Politics & Government

All Eyes on DC Streetcar Plan

International experts weigh in on proposed "22‐mile priority network" of streetcar lines, including route from Union Station to Georgetown.

Leading transportation experts and companies from around the world were among the 20 respondents to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT)'s recent requests for input on a local transportation system.

“The response far exceeded our expectations,” DDOT Director Terry Bellamy said in a press release. “This level of response is indicative of the broad interest and promising nature of the project. It is a unique opportunity to provide premium transit services to the District.”

, DDOT asked industry experts to weigh in on a possible 22-mile priority streetcar system and local bus service operations.

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Though DDOT has proposed a 37-mile system proposed that would bring streetcars to all eight wards, the 22-mile priority system would focus on a smaller core within the larger vision.

DDOT is currently performing an alternatives analysis for a proposed “One City Line” between Union Station and Georgetown. In the June RFI, the route looks similar to the current Circulator bus path, which runs from Union Station along H Street to K Street and under the Whitehurst Freeway.

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Engineering, rail construction, vehicle manufacturing, transit operating and project finance companies based in the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, China and Japan sent in response packages to DDOT, according to a press release from the agency.

DDOT will review the responses over the next 60 days.

“The next step in the process is to review the submissions. We will use the information to help advance our planning and development efforts, likely resulting in a Request for Qualifications notice later this year,” DDOT Chief Engineer Ronaldo “Nick” Nicholson said.


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