Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Congress approves Metro funding
Both chambers of the U.S. Congress have approved $1.5 billion in funding for the Metro system. The money can be used for capital improvements and preventive maintenance projects, according to U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-11th), who sponsored the bill.
“This could not come at a better time,” Davis said. “Train cars and buses must be replaced. Platforms are crumbling. Other facilities need immediate attention. We need to stabilize the future of Metro, and this goes a long way toward addressing its long-term needs."
In exchange for the cash infusion, Metro will now have federal eyes watching its business practices. The bill creates an inspector general for the agency and adds four federally appointed seats to the Metro board.
The bill also requires that Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia each provide $250,000 a year in dedicated funding for the transit system in an attempt to end the current practice of unpredictable annual appropriations from Metro's member jurisdictions.
While Virginia originally planned to fund its share from the pool of Northern Virginia Transportation Authority funding, which was later declared unconstitutional, the state's share will still be covered, according to Deputy Secretary of Transportation Barbara Reese.
"There is overarching state law that requires us to match all federal funds," Reese said. "That basically moves that funding to the top."
You must be logged in to post a comment.