Steve Eldridge: Election winners face challenges

What, for example, is Martin O’Malley’s commitment going to be for congestion relief for the Washington suburbs and how will the coming change in the state’s transportation administration deal with the needs in both Baltimore and Washington when it comes to transit? Will O’Malley work as hard on fighting for and completing the InterCounty Connector or does he too feel, as we mentioned in a result column, that this highway will support Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport?

Will Adrian Fenty’s administration take an active role in making transportation improvements, especially in light of the fact that his new city administrator is the former short-term head of Metro and more long-term head of the city’s transportation department? Will he push for the new rail projects and road improvements that were once Dan Tangherlini’s stated goals?

What can and will Jim Webb or George Allen do for his constituents in Northern Virginia to relieve congestion on the roads and on the subways and on the buses? Can he work with the state’s other senator across party lines to get more focus out of Richmond on the severe funding shortcomings that have plagued this region? A nice gesture, were it possible, would be to find a way to build those tunnels for the Metro trains in Tysons Corner.

The hope and prayers of all us are that something happens and it happens quickly. With all of the changes that have been made, it would be great if we, the commuting public, can actually see some benefit.

A project begins

One thing already in the works will benefit those who use Maryland Route 202. The State Highway Administration will begin a project next week to build an additional northbound lane at Campus Way South. Weather permitting, the project will be complete by spring . The hope is that this work will reduce rush hour congestion in both directions because a second left turn lane will also be added to southbound Route 202. There will be some midday lanes closures but that impact should be minimal.

For Veterans Day

A number of companies will be open for business this Friday, exchanging the day off for the Friday after Thanksgiving. Metro will be operating a normal schedule even though it’s a federal holiday. That means that Metro trains and buses will run on regular weekday schedules. It also means that parking at Metro lots will cost you as well. The trade off is a good one full service for regular fares. If you have to work on a holiday the trip might as well be a good one.