Washington, DC ― Streetcar OK

Rail Transit Online, March 2007

The National Capital Planning Commission has approved final plans for a 1.3-mi. (2.1 km) demonstration streetcar line from the Anacostia Metro Station to Bolling Air Force Base along South Capitol Street.  The agency also consented to the reconstruction of H Street Northeast between 3rd Street and 14th Street, a project that would include installation of tracks for a future streetcar line.  However, the commission urged the city’s department of transportation not to use overhead wires for traction power, noting a legal requirement that utility cables must be placed underground in much of historic Washington but Anacostia is not covered by the ban.  “Overhead is the best available technology at present,” District DoT spokesman Erik Linden told the Examiner.  “But yes, DDoT is already looking into best practices and advanced technology developed in this field.   DDoT will continue to work to explore alternatives and study best practices.”  An innovative in-ground induction power pickup has been successfully used over short distances by at least one light rail system in France.  The District’s original streetcars utilized underground conduits to carry traction power in the central area, switching to trolley poles in the outskirts.  The Anacostia project is scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2008.