Columbia Pike Streetcar One Step Closer to Reality

DURING THE EARLY PLANNING STAGES for Metrorail, a branch was considered that would run from the Pentagon station through the Columbia Pike corridor to the Lincolnia area of Fairfax County. That rail line didn't make the final cut. But initial funding for a proposed streetcar line that would follow a similar route was approved last week in a unanimous vote by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, which OK'd a number of other transit projects as well.

As The Post's Michael Laris reports:

The $392 million spending plan approved by the authority last week covers 2 1/2 years and includes more than $150 million for Metro, as well as a list of projects small and large, from bike trails and a municipal garage in Falls Church to an interchange at routes 7 and 659 in Loudoun County and the widening of Route 1 in Prince William County, among other projects.

But the spending plan depends on the transportation authority winning a lawsuit in the Virginia Supreme Court over its ability to raise taxes.

With last week's vote, the authority plans on spending an initial $36.9 million for the streetcar line, primarily for environmental impact studies and preliminary design and engineering work, according to NVTA documents. The total cost of the 4.7-mile streetcar line — which would run from the Pentagon City station in Arlington County to the Skyline area of Fairfax County near Bailey's Crossroads — is currently estimated at $138.5 million.

Critics say the appropriations for the streetcar project could be better spent, The Post reports. Advocates, however, argue that the added development along the Columbia Pike corridor would be worth the cost of the light-rail line.

» "Streetcar Plan Has Money and Desire" [WaPo]
» "Pike Transit Initiative" [WMATA]

Images courtesy Pike Transit Initiative

Posted By Michael Grass at 11:20 AM on January 14, 2008 Tagged in Arlington County , Fairfax County , Free Ride , News , Pentagon City , Planning , Real Estate , Top Stories , Transit , Virginia

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