Metro News Release
For immediate release: October 20, 2003
Metro to hold Public hearing on proposed new Anacostia Transit System
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on October 28 at Birney Elementary School, 2501 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., SE, to discuss the environmental assessment of the Anacostia Corridor Demonstration Project, a proposed new transit system in the Anacostia neighborhood of the District of Columbia.
The Anacostia Corridor Demonstration Project proposes new transit technologies within the District of Columbia on the CSX railroad right-of-way between the Bolling Air Force Base security gate and Pennsylvania Avenue. The transit technologies under study include rail vehicles powered by overhead electric sources and diesel engines. The study also includes two alignments starting from Bolling Air Force Base extending to the Anacostia Metrorail Station, or extending to an end of line station south of Pennsylvania Avenue. After initiating service, the Demonstration Project would have a three-year evaluation period after which a decision would be made whether to continue service.
The environmental assessment identifies the relative impacts the alternatives would have on the surrounding human and natural environments. The environmental assessment has been developed and is being presented at a public hearing in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the WMATA compact. All members of the public are invited to attend the hearing to submit comments on the environmental assessment. Written comments may be submitted throughout the public comment period that ends on November 14. Comments received will be considered by the WMATA Board of Directors. The Board will take action on the proposed Demonstration Project at its meeting in January 2004.
There will be an open house preceding the hearing from 6 to 7:30 p.m. where staff will be available to answer questions about the Demonstration Project and to showcase other community development initiatives in the area being sponsored by the District of Columbia Office of Planning and the District Department of Transportation. The Environmental Assessment Public Hearing will begin at 7:30 p.m. The details of the meeting are as follows:
When: October 28, 2003 Open House: 6 to7:30 p.m. Public Hearing: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Birney Elementary School 2501 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE Washington, DC 20020
Who: All individuals who are interested in this project are invited to attend to ask questions and discuss ideas with the project team, and/or make your comments part of the formal record at the public hearing.
Written statements and exhibits may be submitted until close of business, Friday, November 14th to Mr. Harold Bartlett, Secretary and Chief of Staff, WMATA, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.
The Anacostia Corridor Demonstration Project is part of the District of Columbia Alternatives Analysis; an 18-month study that will determine the appropriate combination of transit technology, alignment, and operating parameters to best serve future high priority transit corridors throughout the city. The Demonstration Project is located along a three mile segment within one of the four corridors currently under study. It is being proposed to "test drive" a new rail technology to demonstrate its application as a valuable link between communities; employment, retail, and cultural centers; and the Metrorail and Metrobus systems.
The Executive Summary of the General Plans and Environmental Assessment for the Anacostia Demonstration Project may be examined on the project website www.dctransitfuture.com, or at any of the following locations.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Office of Business Planning and Project Development, Gregory A. Walker, AICP, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Room 6F-17 Washington, DC 20001, 202-962-1818
Anacostia Library, Good Hope Road and 18th Street, SE, Washington, DC, 202-698-1190
Parklands-Turner Community Library, 1600 Alabama Avenue, S.E. at Stanton Road, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20020, 202-698-1103
Francis A. Gregory Branch Library, 3660 Alabama Avenue, S.E. at 37th Street, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20020, 202-645-4297
Washington Highlands Branch Library, 115 Atlantic Street, S.W. at South Capitol Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20032, 202-645-5880
DC Department of Transportation, Office of Mass Transit, Reeves Municipal Center 2000 14th Street, NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20009, 202-671-0537
News release issued on October 20, 2003.