Press release from Tommy Wells:
Tommy Wells Introduces Streetcar Power Technology Legislation:
Allows Aerial Streetcar Wires on H Street / Benning Road but Continues Ban in Historic Neighborhoods
(Washington, DC) – 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 and 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.
2 comments:
According to Mike DeBonis, the lone council holdout was - you guessed it - Phil Mendelson.
For all the (justified, IMO) wailing and gnashing of teeth about Gray's shady move trying to cut streetcar funding, let's not forget Mendelson has been fighting streetcars a lot lately. Since he's in an at-large seat, we can make our dissatisfaction with his actions known come election day.
The only thing "distinguished" about the AG is his halitosis.
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