D.C. streetcar debut date slips

Streetcars in the nation’s capital won’t return until late 2013, one year later than the most recent target date, according to the District Department of Transportation. Washington, D.C. is proceeding with two initial streetcar segments, on H Street Northeast and in Anacostia, as the germination points for a citywide system of 37 miles.

“2013 is what we are telling people now," says DDOT spokesman John Lisle. "We’re probably looking at the fall of 2013.”

Among other delays, the city still must resolve the construction of a storage facility under a bridge on H Street behind Union Station, which has generated concern at Amtrak.

Scott Kubly, director of DDOT’s Progressive Transportation Services Administration, earlier this month expressed confidence that Washington would continue to lead the way in area streetcar development, noting “other parts of the region are catching on” to streetcar development. Kubly made the comments addressing the American Public Transportation Association Rail Conference in Boston.