Metro Vote Goes to the Floor

A transportation package is expected to pass the U.S. Senate today, a move that could bring as much as $1.5 billion dollars to the D.C. Metro system. This money is dedicated funding and a part of a plan to improve the safety and efficiency of both the D.C. Metro and the country's aging transportation system.

The bill has become a politically sensitive issue in recent weeks following the deaths of 25 and injury of 130 others in a Los Angeles train accident.

If the bill passes through the senate, D.C. Maryland, and Virginia will have 10 years to produce $1.5 billion in matching funds.

According to the Washington Post, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine said that his state has the resources to match the funds, telling the news outlet that "The top priority is spend our state's transportation dollars on anything where there's a federal match." Kaine continued to say that "So as soon as this thing passes, the Metro funding jumps to the top priority."

No word yet on whether D.C. or Maryland has a plan in place to match the funding.

Even if the bill passes and the funds matched, the funding may not be enough. According to the Post the Metro General Manager John Catoe announced that Metro needs $11.3 billion dollars between the years 2010 and 2020 to provide increased service, while maintaining safety.

-Jesse Regis