Any DC-area transportation activists here? RE: Public tranist

I have just been brought up to speed on the various proposals to alleviate traffic congestion in the DC suburbs, both Maryland and Virginia.

Specifically, I am talking about the proposed Silver Line Metro extension in Northern VA and the Purple Line light rail/bus line vs. Intercounty Connector battle in Maryland (Montgomery and Prince Georges counties).

I have read some stuff on both, but what really has me confused are the objections to the Purple Line light rail (and potentially heavy rail) plan in Maryland. I was wondering if anyone on the board had any insight into rational objections to the plan, beyond the NIMBY arguments ostensibly coming from the Columbia Country Club.

So they will get what they want while Maryland sits still again.

I know that Fairfax county in VA is one of the wealthiest in the country, but it's pretty hard to be more monied than the Chevy Chase-Bethesda-Potomac corridor in Montgomery County MD.

Maybe VA is richer overall, and places more value on the needs of its DC metropolitan residents. I've always gotten the impression that Annapolis cares very little about Montgomery County (and certainly Prince Georges) than it does about the Baltimore area and Eastern Shore.

and we know what those dipwads in the legislature are all about. Back in the 60's and 70's when they were first planning metro, several Virginia suburban lines were proposed and rejected, hence why Maryland ended up with a much more extensive rail line than Virginia did. Of course, it would have been much cheaper to bring Metro out to, say Tysons Corner, back in the 70's, but we never learn do we?

the corporations that hire are the ones that have the money. Maryland is not in awful shape but compare economic growth of companies and they are almost worse than stagnant. The Silver line is far from a done deal. Now the Above ground/tunnel factions are at it again. The dolts that manage the Tysons commerce want below ground. They have a bit of money. If they get their way the Silver line is almost assuredly dead. Too expensive. I am fortunate to have some fantastic inside knowledge on the status of the silver line because i work at a certain agency, trust me it is not a done deal yet.

article on latest <well mosly> here

http://dcist.com/2007/08/30/transit_on_thur_10.php

I had just assumed the Silver Line was a done deal.

But really, I'm more interested in the Purple Line vs. ICC debate in Montgomery County and the objections to light rail, and even heavy rail.

For as wrong as VA gets it sometimes, at least they went with the heavy rail option. Also, as a resident of the area, I wouldn't exactly mind being able to get to Dulles via Metro. I think people are realizing BWI is a viable option if they have to drive anyway.

i ride the MARC, Metro and Fairfax connector every stinking day. commute from Severn to Tyson's Corner. If i have to rely on the on MARC i might as well walk. That system is almost completely broken. The recent proposal to expand ridership from 30,000 a day to 150,000 a day in the next 10 years sends shivers up my spine. Also plans are underway to extend the line into VRE service areas. Also they are planning on serving Philadelphia by having stops in Delaware. Yeah that's gonna be pretty. I can just see CRX jumping for joy on that one. <CRX owns all the amtrak and heavy rail lines that commuter trains use in this area.>

personally i would love to see a rail system like metro be extended the whole eastern seaboard from new york to richmond. Get away from CRX's control completely.

They keep trying to sell it as moving people from upper county to PG when in reality its to move goods via heavy truck. If the latest suit about the environmental impact puts a stay it will be years before they break ground. One thing that majorly pisses me off about it is that this hugely expensive project was supposed to have a parallel bike path, which they cut on the premise that it would cost too much.

The purple line is going to be fought tooth and nail and while a good idea should be aligned with the Shady Grove, Glenmont, New Carrolton Metro stops instead.

The Shady Grove, Glenmont, New Carrolton plan you referred to is the so-called Outer Purple Line option, right?

I have a strong objection to the ICC; it just doesn't seem to make sense. I am now in a position where I may have to advocate for residents of a particular neighborhood that is for the Purple Line.

I'm still trying to figure out why it will be fought tooth and nail, as you mentioned.