HTF is Saved! Sort of

The HTF is saved! Well, sort of. Until Next year at least. While the final measure passed both chambers with broad support, a few members including Sen. Whitehouse of Rhode Island find the bill ‘pathetic’ while USDOT Sec Foxx was more diplomatic. The nearly $11B bill is good for ten months but was not without its share of drama. The Senate originally sent over a patch that would have only fixed the fund until December, setting up a lame-duck fix. The House slapped that down almost immediately and sent it back to the Senate which passed the House fix Thursday night. For those keeping count at home, this is extension number 1. Here’s hoping we don’t go any higher.

While in DC this past weekend for a wedding I rode the new Silver Line from almost-Dulles-Airport into the city. While several years away from total completion, the Silver Line provides the first non-bus transit link to Dulles airport. The cars operating on the Silver Line are older models taken from Blue Line service and worked fine….until they hit the Orange Line and the old track. The difference between old and new was very obvious. I’m not sure if that difference is as noticeable on the Red Line here in Chicago but new vs. old is a hell of a difference.