Vince Gray won’t be the DC mayor who gets to cut the ribbon on the DC Streetcar, but in one last news dump, Gray is giving the long-overdue H Street, Northeast, trolley an opening date.
The streetcar, after years of planning, construction, and safety testing, is on track to begin passenger service the week of January 19, Gray says in one final news dump.
“Safety continues to be our top priority,” Gray, who leaves office Friday, says in a press release. “And while we know that the first day of service is going to be a great day for District residents, we don’t want to rush for the sake of rushing.”
The streetcar, a 2.5-mile route that runs along H Street and Benning Road, had its ceremonial groundbreaking under Mayor Anthony Williams. The tracks were laid down under Mayor Adrian Fenty’s administration, with the electrical and other infrastructural work completed under Gray. Now it’ll be up to Muriel Bowser, the streetcar program’s fourth mayor, to make Gray’s deadline.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Vince Gray Says the Streetcar Will Start Running January 19
One last news dump to end 2014.
Vince Gray won’t be the DC mayor who gets to cut the ribbon on the DC Streetcar, but in one last news dump, Gray is giving the long-overdue H Street, Northeast, trolley an opening date.
The streetcar, after years of planning, construction, and safety testing, is on track to begin passenger service the week of January 19, Gray says in one final news dump.
“Safety continues to be our top priority,” Gray, who leaves office Friday, says in a press release. “And while we know that the first day of service is going to be a great day for District residents, we don’t want to rush for the sake of rushing.”
The streetcar, a 2.5-mile route that runs along H Street and Benning Road, had its ceremonial groundbreaking under Mayor Anthony Williams. The tracks were laid down under Mayor Adrian Fenty’s administration, with the electrical and other infrastructural work completed under Gray. Now it’ll be up to Muriel Bowser, the streetcar program’s fourth mayor, to make Gray’s deadline.
Find Benjamin Freed on Twitter at @brfreed.
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Everything You Need to Know About the New First and Second Families
Why Were Last Night’s Inauguration Fireworks So Amazing?
The Internet Is Freaking Out Over Bernie Sanders Social Distancing in His Mittens
Yes, There’s Already a Bobblehead of Bernie Sanders Social Distancing in His Mittens
Governor Hogan Wants Maryland Schools Reopened by March 1
Washingtonian Magazine
January 2021: Joe Town!
View IssueSubscribe
Get Us on Social
Get Us on Social
Related
Video From Fall Real Estate Market Update With Local Leaders
Washingtonian Real Estate Virtual Happy Hour
Videos from Washingtonian’s Wellness Day
Washingtonian Wellness Day
More from News & Politics
Maryland Congressman Andy Harris Tried to Bring a Gun Into the House Chamber
Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Local Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Trivia?
Why Were Last Night’s Inauguration Fireworks So Amazing?
Biden Removes Trump’s Diet Coke Button—and Makes a Few Other Changes to the Oval Office
Now That the Inauguration Is Over, DC Is Slowly Returning to a New Normal
PHOTOS: Scenes From Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s Inauguration
Governor Hogan Wants Maryland Schools Reopened by March 1
Four Major DC Sports Teams Are Dogged With Covid Issues