It took him 6 months and 50,000 Lego pieces - but Richard Paules from Petworth built a replica of
@Dulles_Airport
. Well the Airport bought it and it goes on display tomorrow! More on
@nbcwashington
tonight
BREAKING - Metro’s Silver Line extension to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County will officially open Tuesday November 15th!
#wmata
@nbcwashington
EXCLUSIVE - we get the first look on Metro’s Silver Line pulling up to
@Dulles_Airport
. Simulated service running now, passenger service expected soon.
#wmata
@nbcwashington
BREAKING: Metro says the Silver Line to Dulles Airport and Loudoun County is ready to open in time for the Thanksgiving travel rush - BUT…..there aren’t enough trains because of those sidelined 7000 series railcars
#wmata
@nbcwashington
Don’t know who needs to hear this but our beloved Union Station in DC has become run down, torn and frankly smelly. We need a reset. I know there’s a larger plan - but right now, not the best entrance to the city.
BREAKING - Metro and
@MWCOG
announcing that they will bring the Metro Board and COG Board together for the first time ever. The goal is to find a way to possibly transform all transit groups across the region to become one interchangeable system
@nbcwashington
#wmata
EXCLUSIVE-The new Frederick Douglass Bridge in Southeast DC will open a month ahead of schedule, according to project leaders. Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the bridge in a few weeks, starting the week of Sept 6th.
@nbcwashington
BREAKING-Metro recommending huge changes to increase service+ridership including:
-Expanding rush hour service
- Reducing weekend fares to a flat $2 on rail
-Extending Yellow Ln service to Greenbelt
-Running all Red Line trains to Glenmont
-Expanding all trains to 8 cars
#wmata
NEW: Metro says it could shut down 10 low ridership stations as part of a plan to close a massive budget gap. One of those low ridership stations - Potomac Yard. The station averaged just 2,911 riders/week in Sept. Assuming it would reopen for NBA/NHL though
#wmata
@nbcwashington
Metro just took control of the Silver Line extension, but that isn’t stopping the transit agency from eyeing potential future extensions as well. What do you think about a “ Blue Line Loop?” More on
@nbcwashington
tonight
#wmata
Opinion time: with gas prices the way they are, Metro is missing a huge opportunity to get people back on board. And for goodness sake - get rid of the peak fares and put in a flat fare permanently. It’s clear rush hour isn’t the same
#wmata
@nbcwashington
NEW: Metro’s GM says for the first time that a regional tax should be discussed to permanently fund the transit agency. The comments come as Metro faces a massive $750 million budget shortfall. His full interview from
@nbcwashington
here:
#wmata
@wmataGM
NEW: plans to redevelop Union Station take another step forward.
@USDOTFRA
just announced a key piece of the process - completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision that officially allows the project to move forward
@nbcwashington
#wmata
#amtrak
Hey
@VaDOTNOVA
@VaDOT
- Southbound on Nutley Street in Vienna near I-66. Whoops! If we went West we would hit Washington State, but not Washington D.C.
@nbcwashington
NEW: Damning new report about
#Amtrak
’s new high-speed Acela trains that were supposed to be on the tracks years ago. A report from
@AmtrakOIG
claims many of the new trains produced have serious safety and functional defects like windows that shatter spontaneously
@nbcwashington
Fed up with inaction and feeling forgotten by the city, DC residents take matters into their own hands - painting crosswalks to try to stop dangerous driving. As we found out, more help may be needed along 16th Street in SE
@nbcwashington
#dctraffic
When is enough enough? 40 people - cyclists, pedestrians, drivers - were killed on DC streets last year. The most since 2007. But in dense Hoboken, NJ - not A SINGLE traffic death in 4 years. What are they doing that’s working so well?
#bikedc
#VisionZero
NEW: Metro’s GM
@wmataGM
on recent shootings on his system “I don’t think this is being political in any nature….we have a gun problem in America.”
#wmata
@nbcwashington
Well
@Reagan_Airport
already SLAMMED with traffic on this day before Thanksgiving. It will take extra time to pick up or drop off. And oh yeah - Metro does give you a very convenient option at this airport to beat the traffic.
#wmata
@nbcwashington
NEW: Metro wants to speed up trips by allowing trains to operate at “Max Allowable Speeds” on all lines. In some cases, that could mean going from 65 to 75 miles per hour.
#wmata
@nbcwashington
NEW: Metro displays its next generation railcars+buses on the National Mall in a few weeks. The 8000 series railcar and all electric bus available March 20-April 3 between 9am and 5pm. One main feature of the new railcars is an open walkway between cars
#wmata
@nbcwashington
2.5 hours from DC to NYC?
@Amtrak
says it’s a possibility soon - and there are plans for faster, more frequent service all along the Northeast Corridor.
@nbcwashington
BREAKING - Metro train that derailed this morning near Reagan National Airport was a 7000 series train. It also happened along the aerial curve that leads toward the airport. Service remains suspended in that area. Pics from
@cmartinez400
#wmata
@nbcwashington
NEW: Metro is testing new “swinging door” faregates (on the right) to prevent riders from jumping the gates. They were installed last week and appear to be working. Meanwhile, faregates modified with clear arches on top (on the left) continue to be jumped.
@nbcwashington
#wmata
NEW: would you like Metro trains to be open all the way through from railcar to railcar? The newest trains, which will be known as the 8000 series, may have this “open gangway” concept
#wmata
@nbcwashington
Metro ridership update - the transit agency says yesterday was the highest rail ridership day since the pandemic began with 430,000 riders on the system. Also, the last two days saw a combined 810,000 riders per day on rail and bus.
#wmata
@nbcwashington
NEW: from the transportation sources I’ve been talking to about about any major transportation plans for this new Wizards/Capitals arena - it seems like very minimal planning to this point other than the new Potomac Yard Metro station.
#wmata
@nbcwashington
NEW: Metro expected to announce today that new, taller faregates are having a big impact on fare evasion. The 55 inch gates are 200 times stronger than glass, according to the transit agency. There are plans to roll out more of them across the system
#wmata
@nbcwashington
Hey
@NatlParkService
I know you know this - but the BW Parkway south of Route 32 is dangerous because of these potholes. Downright dangerous.
@nbcwashington
NEW:
@DDOTDC
says it will start issuing automated $100 fines to drivers who are parked or stopped in a bus zone November 15. A “bus zone” is more or less the area around a bus stop. In January, $100 fines start for drivers traveling in a bus lane.
#wmata
@nbcwashington
Interesting note from today’s Metro board meeting - the Foggy Bottom station is now the busiest in the Metro system. For years, Union Station was always the busiest. Shows you how commuting patterns have changed since the pandemic
#wmata
@nbcwashington
Happy Silver Line opening day! We are live all morning from
@Dulles_Airport
which is lit up red white and blue. We have everything you need to know about taking a ride on the train today.
@nbcwashington
#wmata
EXCLUSIVE: Metro is considering more restrictive faregates as a way to cut down on fare evasion. The transit agency estimates it loses over $25 million a year from riders skipping out on fares.
#wmata
@nbcwashington
NEW: daughter of man who was killed at the Dunn Loring station after a leash attached to him was caught in the door sent us this picture of the dog involved. She says “Daisy” was a PTSD service dog for her father
#wmata
@nbcwashington
You’ve never seen an intersection like this in the DC area - the first ever “protected” intersection is well under construction and changing the rules of the road
@nbcwashington
#wmata
#dctraffic
@MCDOTNow
NEW: Metro says you should start noticing more “Special Police” patrolling trains and buses, as a way to help cut down on crime. The transit agency says it has increased partnerships with local police departments by 70% compared to this time last year.
#wmata
@nbcwashington
Captain White’s Seafood was seen pulling its barge away from the Southwest waterfront. Here’s what we know about the departure of the longtime D.C. favorite for crabs.
NEW:Metro’s safety training drill is turning up some issues with the rail along the second phase of the Silver Line. The rails have been sitting for so long, that many are rusted - meaning some safety equipment is having a hard time “connecting” to the rails
#wmata
@nbcwashington
You guys. This graphic designer is LOSING HER MIND. The
@wmata
escalators now have the colors of which line they take you too. Coolest use of colors to actually help people.
BREAKING - Metro partnering with Apple for new smartphone payment system that goes into effect TODAY! You can now pay for the entire system by using your iPhone. More details this am on
@nbcwashington
#wmata
If you haven’t been through it recently - go walk around Union Station. All of it. The front, back, everything. I’m sad to see it like this and so much needs to be done to help. I’ve been to NY and Philly recently - both have thriving rail stations. Ours is not.
Don’t know who needs to hear this but our beloved Union Station in DC has become run down, torn and frankly smelly. We need a reset. I know there’s a larger plan - but right now, not the best entrance to the city.
Y’all ever been to a party in a Metro station? Me either…until now. This is the new Dulles Airport Station. Ribbon cutting gets underway for Silver Line soon.
#wmata
@nbcwashington
BREAK - Metro Board approves fare and service hour changes that will take effect in the fall, likely September. Here’s a look at some of the changes:
#wmata
@nbcwashington
BREAKING - a “near-miss” was reported at Reagan National Airport this morning, when a Southwest and JetBlue flight came dangerously close to crossing the same runway.
@FAANews
tells
@nbcwashington
there was some confusion with air traffic control.
#airtravel
#airlines
As
#Bush
tribute gets started, cannons fire outside the U.S. Capitol...with a beautiful DC sunset. One man pauses and puts his hand over his heart. What a DC moment
@nbcwashington
#Bush41
NEW: First look inside the brand new North terminal at
@Reagan_Airport
. This is the new terminal that will finally eliminate the dreaded gate 35x where passengers have to take a shuttle and board planes outdoors. The terminal is scheduled to open next year
@nbcwashington
One last time at the Dave Thomas Circle Wendy’s y’all! The line was all the way to the back. Some customers may have shed a tear. Others just wanted Frosty’s and chicken nuggets. We’ll tell you when it finally closes and what happens next on
@nbcwashington
tonight.
NEW: Metro recorded over 331,000 train trips yesterday - it’s largest ridership day on the rails since the pandemic began. Keep in mind, that’s about half of where ridership was pre-pandemic when trips were regularly around 650,000 per day.
#wmata
@nbcwashington
Happening now at
@Reagan_Airport
- Flight attendant association warns that another government shutdown will impact safety and security. Association says impacts from first shutdown are still being felt.
@nbcwashington
So, my boy wasn’t feeling well today with swimmers ear and
@cbtuss
took him to the
@NationalZoo
to cheer him up. She found him a friend to help out. Man....moments sometimes.
@nbcwashington
Do you think you could hit all 97 Metro stations in one day? What about in record time? A local teen just tried to accomplish that feat. The story tonight on
@nbcwashington
#wmata
NEW: Metro’s GM tells
@nbcwashington
he will take a ride on a fully automated train Thursday night, overnight. It’s another step forward as the transit agency eyes a return to automatic mode, and moves away from human controlled trains.
#wmata
BREAKING - a massive $750 million budget gap is presenting a major roadblock to Metro getting back on track. It would hit next summer. Devastating cuts to service like 20-30 minute wait times and a system that closes at 9:30pm are being talked about
#wmata