Metro in 2050, With Stops in Georgetown?

• November 26, 2013
• 10 Comments

by Shilpi Paul

The intersection of M Street and Wisconsin Avenue in Georgetown

What would the Metro system look like with a couple stops in Georgetown?

As Metro plans out the next few decades, they are considering the possibility of running a Blue Line through H Street, NoMa and Georgetown, a plan that has the support of at least a few neighborhood groups, reported Georgetown Metropolitan on Tuesday.

The Georgetown BID has issued a statement of support for the new line, and other community associations are signing on as well. Next week, ANC 2E will also consider signing on in support of the new line.

From Georgetown Metropolitan.

Right now, the Blue Line follows the same path as the Orange Line in most of DC proper. As revealed in the image above, the adjusted Blue Line will be bumped to the north of the Orange Line, with two stops in Georgetown — one at Georgetown University — as well as stops at Thomas Circle, the Convention Center, NoMa and two on the H Street Corridor, among others. Of course, the timeline for the completion of these new stops would be decades from now.

As we reported last summer, the Georgetown BID is in the midst of a grand visioning exercise for the neighborhood that includes dreams of a gondola, a giant swimming pool in the aqueduct, and one or two Metro stations.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/metro_in_2050_with_a_stop_in_georgetown/7870

10 Comments

1. John H said at 8:10 pm on Tuesday November 26, 2013:
   Metro suggests two subway stops in Georgetown. Hariet Tregoning and Victor Hoskins submit a bill to increase density, eliminate parking requirements, and provide city subsidy for development. "Georgetown is dying, it can't compete with the high rises on U Street, we have to do something to sustain the energy of this historically vital commercial area".

1. AreYouSure said at 8:59 pm on Tuesday November 26, 2013:
   John IIUC the current proposal is to eliminate parking mins and downtown DC only, and that would not apply to Gtown. There are lots of things that could increase density - I am not aware of any proposal for upzoning in Gtown - link? Also not sure what city subsidy you are referring to. Metro mostly wants a seperate blue line to deal with congestion on the tunnels from Va, and at the main transfer stations. But once you do that, putting stations in Gtown is logical.

1. Anon said at 4:48 am on Wednesday November 27, 2013:
   Why would Metro be considering this when there's plans to run a streetcar from Gtown to Benning Road Metro already? They basically take the same route! Doesn't make any sense. If anything, build in a Blue Line above ground stop (a la Eisenhower Avenue) between Stadium-Armory and Benning Rd above Benning near the Langston golf course and call it Langston. That station would be right there to access the streetcar. Done.

1. Rick said at 2:46 pm on Wednesday November 27, 2013:
   "Why would Metro be considering this when there’s plans to run a streetcar from Gtown to Benning Road Metro already? They basically take the same route! Doesn’t make any sense" It does as the purpose of the new line is not just to provide access to Georgetown via Metro, but also to increase overall throughput and relieve congestion from Virginia to DC by a new tunnel under the Potomac.

1. Anon said at 3:31 pm on Wednesday November 27, 2013:
   The most recent plans don't have the Blue line continuing to Stadium Armory. The Silver Line will probably replace all service to Largo if we get a seperate blue line. The most likely scenario is that it would go south from Union and loop back and use the Yellow Line bridge to Pentagon.

1. Rich 'n Alexandria said at 3:35 pm on Wednesday November 27, 2013:
   But I wonder if there really is the need (e.g. financial justification) for another Metro crossing over/under the Potomac. As I understand it, the number of commuters from VA into DC is holding pretty steady, while county-to-county commuting is growing.

1. Brian in Glover Park said at 4:03 pm on Wednesday November 27, 2013:
   This plan is not visionary enough. Yes, Georgetown needs a metro stop (or two). But once Georgetown gets its metro, we need a line that runs under Wisconsin Ave. and connects Georgetown and Tenleytown, with stops in N. Georgetown, Burleith, Glover Park, Cathedral Heights, and W. Cleveland Park. The high-population density stretch of Wisconsin Ave. between Georgetown and Tenleytown remains tragically underserved by metro and (proposed) streetcar. Brian Cohen ANC 3B Commissioner Glover Park

1. Richard said at 4:19 pm on Wednesday November 27, 2013:
   “Why would Metro be considering this when there’s plans to run a streetcar from Gtown to Benning Road Metro already? They basically take the same route! Doesn’t make any sense” A street car and heavy rail metro are very different things. The stops are further apart on a metro line, the train moves faster, it takes longer to get onto the platform though, making it better for longer distance travel. The price is also different, it being cheaper to take the street car. One is not a replacement for the other, they complement each other. Further, the metro line will connect Rosslyn and the rest of VA with Georgetown as well as decreasing congestion on one of the busiest parts of the Metro.

1. Rick said at 4:37 pm on Wednesday November 27, 2013:
   "This plan is not visionary enough. Yes, Georgetown needs a metro stop (or two). But once Georgetown gets its metro, we need a line that runs under Wisconsin Ave. and connects Georgetown and Tenleytown, with stops in N. Georgetown, Burleith, Glover Park, Cathedral Heights, and W. Cleveland Park." Perhaps something like this: http://goo.gl/uwtvMM

1. Anon said at 8:16 pm on Wednesday November 27, 2013:
   In mixed traffic streetcars will move at 10-15 miles an hour and stops every 1/4 mile or so. Metro runs more like 25-40 mph stopping every 1/4 (only downtown) -1.5 miles so as Richard said complementary not interchangeable.