractive to frequent travels (like me).
While building it underground costs more, reduced exposure to the elements will reduce maintenance costs and greatly improve convenience.
Looks like the above-ground station is the winner.
I mean, the fat lady hasn't completely finished singing yet, but the month-long deliberations mediated by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood are over and above-ground was the winner of that. The parties can squabble a little bit longer if they wish but IMO it's a done deal. Another result of the mediation will be that Loudoun County will assume a $135 million financial responsibility for three parking garages.
Cool. Hope they finish it on time. I really wanna take the maiden trip to Tysons and then to Loudoun a few years later.
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