Transit

WMATA Metro Map Survey

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo of Metro System Map, 1996 by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

“Dear PoP,

Can you inform your readers that WMATA has released a survey to gauge DMV response to a revamped metro map including the silver line? I think it’s incredibly important to get opinions.”

You can take the survey here.

Dear PoPville – Commuting to Tyson’s Corner

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Caitlin H. Faw

“Dear PoPville,

So I just got the unfortunate news that my office is moving from dc to tysons. I live in dc (right between the dupont and u street metro stops) and do not have a car. i’ve tried the metro/bus combination, but it takes about an hour to get out to tysons. Any tips from readers about making the commute? Any carpool or more direct bus options?

I really appreciate any tips/suggestions!”

Is slugging a good option?

DDOT says H Street/Benning Road Street Car line “to open no later than mid 2013”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From a DDOT press release:

Future riders of the DC Streetcar system are several steps closer to boarding the initial line. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has released plans that will enable the H Street/Benning Road line to open 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.”

The initial design included a western turnaround and maintenance facility below the H Street “Hopscotch Bridge” adjacent to Union Station. The design was altered when DDOT learned of plans to expand the railroad in the future. While DDOT is still evaluating alternatives to connect the current western turnaround at 3rd and H Street to Union Station, the connection will be included as part of this project.

At the eastern turnaround, DDOT will construct a car barn maintenance facility that could include a training program for students in D.C. Public Schools. If implemented, the program would enable students to learn the principles of streetcar operations and maintenance, providing future career opportunities for D.C. residents and a home-grown pipeline of talent for the eventual 37-mile DC Streetcar system.

As part of the procurement, DDOT has specified a 35 percent Certified Business Enterprise and First Source Agreement requirement for the selected design-build contractor.

Along the already-built corridor, crews will erect catenaries (overhead power lines), install electrical substations and complete other improvements to enable the opening of the line no later than mid 2013.

Dear PoPville – How feasible it is to go through a pregnancy and to raise a child without a car?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Matt.Dunn

“Dear PoPville,

My fiance and I are thinking about starting a family sometime in the next year or two. We have been happily carless in Shaw for 5 years and are wondering how feasible it is to go through a pregnancy and to raise a child without a car? For example, do pregnant women (and new parents) make a lot of unplanned trips to the doctor, for which we would want a car? How have your readers made it work?”

Both of my neighbors who lived for years without cars both got one when they were pregnant. For those with kids or are pregnant (Ed. Note: Congrats to those who are) what have your experiences been like? Has anyone done it without a car? If so – do you use bus or metro? How far away (minutes by foot) do you live from bus/metro?

New Capital Bikeshare Stations Announced

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From DDOT:

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today announced the locations for 32 new Capital Bikeshare stations to be installed in the fall of 2011. It will be the first major expansion of the system in the District since Capital Bikeshare launched last September. Following weeks of planning and extensive community input, DDOT will install the new stations and expand the size of selected existing stations to better meet demand, while also adding 265 additional bicycles to the system. Additionally, DDOT will install the already planned Capital Bikeshare stations at 6th and H Street, NE and Foggy Bottom Metro.

List of NEW Stations:

· 3rd Street and G Street, SE

· 4th Street and E Street, SW

· 5th Street SE between Alabama and Martin Luther King Avenue, SE

· 6th Street and Florida, NE

· 7th Street and Maryland Avenue, NE

· 7th Street and R Street, NW

· 11th Street and H Street, NE

· 16th Street and Euclid Street, NW

· 17th Street and Rhode Island Ave, NW

· 18th Street and Pennsylvania Ave, NW

· 19th Street and New Hampshire Avenue, NW (Dupont South)

· 38th Street, SE at Pennsylvania Ave – Fairfax Village (INSTALLED TODAY)

· 3000 Connecticut. NW – National Zoo

· 4500 Benning Road, NE (Benning Road Metro Station)

· Calvert Street and 39th Street, NW (Stoddert Recreation Center)

· Columbia Road and Belmont Road, NW
· Alabama Avenue at 13th Street, SE – Congress Heights Metro

· Florida Avenue and California Street, NW

· Gallaudet University – 1st Street and Michigan, NW

· Georgia Avenue and Columbia Road, NW

· Good Hope Road and Minnesota Avenue, SE

· M Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

· Maryland Avenue and Independence Avenue, SW (at 6th Street)

· Massachusetts Avenue and 15th Street, SE

· New Jersey Avenue and D Street, SE

· Rhode Island Avenue and 1st Street, NW

· Anacostia Avenue at Benning Road, NE – River Terrace

· Thomas Circle at 14th Street, NW

· Tingey Street and 3rd Street, SE (Yards Park )

· Upshur Street and 14th Street, NW

· Upshur Street and Georgia Avenue, NW

· W Street and Martin Luther King Avenue, SE

Stations to be expanded after the jump. (more…)

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