Washington, DC ― Suburban Streetcar Funded

Rail Transit Online, February 2008

A proposed 4.7-mi. (7.6 km) streetcar link between Pentagon City and the Skyline area of Fairfax County along Columbia Pike has received a big financial boost from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. The project was awarded $36.9 million as part of the agency's 30-month spending plan that also includes $150 million for Metro.

The Columbia Pike route is seen as the first segment of an area-wide streetcar network. "It is one of the most important things we can do to move people in Northern Virginia and deal with air pollution and global warming," authority President Chris Zimmerman told The Washington Post.
Total estimated cost is $138.5 million, to be financed through higher taxes. which Zimmerman said will be paid back through new revenue from development. More than 14,000 people currently ride Columbia Pike buses each weekday but streetcars could handle double that number.

www.piketransit.com