METRO TESTING 7000-SERIES RAILCARS ON RED LINE (PHOTOS)

WMATA is finally on something of a timetable to restore automatic train control to its subway system, and the Red Line will be the first route to have it, the Washington Post reported on Sunday. In October, some Red Line trains will begin operating automatically, and all trains will do so by next March, according to the Post report. That long-overdue positive sign wasn't the only big Red Line news this past weekend. Metro tested new 7000-series railcars on the Red Line Saturday and Sunday, between the Twinbrook and Shady Grove Metro stations.

I caught one in action at the Rockville station on Sunday. The train was not accepting passengers during the test run. The 7000-series are manufactured by Kawasaki.

We simply must improve the service and reliability of Metro, if we are to even begin to manage future growth in places like downtown Bethesda, White Flint, Silver Spring and Rockville. Scarce transportation dollars need to go to the projects where they impact the most people, such as 8-car trains for Metro, more capacity on the Red Line (especially north of Grosvenor), and a new Potomac River crossing to relieve congestion on the Beltway and I-270.

NORMAL RED LINE SERVICE RESUMES AT BETHESDA METRO STATION (PHOTO) #WMATA #DC

Service has officially resumed at the Bethesda Metro station, after smoke in the tunnel forced single-tracking on the Red Line between Friendship Heights and Medical Center. Firefighters responded, and Metro mechanics are determining the cause of the smoke, which drifted onto the Bethesda platform during the evening rush tonight. Above is a photo of the first train to stop at the station after the shutdown.

MOCO FIRE AND RESCUE ON SCENE AT BETHESDA METRO STATION (PHOTOS) #DC #WMATA

Smoke in the tunnel near the Bethesda Metro station drifted into the station tonight, prompting a response from Montgomery County police and fire units. Service was temporarily suspended to the station; trains continued to run single-track between Friendship Heights and Medical Center. Metro mechanics are at this hour still attempting to reach a fan shaft by train, and repair the unspecified problem.

SCENES FROM A SHUTDOWN: MONDAY'S METRO RED LINE DETOUR (PHOTOS) #WMATA

Heading from Bethesda to downtown DC was extremely inconvenient yesterday, as Metro did not run trains between Woodley Park and Metro Center on the Red Line. Despite it being a federal holiday, others still had to work. And the shuttle buses used for the surface-level detour were crowded - standing room only, as you can see in these photos. Rush hour weekday station closures? There's got to be a better way.

DUPONT CIRCLE, FARRAGUT N. STATIONS CLOSED ON RED LINE; WMATA STILL FIXING BETHESDA ESCALATOR (PHOTO)

Yet another deadline came and went last Friday at Bethesda Metro Center. The escalator between the plaza and bus bays remained out of service this weekend, as WMATA failed to deliver its Valentine's Day promise. The escalator has been offline for weeks, and Metro continues to set, and then defy, dates upon which it should be operational again. Now WMATA says this Friday, February 21.

This is what happens when there is no accountability. Today, two Red Line stations (Dupont Circle and Farragut North) are closed, forcing riders to exit the Woodley Park station, and take a shuttle bus to Metro Center. All told, probably a 20-minute process amidst already poor service. And they want higher fares for less service.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post "Dr. Gridlock" page yesterday did not even mention about the closure. Just because many people have the day off doesn't mean those who don't are irrelevant. What the Gridlock page did feature, was a full page of Metro puff pieces. On the top, the good doctor had another "stop whining" essay, explaining why you aren't going to get express trains. So there. On the bottom, a rah-rah piece about the really sharp, heroic politicians of Fairfax County, who have masterfully prepared their local bus service for the opening of the Silver Line. And when the Silver Line opens, thanks to WMATA and those Fairfax officials, the whole region will be moved forward, we will achieve utopia, and have world peace to boot.

Why not mention today's Red Line debacle? Because it's embarrassing, when other cities maintain their systems while offering 24-hour subway service. Kind of like a tiny escalator being out of service weeks after it was supposed to be fixed...

GROSVENOR-STRATHMORE IS MOST DANGEROUS METRO STATION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Is one of Bethesda's Metro stations really the most dangerous subway stop in Montgomery County?

According to transit agency WMATA's 2012 crime report, yes.

In 2012, the Grosvenor station was the scene of 34 "Part I" (serious) crimes. The specific crimes were not detailed in the report. Part I crimes can include assault, arson, burglary, homicide, larceny, auto theft, attempted auto theft, rape and robbery.

No arrests were made at the scene of these crimes, according to WMATA's report.

Grosvenor hardly comes to mind as a crime-ridden area.  And, in fact, a December 2012 crime report posted by WMATA lists no incidents at all for the Grosvenor stop. In contrast, the downtown Bethesda station had three minor incidents - 2 bicycle thefts, and an alcohol offense.

Yet Grosvenor was the only station in Montgomery County to make the Top 10 "Most Dangerous" stations in Maryland, in Metro's report.

It is also interesting to compare the Grosvenor crime stats to those of the Northern Virginia hot spot most oft-compared to Bethesda, Clarendon.

No Clarendon Metro stop even made the "Virginia's Most Dangerous List." The stations closest to Clarendon that did make the list were Ballston and Rosslyn. But even combined, both of those Arlington stations still had 14 fewer Part I crimes than Grosvenor. Most embarrassingly, Grosvenor had more Part I crimes than the "Most Dangerous" Metro station in Virginia, Franconia-Springfield, which had 32 to Grosvenor's 34.

According to Metro, your chance of being a victim of crime while in their subway system was about 6-in-a-million rides.

Do these crime statistics match your experience using the Grosvenor stop? Do you feel safe at the Grosvenor-Strathmore station?

I'm kind of surprised by this data, and welcome reader input on this topic in the comments below.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

COUNCIL APPROVES

FUNDING FOR

NEW BETHESDA

METRO SOUTH

ELEVATORS

The Montgomery County Council has just voted to include funding for the future south entrance to the Bethesda Metro station. Also known as the "Purple Line elevators," they will provide access to the future light rail station at Bethesda Row.

This approval means that there will eventually be a reliable entrance to use when Metro's escalators break down. It also keeps the Purple Line project on schedule with the state of Maryland's construction calendar.

PASSION FIN

UPDATE

Renovations Still a Long Way

From Completion

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

This is an update to an update. I was at the Shops at Sumner Place on Friday, and walked over to the future location of highly-anticipated Asian bistro and sushi bar Passion Fin.

The windows at the top across the storefront are uncovered, and I can confirm that - at least as far as the ceiling and interior walls go - there is a long way to go. Ventilation systems and hoses are completely exposed where a ceiling should be. One permit is now posted, for a WSSC inspection. Understandably, the conversion of an apparel boutique to a restaurant would require new plumbing installation for kitchen and restroom water systems. Right inside the front doors, there is an L-shaped makeshift wall.

Out front, the same dumpster is there, and it is not even clear there is anything in it. It has been in the same spot for about 4 months.

All told, and in light of the initial promise of an "early 2012" opening, the project has clearly encountered one or more delays.

When it finally opens, expect Passion Fin to compete more with Yirasai Sushi and similar Japanese restaurants in the Palisades area, more than with Raku and Sushi-ko on the Red Line.

Ironically, Passion Fin, Yirasai and Sushi-ko are all on the route of Ride On Bus 23. So, if you're a rider of the venerable 23, for you there will be a Sushi Showdown in 2012.

For now, sushi fans, patience is a virtue.

IS MTA ROBBING THE

PURPLE LINE TO GET

MORE MONEY FOR

BALTIMORE RED LINE?

Connecticut Avenue, CCT Tunnel Latest on

Chopping Block as Projects Duel for

Same Federal Funds

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Is the Maryland MTA robbing Peter to pay Paul?

The long-delayed Purple Line project is suddenly suffering a death by a thousand cuts. One bombshell drops after another. Politicians' iron-clad promise that the Capital Crescent Trail would be rebuilt as good or better was the first to go.

There are those promoting the light rail project who don't care how the rail or the trail project turn out; they simply want to develop the old neighborhoods east of downtown Silver Spring. Like the poorly-planned Metro to Dulles, it doesn't matter if people use it, it just needs to be there to give TOD zoning and density for developers.

Some of those said, giving up the trail-in-the-tunnel means getting grade-separation at Connecticut Avenue.

By the end of the week, the MTA had jettisoned that bridge, too.

First they put the bikes in the street. Now they're putting the trains in the street. Stop the train, I'll just get out and walk to New Carrollton!

It's strange that there are suddenly so many Purple Line surprises, and the grand bargain between transit advocates, developers, CCT advocates, cyclists, environmentalists and the MoCo political establishment is on the verge of unraveling.

Even stranger, why can't the public read these documents?

"I'm not ready to talk about that," the MTA spokesman replied to a councilmember's Connecticut Avenue query.

Well, considering we pay the salaries and for the preparation of these reports, we ought to be able to know the contents.

That aside, is the long-questioned strategy of Maryland applying for federal cash for 3 rapid transit systems starting to collapse?

The Baltimore Red Line (which I have supported for 6 years) price tag has gotten bigger every year.

In 2007, we were told it would cost $1.6 billion.

By 2010, it was $1.8 billion.

But some estimates price it as over $2 billion.

Labor costs are a major part of that, and Maryland (like Montgomery County) self-inflicts much of the pain with union labor requirements. This makes hefty capital projects even more financially terrifying. But it is self-defeating, because less projects get built, and ultimately, far fewer jobs are created.

The other big cost is from the underground section of the Red Line. I actually support that plan, too. The Red Line is one of the few - and possibly only - subway projects nationwide. Although it is light rail, rather than heavy rail like Metro, it will go under the busiest part of downtown Baltimore. It will also provide easy transfer to Baltimore's modest Metro subway system.

Of course, we were told here that, even though a subway made sense for the Purple Line once it leaves the Georgetown Branch right-of-way, it was too costly.

I would oppose changing the Red Line to an at-grade, street-running tram.

But I wonder if these big Purple Line cuts aren't being made to save cash for the Red Line. Montgomery County is more powerful in Annapolis today, but Baltimore is still No. 1.

The Red Line is arguably higher-priority than the Purple Line. It will connect the downtown with the high-growth (or, at least, what passes for growth in Charm City these days) areas eastward, such as Fells Point and Canton. It will also create a rail transit U-turn connection between Johns Hopkins' main campus and their Bayview facilities.

West Baltimore is another story!

Many residents there oppose the current Red Line proposal. At this stage, developers want the Red Line there so they can "redevelop" the area. Which means that - like Long Branch and Takoma/Langley, etc. on the Purple Line - current residents and businesses will be forced out by higher rents.

There are two more critical projects needed in Baltimore.

First is to connect I-70 to I-170 in the Route 40 corridor, and I-70 to I-95.

These are connections that have to be made to handle the truck traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore, after the modified Panama Canal opens in 2014. Truck tolls could be collected - some for transportation funds, and some for the neighborhood that I-170 passes through.

These funds could help keep existing buildings in good shape, provide small business loans to residents, fund scholarships to help young people become anything from chefs to astronauts, and help hire more police officers to combat crime. Nothing more needs to be demolished. I-170, called "The Highway to Nowhere," is a beautiful piece of classic urban trench freeway. It's there. Let's use it, not waste it. Allow it to generate cash that can be put directly into the hands of residents there, who have been failed by the city for decades.

I-170 can move West Baltimore forward. It can also carry the Red Line west to I-70 and the Park and Ride. Yes, it will go through Leakin Park. But Leakin Park is a highway facility. Moreover, if funds from I-170 and I-70 truck tolls help start and expand homegrown businesses in West Baltimore, I-170 will bring customers into the neighborhood.

I can't believe the Greater Baltimore Committee isn't talking about this, especially with the port boom nearly upon us.

It turns out that "Highway to Nowhere," once connected to I-70 as planned, is actually a highway to somewhere: a gateway to the American West, where I-70 terminates in Utah.

The other priority is an extension of Metro from Greenbelt to BWI, creating a rapid transit connection between the Washington and Baltimore regions.

I support all of these projects, and the Red Line. Baltimore needs a boost.

But doing the right thing in Charm City shouldn't mean weakening the Purple Line project here.

BETHESDA METRO

SOUTH ENTRANCE

DESIGN PROPOSAL

Check out this amazing, 3-D cutaway graphic of the proposed new entrance to the Bethesda Metro station, provided by the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center.

In this rendering, you are standing northeast of the intersection of Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue. The Apex Building - home of Regal Bethesda 10 - is straight ahead, behind the above-ground entrance to the elevators.

These high speed elevators will provide a functioning entrance to the station, unlike the unreliable escalators we have now. They also will facilitate easier access to Metro from Bethesda Row, and to the eventual Purple Line station.

One interesting bit of trivia: this entrance was always planned for the future, and that part of the existing station - and its wall panels - were preconfigured for the south entrance, when the station was originally built.

This illustration is cool enough to make me dust off my childhood copy of David Macaulay's "Underground." Ah, the fine art, beauty and urban utility of a true subway. No mess at street level, no overhead wires and utilities. No creeping and crawling through busy streets, like trolleys and light rail.

That magic train arriving at the lower left is something special. Thanks to horrific mismanagement, many of us have forgotten how lucky we are to have this thing running beneath us in downtown Bethesda. If we can ever get the right people at the top at Metro, and on the board - and clearly they are not there presently - and complete the system, Metro can be right at the top of subway systems worldwide.

I believe it's possible, and if you do too, stop accepting mediocrity, and start speaking and voting your mind.

It's just impossible to believe that stations can be closed every weekend, for what seems like a year now, and have no results tangible to the rider. America could put a man on the moon in ten years, and it takes five to fix an escalator at Bethesda Metro Center?! "Give me a break," as Bill Clinton once said. To have the audacity to ask for more... More?! We need elected officials who are going to stop accepting excuses.

Meanwhile, I don't know what strategy lays behind the cynical ploy of some officials in MoCo to pit the Bethesda south station entrance against the developer-payoff of Wheaton "redevelopment." I believe it has backfired, as there is simply no comparison between the urgent need for a functioning Bethesda station entrance, and a Disneyfication of an already-great community in Wheaton, to benefit developers at taxpayer expense.

That is one nifty graphic up there. Can our elected officials make it reality?