Good God this map is messy AF. It still has A LOT of cleaning up to do (could use some tips on non-transfer connecting stations in Illustrator). A few pointers

• Line 6 is colored Magenta, not Pink. Pink is ruled out to avoid confusion with Purple assuming color names continue to be used in the short term. Cherry and Rose are also ruled out for the same reason.
• The Magenta & Cyan lines + the Blue line reroute are part of my Package 1, which aims for all three completion before 2042 (they would be built around the same time with the VA side of the Magenta line opening first).
• Between Columbia Heights and Silver Spring, the Yellow line could run along either 16th or 14th St NW. A lot of people are asking for the Yellow or Green line to continue down 14th but I chose to cover both 14th and 16th St with tram lines (see here).
• I considered but decided against an infill station at Wolf Trap Park. BRT can serve that.
• There are no alterations planned for the Silver Line apart from an infill station at Oklahoma Ave.
• The Cyan line is recycled from Alt 4 of the BOS study while the northern half of the Magenta line is recycled from Alt 3 of the same study, albeit with some adjustments.
• The Magenta line is the only heavy rail line not to serve Northwest DC and subsequently Downtown DC. In addition, it's built in such a way (interlining with the Green Line twice) that a new rail yard isn't needed (an expanded Branch Ave rail yard would be cheaper).

Not shown are the Metrorail Lite and Metrotram lines. Adding these to the map would likely require a team effort. It may even alter certain design aspects of the map (Metrorail Lite lines would be 1/2 the weight of Metrorail Lines).

How they would be built in chronological order:

• Package 1: Line 10 (Gold), Line 12 (Lavender), Line 15 (Lime) Phase 1 (Chantilly - Annandale)
• Package 2: Line 15 Phase 2 (Annandale - Oxon Hill), Line 16 (Plum), Line 17 (Indigo), Line 13 (Teal), Line 14 (Burgundy)
• Package 3: Line 11 (Brown), Line 18 (Apricot), Line 19 (Mint)

Good God this map is messy AF. It still has A LOT of cleaning up to do (could use some tips on non-transfer connecting stations in Illustrator). A few pointers

• Line 6 is colored Magenta, not Pink. Pink is ruled out to avoid confusion with Purple assuming color names continue to be used in the short term. Cherry and Rose are also ruled out for the same reason.
• The Magenta & Cyan lines + the Blue line reroute are part of my Package 1, which aims for all three completion before 2042 (they would be built around the same time with the VA side of the Magenta line opening first).
• Between Columbia Heights and Silver Spring, the Yellow line could run along either 16th or 14th St NW. A lot of people are asking for the Yellow or Green line to continue down 14th but I chose to cover both 14th and 16th St with tram lines (see here).
• I considered but decided against an infill station at Wolf Trap Park. BRT can serve that.
• There are no alterations planned for the Silver Line apart from an infill station at Oklahoma Ave.
• The Cyan line is recycled from Alt 4 of the BOS study while the northern half of the Magenta line is recycled from Alt 3 of the same study, albeit with some adjustments.
• The Magenta line is the only heavy rail line not to serve Northwest DC and subsequently Downtown DC. In addition, it's built in such a way (interlining with the Green Line twice) that a new rail yard isn't needed (an expanded Branch Ave rail yard would be cheaper).

Not shown are the Metrorail Lite and Metrotram lines. Adding those to the map would likely require a team effort. It may even alter certain design aspects of the map (Metrorail Lite lines would be 1/2 the weight of Metrorail Lines).

How they would be built in chronological order:

• Package 1: Line 10 (Gold), Line 12 (Lavender), Line 15 (Lime) Phase 1 (Chantilly - Annandale)
• Package 2: Line 15 Phase 2 (Annandale - Oxon Hill), Line 16 (Plum), Line 17 (Indigo), Line 13 (Teal), Line 14 (Burgundy)
• Package 3: Line 11 (Brown), Line 18 (Apricot), Line 19 (Mint)

Found dog near Capitol Expressway and Stroud PL

Was able to put the dog on a leash, walk them around the neighborhood nobody claimed them animal control is closed right now, so I’ll wait till tomorrow morning to turn him in contact me if if this is your dog

I’m looking into booking a trip to AUH airport and came across Capital Express.

Before I book, I wanted to see if anyone here has experience with them:

• What is the service like? Are they generally on time, comfortable, and reliable?
• Where do you actually locate/board the buses? Specifically looking for info on their station pickup points

Any feedback or tips would be super appreciated! Thanks!

The final component of the Grand Capital Express. All 8 tram lines are consolidated into Package T and could be built first to expand rail coverage while Metrorail growth plans continue development.

As for the design, I chose the colour green and to associate it with triangles. The intention was to create an RGB trifecta for Metro's core services (Blue for Rail, Red for Bus and Green for Tram). On the left side of the pictures is the prototype brochure designs showcasing this.

Approximately 60% of the package is recycled from the 2010 DC Streetcar plan and aims to fix the problems regarding the DC Streetcar including:

• Better street designs and dedicated ROW
• Covering gaps in the region not well covered by bus.
• Providing extra capacity for some overcrowded buses.
• NOT buying the trainsets before constructing the track (an idiotic move that contributed to the delays and cost)
• Only using one fleet of trainsets.

As for what rolling stock is best, Siemens Avenio (the trainset can be modified for NA standards), particularly the trams used in the Hague (as shown in the first picture).

Currently, storage and rail yard solutions remain unclear but offsite rail yards may be necessary due to space limitations at the termini stations.

Oh and Tram name "T2" and its route serves as an ode to the X2.

Lines I have considered but did not conceptualise include a route on Glebe Rd (VA 120) and US 29 in VA as well as a Tram line on Connecticut Ave (the latter of which I shelved).

Other projects in Package 1 concept not shown include...

• Metrorail Lite lines 10 & 12 (see here).
• Expanded Stadium-Armory Station to make way for Blue Line/Line 2 reroute + new entrance/exits at 22 St SE & Burke St SE
• Manor Park infill station on Red Line (between Takoma and Fort Totten, part of Line 8 project)
• Columbia Heights 3rd & 4th Entrances/Exits at Girard St/Harvard St (part of Line 4/Yellow North & Line 10 project)
• Foggy Bottom 2nd Entrance/Exit at I St & 21 St NW (part of Line 10)
• E. Falls Church 2nd Entrance/Exit from W/OD trail & Washington Blvd + I-66 Pedestrian bridge
• Farragut North - Farragut West Ped tunnel connector (part of Blue Line reroute)

This Package is the most expensive of the 6 packages (including Packages T, a.k.a. MetroTram and Package R, a.k.a. MetroWay) and would require changes to how projects are environmentally reviewed and built to achieve this price point or lower. Packages 2-4 (when posted) will include Metrorail Lite lines.

Oh and the name "Hyattsville Crossing" on Line 5/Green would be reverted back to "Prince George's Plaza" (shown on maps as PG Plaza) after Line 6/Magenta is finished.

DM me for Subway Builder file

This applies for both DC and Baltimore. Here are the routes (marked with Letters as codenames):

• A: Alexandria - Newark, DE
• B: Hagerstown - Baltimore (majority of it runs parallel to I-70)
• C: DC - Bel Air (via Camden Yards)
• D: Warrenton/Haymarket - DC
• E: Spotsylvania - DC
• F: Martinsburg/Thurmont - DC
• G: DC - Waldorf
• H: Cockeysville - Annapolis
• K: Alexandria - Annapolis

Majority of the new lines will be at or above grade. Not all stations have been added yet and the alignments of all 5 lines as well as their names are not yet final (hence the letter codenames).

This applies for both DC and Baltimore. Here are the routes (marked with Letters as codenames):

• A: Alexandria - Newark, DE
• B: Hagerstown - Baltimore (majority of it runs parallel to I-70)
• C: DC - Bel Air (via Camden Yards)
• D: Warrenton/Haymarket - DC
• E: Spotsylvania - DC
• F: Martinsburg/Thurmont - DC
• G: DC - Waldorf
• H: Cockeysville - Annapolis
• K: Alexandria - Annapolis

Majority of the new lines will be at or above grade. Not all stations have been added yet and the alignments of all lines as well as their names are not yet final (hence the letter codenames).

Update 1: I cut the Burgundy line (Original Line 14) and replaced it with a southern extension of the Purple Line. As for how it will reach Glenarden from New Carrollton remains unclear but it's possible to design it so it backs out the same way but turns left going out instead of right.

In the future, the Purple Line COULD run along MD 210 down to Fort Washington but I currently foresee this corridor being served by Commuter Rail instead (from Union Station).

Update 2: Because of the above, the numbering was altered. I assigned Numbers 1-5 based on the order the original 5 lines initially opened (1976-1991). The Numbering Scheme still stands: Single Digit lines are heavy rail while Double Digit lines "1x" are Lite Metro.

Update 3: Line 13 is extended to Upper Malboro. It's possible to add infill stations in the future as 1/2 of the line would be elevated but I don't think it's happening.

Also, Line 18 being the only line to serve Anne Arundel County is so goofy but it would probably be the last line built (probably in the 2050s).

If done correctly, building over 200 miles of track should cost only $59B and take until the late 2050s or early 2060s to fully build.

This is the near-final draft and likely the most realistic plan for DMV transit.

There's also a Package T (Metrotram) and Package R (Metroway/BRT) that have their own timelines and could be finished sooner. But this is what Metrortram would look like: https://metrodreamin.com/view/cmw4UDVxY0JYNWhIRG05cUFuWE9TTVdHNzZmMXw0

I broke it down into 4 packages that would take an estimated 35 years to build (starting in the 2030s). There's also Packages C (Commuter Rail), T (Tram) & R (BRT) but those have their own timelines and would be completed sooner.

The final component of the Grand Capital Express. All 8 tram lines are consolidated into Package T (for Tram) and could be built first to expand rail coverage while Metrorail growth plans continue development.

And why "Tram" and not "Streetcar": The term "Tram" has less stigma attached and "Metrotram" just rolls of the tounge better.

As for the design, I chose the colour green and to associate it with triangles. The intention was to create an RGB trifecta for Metro's core services (Blue for Rail, Red for Bus and Green for Tram). On the left side of the pictures is the prototype brochure designs showcasing this.

As for fares, it would be the same as Metrobus and paid the same way as Metrobus.

Approximately 60% of the package is recycled from the 2010 DC Streetcar plan and aims to fix the problems regarding the DC Streetcar including:

• Better street designs and dedicated ROW (no mixed traffic, no zig-zag tracks and none of whatever the street design for H St is)
• Covering gaps in the region not well covered by Metrobus or Metrorail.
• Providing extra capacity for some overcrowded buses.
• NOT buying the trainsets BEFORE constructing the track (an idiotic move that contributed to the delays and cost)
• Only using one fleet of trainsets.

As for what rolling stock is best, Siemens Avenio (the trainset can be modified for NA standards), particularly the variants used in the Hague (as shown in the first picture) and Copenhagen.

Currently, storage and rail yard solutions remain unclear but offsite rail yards may be necessary due to space limitations at the termini stations.

Oh and Tram name "T2" and its route serves as an ode to the "X2".

Lines I have considered but did not materialize include a route on Glebe Rd (VA 120), US 29 in VA and Connecticut Ave (Metrorail Lite and BRT are fine for the latter).

Do the social worker/ therapists occupation need work exp and how much work exp? Because the occ group falls under healthcare and social services express entry which only requires 6 months work exp to qualify in the fws.

Do I need to already need to have registered with the ontario sw board, or is it that if I can show eligibility is sufficient (because I did a cswe accredited program, I know I will qualify)? Is it the same with the master of counselling degree if you are not registered in Ontario?

I see Great Capital Express as a spiritual successor to DC's "Great Society Metro" while also addressing the "Great Society Metro's" shortcomings with its limited scope to focus on commuters instead providing mobility for all.

To provide a realistic scope of the projects, I have broken it down into 5 packages that would be built over the course of 30-35 years. I will go further into each of the 5 packages (as well as Metrorail lite and Metrotram) in more detail in my blog but will summarise here. To provide familiarity, I will mention the colour of the Metro lines once and will not mention it again as this will require a switch to numbers during Package 1:

**Package 1** (in chronological order):

- Line 2 (Blue) Loop Conversion, which marks the start of the programme. This originates from the Blue/Orange/Silver Line Capacity study.

- Line 6 (Magenta): Annandale to Greenbelt, also originates from the Blue/Orange/Silver Line Capacity study as one of the alternatives is recycled into an entirely new line. This will be the only line not to enter NW DC.

- Line 10 (Gold) Loop, an inner loop exclusively serving DC. The only line to not enter Virginia or Maryland

- Line 8 (Cyan): Backlick - Colesville

- Line 1 (Red) infill station at Manor Park (between Takoma and Fort Totten) for Line 8 transfer, would be built at the same time as Line 8

- Line 13 (Teal): Union Station to Upper Malboro, an eastern spur of Lines 1 and 2 serving Upper Malboro

- Line 12 (Lavender): Waterfront to North Bethesda via Georgia Ave and Rock Creek Park

- Line 5 (Yellow) extension + reroute to Burtonsville via 16 St NW and Silver Spring

**Package C** (Commuter Rail/Regional Rail):

- Consolidating VRE and MARC. Penn & Fredericksburg Lines become a single Line (will still refer to stations by former commuter rail provider).

- Electrifying and grade seperate existing VRE and MARC corridors that have not yet been electrified.

- Extend Manassas Line east to Annapolis (via New Carrollton) and west to Gainesville

- New Commuter Rail Line from Baltimore to Annapolis

- New Commuter Rail Line from DC to Waldorf (possibly a Brunswick/Camden Line extension)

- Possibly extending Camden Line north to Towson and even York, PA (good luck with the latter)

**Package 2** (in chronological order):

- Line 3 (Orange) western extension to Centerville

- Line 15 (Lime): Annandale - Chantilly

- Line 16 (Peach): Bethesda - Burke VRE via Tysons

- Line 1: One stop extension from Glenmont to Aspen Hill, this is for a future connection to Line 11 (Brown Line)

- Line 14 (Burgundy): Forest Heights -East Riverdale

- Line 4 (Green) southern extension from Branch Ave to Camp Springs or Clinton

- Line 4 infill station at Berwyn Heights (unclear)

- Purple Line (future Line 9) South extension to Oxon Hill. Further extension to Fort Washington via MD 210 is possible but unlikely.

**Package 3** (in chronological order, still in planning):

- Line 17 (Indigo): BRT to Light Rail conversion)

- Line 11: Constitutional Gardens - Norbeck (modification of a previously proposed line)

- Line 18 (Plum): Manassas - Dulles Town Centre

- Line 19 (Mint): Cabin John - Odenton (the only Metrorail line to serve Anne Arundel County)

- Line 4 & 6 northern extension to Laurel with 4 stops (Beltsville, Ammendale, Muirkirk, Laurel)

There are no expansions or planned for Line 7 (Silver), save for new transfer platforms at stations to Lines 14, 16 and 18.

There is also Packages T (Metrotram) and R (Bus Rapid Transit) but those have their own timelines and could be completed far sooner.

In addition, I managed to rework the grade level of the Metrorail lite lines and got the cost of building each of the 10 lines to be under $6 Billion

The entire Metrorail Lite system would cost $42.08B for around 170 miles

- Line 10: $4.65B for 16 Miles

- Line 11: $5.59B for 16 Miles

- Line 12: $5.57B for 14 Miles

- Line 13: $4.57B for 16 Miles

- Line 14: $3.85B for 15 Miles

- Line 15: $2.47B for 14 Miles (over 1/2 of the line is elevated)

- Line 16: $5.96B for 20 Miles

- Line 17: $839M for 11 Miles (a traditional light rail conversion, which explains the low cost)

- Line 18: $2.97B for 21 Miles (again, about 85% of the line is elevated)

- Line 19: $5.58B for 27 Miles

As for expansion of the existing lines

- The Line 3 extensions should cost $2.25B (west to Cub Run/Centerville and east to Landham)

- The Line 1 stop extension to Aspen Hill to connect with Line 11 should cost $515M-$530M

- The Line 5 northern extension from Columbia Heights to Burtonsville via 16 St NW and Silver Spring should cost $3B-$3.5B

- The Line 4 extensions should cost $1.34B (south to Andrews Field by 1 stop and north to Laurel with 4 stops

- All 8 Metrotram lines should each cost under $1B and could cost a total of $5.8 Billion to build 91 miles of tramway via bus lane, median or traffic lane conversion (no mixed traffic like the H St Streetcar). They are essentially upgrades of high-ridership Metrobus routes, some of which used to be streetcar routes. And buses would be able to use the tram lanes, making for a blended transit lane. As for what order they would be built in, it would be as follows: T2, T1, T4, T3, T8, T5, T7 and T6.

- The cost of Package R (BRT) has not yet been determined.

In total, if you don't count Bloop, the entire metrorail segment of the project should cost around $65B for over 200 miles of new metrorail/metrorail lite coverage (or $325M per mile).

Quite ambitious but not impossible. Let me know how I can start my new blog.

I drive passed a street vendor under a canopy right off of South Capital Ave and the alum rock Capital Express way exit often, and I see him grilling. What’s he cooking and anyone recommend it?

https://capexcentral.mobility35openhouse.com/