D.C.: Metro considers building ‘inner loop’ of new stations to ease congestion in system’s core

(WaPo) Metro is trying to find long-term solutions for alleviating congestion in its 37-year-old rail system, and the agency’s planning staff argues that adding longer cars or building various streetcar, light-rail and bus rapid transit systems that have been proposed for the region isn’t likely to be sufficient to solve the problem.

More stations and tunnels are needed, Metro officials argue. Not to reach new and different parts of the region, but to take the pressure off its most heavily used and crowded lines.

Even though the Silver Line isn’t expected to open until early next year, Metro’s biggest choke point is already in Rosslyn, where rush-hour commuters in both directions regularly see filled-to-the-brim train cars pass them by. Metro began raising the possibility of a new underground tunnel between Rosslyn and Georgetown nearly a year ago, part of $26 billion in overall improvements the agency has proposed.

Now Metro’s planners have begun suggesting that the region add 10 new stations and create four “super stations” by adding capacity and connections around the two Farragut Square stations, Union Station, the Capitol South station and the Pentagon station.

The 10 new stations have not been named. But going clockwise from Rosslyn, they look something like Rosslyn II, Georgetown University, Georgetown, West End, Thomas Circle, Mount Vernon Triangle, Capitol Hill North, Navy Yard II, Waterfront II and Potomac Park. .....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/metro-planners-consider-inner-loop-of-new-stations-to-strengthen-systems-core/2013/12/17/a46a2fc8-667b-11e3-8b5b-a77187b716a3_story.html