Mediocre Bethesda Terminus

The Bethesda Master Plan Appendix provided a blunt assessment of the need to redevelop the Apex Building beyond the desirability of the tunnel under Wisconsin Ave and the substantially reduced likelihood of the Apex Building ever being redeveloped: Ventilation Tower in Bethesda’s Heart The area in front of Barnes and Noble at Woodmont and Bethesda … Continue reading Mediocre Bethesda Terminus

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Mike Madden on Changes to Bethesda PL Station

Tierra Terrapin is one the characters that promotes the Purple Line on the Purple Line Kids’ Page. Mike Madden, the Project Manager for the Purple Line, was kind enough to answer questions I put to him regarding the revised Bethesda Station in light of the County’s decision not to purchase the APEX Building. Here are … Continue reading Mike Madden on Changes to Bethesda PL Station

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Purple Line Station Downgrade, No Tunnel Under Wisc. Ave.

In closed session yesterday, the Montgomery County Council concurred with the recommendation of County Executive Ike Leggett and decided not to go move forward with the funding to facilitate redevelopment of the APEX building and a much improved Purple Line stop in Bethesda. The Council had already greatly expanded the size of the building that … Continue reading Purple Line Station Downgrade, No Tunnel Under Wisc. Ave.

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WABA Launches Petition to Save Tunnel

From the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) blog: Plans have fallen through for a Capital Crescent Trail tunnel underneath Wisconsin Ave in downtown Bethesda. Montgomery County attempted to facilitate a redevelopment of the Apex Building that would have allowed a large and more efficient Purple Line light rail station and trail tunnel. In a closed session several weeks ago … Continue reading WABA Launches Petition to Save Tunnel

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Where’s WABA?

When the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) moved to change the proposed trail crossing at Connecticut Ave. from grade separated to at-grade, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) went ballistic and sent out an action alert demanding the restoration of the grade separated crossing. Understandably. Having to wait for a long light slows down … Continue reading Where’s WABA?

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Why Do Light Rail Costs Only Go Up?

The Washington Post reports that cost estimates for the Purple Line in the DC suburbs have risen by $56 million while the Red Line in Baltimore now is estimated to cost another $220 million. Total cost estimates for the Purple Line are now $2.43 billion–more than double the original cost estimates. As with the previous … Continue reading Why Do Light Rail Costs Only Go Up?

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Verdict on the At-Large Debate

Moderator Charles Duffy with Vivian Malloy, Beth Daly, Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal, Hans Riemer, Robert Dyer, and Tim Willard Last night’s debate at the 4H was unusually well attended–I guesstimated roughly 100 people–with many actual voters who came to hear the candidates. I live tweeted the debate @theseventhstate. The tweets give much of … Continue reading Verdict on the At-Large Debate

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