Attorney
The federal government is giving a big boost to the Metro regional transit system. This comes in the wake of the 2009 Red Line train crash that killed nine people near Fort Trotten. The U.S. Department of Transportation made the $150 million annual payment to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority through the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.
Here is a breakdown of the funding and spending:
- The federal government is kicking in $150 million in grant funding, which D.C., Maryland and Virginia will match with an additional $150 million
- Over $79 million of the funds will purchase 300 new 7000-Series rail cars to replace the older 1000-Series cars
- In addition, $44 million will go toward track rehabilitation and to replace switching equipment
In addition, some money will fix the Metro’s elevator and escalator system. An advocate for Metro riders said the transportation system needs the funding given the number of people that depend on it.
The National Transportation Safety Board cited the older 1000-Series cars as a factor in the fatal 2009 crash. A Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyer can provide effective representation to anyone injured in a public transportation accident. For answers to any questions, contact Kelly Fisher, a Washington, D.C. personal injury attorney at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis.