Tag: transportation funding

Virginia to Congress: Stop approving new flights out of Reagan National Airport

Posted on by Claire Zippel

Stewart Schwartz, the executive director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, said taxpayers already have invested billions in the Dulles Access Road, Dulles Toll Road, Routes 606 and 28, and the Silver Line.

“Now the Dulles folks are seeking billions more for another round of highways,” Schwartz said. “Before we jump into that approach let’s first recognize the challenges that Dulles faces include the fact that they have over projected growth amid the boom in the mid-2000s and they took on too much debt.”

Virginia’s economy needs Dulles Airport to soar again, boosters say

Posted on by Claire Zippel

“This is an event for boosters,” said Stewart Schwartz, executive director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, referring to Thursday’s event. “Nobody’s asking the hard questions — like, ‘Did they overestimate demand and take on too much debt?’ ”

Meeting to address concerns on I-66 HOT lanes

Posted on by Claire Zippel

In announcing the forum, the Coalition for Smarter Growth named some of the popular topics in Fairfax County: How will homes and neighborhoods be affected? Will there be enhanced opportunities for walking and biking? What transit alternatives are being developed? How will the project affect parks, streams and natural habitats? What are the likely effects on everyone during the construction period?

Viewpoint: A smart investment in Maryland

Posted on by Claire Zippel

O’Toole may not buy the estimate that the Purple Line will carry 69,000 riders per day by 2030, but that just shows he doesn’t understand our success in linking transit with transit-oriented development. Less than two months after opening, the Silver Line carried 15,000 riders per day, representing more than 60 percent of the 25,000 riders projected after the first year of operation.

Red Line supporters plan to rally in Annapolis

Posted on by Claire Zippel

Supporters of the 14.1-mile Red Line light rail planned for Baltimore are scheduled to stump for the project Monday night in Annapolis, even as it remains under review at the state level.

Several advocacy groups including the Action Committee for Transit, Coalition for Smarter Growth, Central Maryland Transportation Alliance and Red Line Now are scheduled to turn out to support the $2.9 billion rail line, which would run between Woodlawn and East Baltimore.

Public transit on the ropes

Posted on by Claire Zippel

As badly as the D.C. streetcar — and projects like the Silver Spring Transit Center — have been managed, transit has created enormous value for homeowners and companies. Fortune 500 CEOs are insisting that their employees have access to it. It’s safer than driving. It produces less greenhouse gas. The newest addition, the Silver Line, is already showing strong ridership numbers.

Metro’s fancy new railcars were supposed to be rolling by now

Posted on by Claire Zippel

Eight of the new cars, the first batch acquired by Metro, have been undergoing tests since early 2014.

The planned acquisition of the new cars will allow Metro to scrap cars that date to the 1970s while also expanding its rail fleet, which currently numbers just over 1,100 cars, most built in the 1980s, ‘90s and early 2000s.

Metro committee delays vote on budget options for two weeks

Posted on by Claire Zippel

Transit advocate groups also agree that between fare increases, service cuts or increased subsidies from the jurisdictions, only the third is palatable. “Eighty-percent of those you polled support increasing state and local investment to meet Metro’s full operating budget shortfall, rather than include $46 million in fare increases and service cuts. When we see $46 million, we think of the spending on road and interchange projects where a single interchange can cost that much,” says Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.