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Washington Metro Area Congressional Delegation Meets with WMATA and NTSB Officials on Red Line Accident

July 8, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC - Members of Washington Metro Area's Senate and House Delegation - House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Senator Barbara A. Mikulski and Reps. Frank R. Wolf, James P. Moran, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chris Van Hollen, Donna F. Edwards and Gerald E. Connolly - met today with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) General Manager John Catoe and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Board Member Deborah Hersman for a briefing on the June 22nd Red Line accident that killed 9 people and injured nearly 80 between the Fort Totten and Takoma stations. The Members released the following joint statement:

"Today, we met with officials from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the National Transportation Safety Board to receive an update on the ongoing investigation of the deadly collision that occurred on Metro's Red Line last month.  We appreciated the thorough briefing we received outlining the progress that NTSB is making in its investigation and the actions WMATA has taken thus far to ensure passenger safety."

Metro has received approximately $10 billion in Federal funding over its history, much of which was for construction of the 106-mile system.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act enacted in February included $200 million for the system.  Last year, Congress authorized $1.5 billion in dedicated Federal funding over 10 years for capital and preventive maintenance.  The legislation required the local jurisdictions to amend the WMATA Compact to commit to providing matching funding, create an office of Inspector General, and enable the appointment of Federal representation on the WMATA Board.  In late June, the delegation introduced companion resolutions to ratify the compact amendments.

Both the House and Senate Delegations have requested $150 million in FY10 funds for capital and preventive maintenance projects for the maintenance and upkeep of Metro. 

"As America's subway, Metro serves our federal government and millions of visitors from across the country who come to our Nation's Capital each year. The federal government has a vested stake in this essential system, and we are committed to working in partnership with the local jurisdictions to ensure Metro has the resources it needs."

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