Amid Funding Fight, D.C. Cuts Streetcar System From 22 To 8 Miles

D.C. officials today announced the next step in the construction of additional streetcar lines across the city, but also admitted that a conflict with the D.C. Council over funding would likely cut a planned 22-mile system by more than half.

In announcing a short list of teams that have bid for a contract to design, build, operate, and maintain an Integrated Premium Transit system — which will include new streetcar lines and the existing Circulator buses — officials said that a lack of funds is forcing them to cut two planned streetcar lines: an 10.9-mile line running from Buzzard Point to Takoma Park and a 2.2-mile line running from Anacostia to Southwest D.C.

As a result, they expect that D.C. will only have 8.2 miles of streetcar lines — not the 22 they originally hoped for — by 2024: a line running from Georgetown to Union Station along K Street NW, the extension of the existing H Street line to Minnesota Avenue NE, and an extension of an existing line in Anacostia. ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.wnyc.org/story/amid-funding-fight-dc-cuts-streetcar-system-22-8-miles/