As a way to prioritize its 30-year streetcar vision, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) identified 22 miles, within the 37-mile proposed plan, to be implemented first. In addition to meeting the goals of the District’s overall streetcar vision, the 22-mile priority system was established in order to:
- Build upon segments currently in construction or planning;
- Establish priorities for planning and scheduling purposes; and
- Create a robust system with the maximum number of linkages.
On June 26, 2012, a Request for Information (RFI) was released for the purpose of obtaining insight into using this type of delivery approach from experts in the streetcar industry. DDOT is using the information gained through the RFI responses to prepare a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The RFQ will be used to identify the best-qualified teams with which DDOT could partner to deliver this priority system. The RFQ is scheduled for release in Spring 2013.
To support DDOT in advancing the 22-mile priority system, Mayor Vincent Gray established a Streetcar Finance and Governance Task Force. The Task Force’s primary goals are to provide input on the critical issues of financing, including potential funding sources, and governance to help ensure the system has a firm foundation for growth and success.
