The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority released an expansion plan Friday that replaces an earlier plan which would have placed a Metro station in Georgetown. In October, 2001, the agency had proposed a new subway line with a station at M Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
Last week’s version of the 10-year plan expands the current system with rapid bus lines, which run above ground and are much less costly than a new subway line. The plan also provides for an increase in subway cars and conventional buses along with the addition of trolleys. Some stations, such as Union Station and Metro Center, will undergo renovations to make them more accessible to an increase riders.
The subway line proposed in 2001 included a stop in Georgetown. The entire line would have cost $6.3 billion. The plan was ultimately deemed too expensive.
“The new plan is the result of a further review and re-evaluation to increase the capacity of the system,” Mass Transit Administrator Alex Eckmann.
“We worked with local governments and we’re advocating a more local focus, for residents and visitors to the city, rather than regional access,” Eckmann said.
