Image uploaded to flickr by Mr. T in DC.
Today, Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells announced the introduction of legislation that would allow for overhead wires to power streetcars on the H Street, NE/Benning Road line. This follows a late-night move by Council Chair and mayoral candidate Vincent Gray to remove funding for streetcars from the District’s 2010 budget after residents and businesses have already endured years of upheaval and tracks have already been laid. (Gray’s campaign blog received 100+ comments criticizing the move, not to mention the tweets and phone calls.)
Today’s move by Wells seeks to make overhead wires an acceptable method for powering the streetcars, some of which have already arrived. The measure was introduced with the support of 12 of the 13 Councilmembers. A commenter on Frozen Tropics says the dissenter is At-Large member Phil Mendelson.
The text of the press release follows:
| Written by Charles Allen | |
| Tuesday, 01 June 2010 | |
| Tommy Wells Introduce Streetcar Power Technology Legislation
Allows Aerial Streetcar Wires on H Street / Benning Road but Continues Ban in Historic Neighborhoods On Tuesday, June 1, 2010, Councilmember Tommy Wells introduced the “Transportation Infrastructure Amendment Act of 2010.” 12 out of 13 members of the Council co-introduced the measure that defines a power source for streetcars on H Street and Benning Road NE. “This bill represents our next step in connecting neighborhoods with the next generation of public transportation,” commented Wells. The legislation seeks to accomplish several things: • Repeal the 1888 & 1889 law and re-establish the provisions as local law. Legal analyses by several distinguished attorneys, including the District’s Office of the Attorney General, clearly outline the District’s legislative authority to repeal the law and re-establish it under local law. • Create authority for the Mayor to allow aerial wires deemed necessary to power transportation infrastructure projects, but limit the Mayor’s authority to use aerial wires to a strictly defined H Street / Benning Road NE segment. This provision preserves the aerial wire ban in neighborhoods like historic Capitol Hill and Georgetown, and requires that the Mayor must develop a city-wide plan, subject to Council approval, for the use of aerial wires for additional streetcar routes with special attention paid to view corridors of the federal monumental core. • Require the Mayor to submit a report by January 2014 on the feasibility of converting to non-aerial power where any aerial wiring has been installed. The “Transportation Infrastructure Amendment Act of 2010” will bring local control and accountability to the District as it continues the development of the streetcar transportation system to better connect neighborhoods and support local economic development. The bill was referred to the Council’s Committee on Public Works and Transportation. |