WMATA De-Interlining Trilogy: Part 2, The New Blue Line

Welcome to the long awaited part 2 of the De-Interlining trilogy. Today I will discuss my idea for a brand new blue line to transform the region.
Blog Mentioned:
www.alexblock.net/blog/2021/1...
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[@edwardmiessner6502]

If only WaMATA had built the central east-west tunnel with 4 tracks!

[@nielspemberton59]

And have the whole system have main-line loading gauge and electrfication at 12KVAC 25HZ overhead wire !

[@ianhardy9375]

The system was never design for that

[@johnp1937]

The commercial area along Wilson Blvd in Arlington was not "in a poor state" in the 1960s. New malls further out were opening, but the commercial area was robust with multiple departments stores, and businesses of all sizes along Wilson. It just may not have been as cutting-edge as the new malls further out like the new Tysons mall (circa 1968). It was smart to relocate the planned orange line to Wilson which ensured the long-term viability of the corridor. But ironically, it was Metro's cut and cover construction that caused many shops and other businesses to relocate in the 1970s. All those businesses in the historic photo (45 seconds into the video) closed or relocated by 1980.

[@apollotransit6711]

I will say that while Blue as you’ve laid it out is pretty optimal it seems like Columbia Pike could still work with the Bloop, with Yellow running down the line instead (though as you mention this would create some weird service patterns with the Franconia Springfield branch and extension from Huntington). Still, doesn’t feel like the end of the world if Bloop has to be the first phase of such an expansion

[@bkark0935]

All Aboard the Betty Bloop!

[@theautistictransitfan]

It could also run like Paris line 15

[@JAXONcreed]

I was cheering for the blue loop, but you make some great points. There's not a practical reason to make it a loop. I guess I just thought it looked cool on the map, but that's no reason to build it that way. Though, breaking the blue line off at Pentagon prevents it from serving Reagan, and I think that's a loss.

[@thehouseoftransit2719]

The yellow still exists, and with a cross platform transfer it’s not that hard for people to just walk across a platform and transfer. Plus there’s a lot more Accessibility that is brought to other places in arlington. That’s the trades off, reduce the ease of access to one location in exchange for much greater access elsewhere and in the system as a whole.

[@illhaveawtrplz]

@@thehouseoftransit2719 I was of a similar mind to @JAXONcreed but you make some good points. Since the system is already designed with radials in mind, it may be better to build a Blue Line alignment as you propose to service the massive rail transit desert along Columbia Pike/Annandale/Fairfax, as it would match the general format of the system while providing a lot of value. Then, push for an orbital (a la the Purple Line) within the bounds of the beltway to enable cross-radial exchanges. This hypothetical Purple Line orbital could utilize the Eisenhower Bridge crossing. In this case, if you were to design an orbital, what would it look like? Or rather, would you do it at all?

[@rebeccawinter472]

I love your stuff. You are smart and dedicated. Be confident. Take the time and re-record your v/o if you can if you flub it. It sounded like you were getting flustered around @4:00. I like the Swiss adage from the last video: "Organization before Electronics before Concrete." I'd add Expansion to the list too, whether it is expansion of service (more trains, more tracks, more bridges on same right of way, if there was space, depending on the situation - wouldn't work so much in this case but it would help). Likely Org - Electronics - Expansion - Concrete. Something like that. Tho I don't want to get into a fight with the Swiss. LOL

[@brycebundens6866]

Your route idea is fine, but apologies, I have to disagree about your analysis of the Bloop. The Bloop does what the purple line will do best - suburban connection! Transit systems that are more than just radial are the best systems in the world! They provide all kinds of new and organic trip possibilities, and they aren’t just an express to traditional office employment downtown. Transferring downtown for any other trip purpose takes a lot of extra time, especially when you need to go back in roughly the same direction on a new radial! Additionally, the Bloop enables a close connection between resource rich Alexandria and the economically disadvantaged southern Maryland and SE DC. We also have no idea what the service patterns will be yet, and clear wayfinding can be figured out, just like other cities with loop lines. Is that fair?

[@WoTMike1989]

I think it's fair but as a non-Maryland and non-Virginia resident the Bloop offers some nice trips but doesn't significantly impact issues with the system. I think you can accomplish both with a better plan than the Bloop and also get better bang for your buck with other transit projects I will gladly take the Bloop if that is the direction we end up going but I don't think it is the best use of the projected cost.

[@matthewconstantine5015]

Oh, man. Train service on Little River would be an absolute game changer. That's one of the busiest and most underserved bus corridors I've experienced. The bus I often take only runs once every 30 minutes and is almost always very late because of the crazy traffic, so I've had a chance to watch a LOT of buses go by, and they're always packed like sardine cans. Even when you've got various buses going by every couple of minutes, they're all full. It's insane. And the two buses that actually go past Annandale? Forget about it. I'd even take rabid bus going from like King Street to Fair Oaks Mall, with dedicated bus lanes. Hell, at this point, I'd take no change to service, but with dedicated bus lanes. That alone would be a huge step up. But a train? That would be amazing!

[@edwallace2828]

There is not a lot of density to support a line.

[@emmanuelsalinas482]

I agree with your idea that Metro systems are primarily to shuttle people between the suburbs and the core. I think one alternative to the "Bloop" could be to have trains start at Eisenhower ave and route them towards National Harbor and beyond. Those trains would then reach Old Town station and continue towards Franconia Springfield. This would mean that there would be no metrorail service between Old Town and Eisenhower Ave, which is probably an unpopular idea. However, you still have the massive park and ride complex in Huntington that many people could use to commute to DC via National Harbor. And vice versa. You could have alot of people commuting from Maryland and park at Oxon Hill and take the metro to Eisenhower ave. Then, you could route the silver line through Columbia Pike, Pentagon, the Yellow Line bridge and eventually to its terminus to Largo on a separate tunnel.

[@donnie4859]

your point about building new stations like Anacostia is so perfect!! We need a lot of cheaper to build shallow stations

[@PDXLibertarian]

I just hope they build the Bloop because the Blue-Loop called the Bloop is badass.

[@bkark0935]

All aboard the “Betty Bloop!”

[@apollotransit6711]

Video so good the wait might’ve been worth it

[@josephmassaua5486]

This is brilliant. Can't wait until we have a metro stop in GTWN. (25 years from now) Keep up the great work -- a Georgetown Student and local policymaker

[@rebeccawinter472]

I like the ideas. I don't know DC well, but if you're using Montreal as an example - what's made the REM successful is that most of it is elevated (not buried). The cost and feasibility will depend partly on how that shakes out but I think it's really solid. Better than the Bloop. :-) I'd love it if you just focused a bit more on the route map as a whole. You fly through close ups really quick - it would be good to get a better sense of the whole route - especially for those not as familiar with DC.

[@MrKcweeda]

very cool

[@deric8]

I disagree with the Huntington - National Harbor connection, that is the game changer because of the amount of conventions and events that happen there that are so close to Reagan National Airport and Alexandria, part of the reason why the bridge can be congested.

[@ChrisGnam]

Being able to get to National Harbor quickly from across the river would be fantastic. And feels like a no Brainer given the bridge was built with a metro crossing in mind. Suburb-to-suburb (and by that, I mean these dense DC suburbs we have) is something we need to be taking more seriously and this would be a great compliment to MD's purple line

[@gdrriley420]

1mi is totally fine stop spacing, every .5mi is what you'd do in the core of a city like NYC

[@thehouseoftransit2719]

for a more local line in urbanized areas, 1/2 is better. If this were far into the suburbs 1 mil makes more sense, which is the case for the section from Lincolnia to Fairfax. Also in NYC it depends. The IND trunks were built to every half mile on the locals, while the BRT & IRT were built to even less on locals, with expresses being less consistent but usually over a mile.

[@Whatneeds2bsaid]

Is it just the art or does the transit map at 14:05 have a quite a few service expansions on it, lol? I think I could get behind the Colombia Pike section etc. of the plan *if and only if* the local government agrees to do a repeat of the Clarendon Blvd/Fairfax Dr. (Heck maybe the developers could even help pay for the cost!) Otherwise, no transit for you.

[@thehouseoftransit2719]

Maybe that map is a sneak peak ;) Also I agree, we need to have upzoning promised with the new line, it won’t be worth it if there isn’t some densification planned along basically of the route.

[@SebiSuper9mil]

DC whooooooooooooooooooooooo, the blue line is also my local line :) (my local station is Franconia)

[@VonTeradoc]

Unknown if you'll see this or not, but Pentagon station wouldn't need to be a cross platform design and require an expensive rebuild. It's split level is similar to Rosslyn and there are already tunnels started where a Columbia Pike line could split off. This can be seen by going to the end of the platform and looking down the tunnel.

[@WoTMike1989]

any chance at part 3?

[@Gant-kk5td]

How do you add those lines to google map??

[@byronbriscoeagent465]

When do you think that the blue line expansion Will happen

[@PEHook]

Please improve your articulation.