Funds okayed for a safer Metro

The Washington Metrpolitan area’s public transit got a $150 million safety shot in the arm Nov. 17, according to a statement from U.S. Senators Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.).

Funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) was included in the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2012. The Act passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate last evening, the statement noted.

There are two strings attached to the legislation. Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, must match the federal funding for a total of $300 million.. Also, the Act requires the highest priority be given to capital projects that will improve safety at WMATA.

Webb was quoted as saying, “Millions of Virginians use the Metro system each year to commute to work, visit the Nation’s Capital or conduct business with the federal government.  These public transit investments are part of our ongoing efforts to ease gridlock and traffic congestion in Northern Virginia.”

Warner was quoted as saying, “Federal employees account for nearly half of Metro’s peak-hour ridership and millions of visitors use the system each year, and I am proud that the Virginia and Maryland delegations were able to follow through with this commitment.”

Before the bill officially becomes law, it must be signed by the President.