DDOT buying streetcars, Fairfax naming Silver stations

Oregon will build streetcars for DC

DDOT announced they have again selected Oregon Iron Works to build 2 more streetcars for the H Street line. DDOT had picked them before, but had to pull the procurement after a challenge by Inekon.

The contract requires delivery 545 days after the official Notice To Proceed, though DDOT hopes to speed that up. First, the DC Council has to approve the contract. (For context, 545 days from today is October 2, 2013.) Meanwhile, DDOT is testing its existing 3 streetcars in the Greenbelt yard, preparing to run service next year.

Silver Line station names may get less boring

Fairfax County staff have recommended a new set of names for Silver Line stations to their board. The original set came under broad criticism for being boring and repetitive, and WMATA then created a survey. Here are their suggestions for new stations. (Michael Perkins)