On Saturday, November 13, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) and the District of Columbia marked a major milestone in mass transit history by breaking ground for the Anacostia Light Rail Demonstration project. The ceremony was held across from the Anacostia Metrorail station at Howard Road and Shannon Place, S.E. The passenger rail service will use the existing CSX Shepard Branch Industrial spur right-of-way. Service will extend along the east side of the Anacostia River between Bolling Air Force Base and Pennsylvania Avenue, near the John Phillip Sousa Memorial Bridge.
"The Anacostia Demonstration project provides an opportunity to showcase high-quality, transit access to an area to serve accessibility, mobility, economic development and corridor preservation needs," stated Washington, DC Mayor Anthony A. Williams. "This demonstration project will also facilitate the local and regional understanding of new passenger rail technologies and the possibilities associated with this type of transit investment in Southeast Washington."
"With today's ceremony, Metro marks another milestone moment in its remarkable history," stated Gladys W. Mack, second Vice-Chairperson of Metro's Board of Directors. "This is truly a glorious day in the history of our city and particularly the history of Anacostia. The six-stop, 2.7-mile light rail service for which we are breaking ground here today will better connect our neighborhoods on the east side of the Anacostia River."