Silver Spring Transit Center delayed indefinitely.

[WMAveteran]

On January 14, 2012, THE WASHINGTON POST reported "The structural issues that have slowed construction of a massive new transit hub in Silver Spring are more serious than Montgomery County (MD) officials suspected,."  Earlier this week County Executive Isiah Leggett said that the "county expected the cost of the project to reach $101 million."  The facility's structural integrity is "out of compliance of the WMATA standards" and "It is not even in compliance with industry standards."  "Officials now say that they don't know when they will be able to open the facility, which is to bring Metro, MARC, Ride On, taxis and intercity buses to a single site in Silver Spring's revitalized downtown." 

[WayneNYC]

That is very disappointing for such an important project  For me the completion of the SSTC is up there with the ICC.  I hope they can get this straightened out sooner than later. 

[79MetroExtraMD]

Why can't this state ever get anything done on time? It looks almost finished but so far behind schedule. It's been a headache for anyone who commutes through that area including myself and who knows (2013-2014) when it'll open.

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

great, just when it seemed like it was about to be completed soon. it's kinda surprising how the ICC was completed last year even though the construction started after the old SSTC closed

[OrionFlyer]

I hope all these issues are straighten out soon. Been looking forward to this for a long time.

[Tritransit Area]

They just realized this NOW?!  After spending how many months and how much money building this thing?!  I'll spare you guys a rant at how irresponsible whoever planned this facility is, the huge convenience it is to riders having to make their way from the train station to buses, not to mention between buses, and more.  I mean, who the heck did they hire to engineer this thing? What were their credentials, if the structure wasn't even built to industry standards?!

I just hope they still keep this project as a top priority for the region, because we are far past the point of no return.  The whole "indefinite opening" is really disconcerting... I feel bad for any of the inter-modal users at Silver Spring. I know from personal experience that the walk between the station to the Ride-On bus stop definitely isn't an easy one if you aren't used to walking up those steep hills.

[WayneNYC]

They just realized this NOW?!  After spending how many months and how much money building this thing?!  I'll spare you guys a rant at how irresponsible whoever planned this facility is, the huge convenience it is to riders having to make their way from the train station to buses, not to mention between buses, and more.  I mean, who the heck did they hire to engineer this thing? What were their credentials, if the structure wasn't even built to industry standards?!

I just hope they still keep this project as a top priority for the region, because we are far past the point of no return.  The whole "indefinite opening" is really disconcerting... I feel bad for any of the inter-modal users at Silver Spring. I know from personal experience that the walk between the station to the Ride-On bus stop definitely isn't an easy one if you aren't used to walking up those steep hills.

You're right.  My feeling is that the powers-that-be can't simply abandon this project.  If anything, Silver Spring is getting busier and things cannot stay the way they are for an extended amount of time. 

[SchuminWeb]

Here's the link to the full article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/silver-spring-transit-center-delayed-indefinitely/2012/01/13/gIQAvBmNxP_story.html

Seems that improperly poured concrete is likely the culprit.

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

well...better they find out now than something fatal happening when it's already opened, like buses falling through and killing dozens of people during rush hour.

[SchuminWeb]

True that.  By the way, does anyone recall what the usage pattern for this new multilevel transit center is/was planned to be?  I wouldn't think that the buses would go on anything higher than ground level, but I reserve the right to be mistaken in that impression.

[79MetroExtraMD]

True that.  By the way, does anyone recall what the usage pattern for this new multilevel transit center is/was planned to be?  I wouldn't think that the buses would go on anything higher than ground level, but I reserve the right to be mistaken in that impression.

I do recall that the very top level is supposed to be for taxis and kiss and ride. The second level might be for Ride-On and some Metrobuses heading north and east and the ground level might be for Metrobuses heading south and west, but nothing was set in stone. I just remember the schematics for the TC.

[Sand Box John]

SchuminWeb
True that.  By the way, does anyone recall what the usage pattern for this new multilevel transit center is/was planned to be?  I wouldn't think that the buses would go on anything higher than ground level, but I reserve the right to be mistaken in that impression.

The reasoning behind the design is to increase the capacity at the facility in the existing small foot print. The old facility was terraced and didn't have enough bus bays close enough to station to serve all the routes. The new one is stacked and has more bus bays .

[Super G]

Someone told me that it was going to have many levels (similar to , but not as many as transit center in NYC next to the Lincoln Tunnel) and it will be tall enough for patrons to walk directly from a level of the transit center to the platform of the rail, but this person has given me incorrect information in the past. I am aware of the tracks between  the existing station and the proposed transit system.

[Sand Box John]

Super G
Someone told me that it was going to have many levels (similar to , but not as many as transit center in NYC next to the Lincoln Tunnel) and it will be tall enough for patrons to walk directly from a level of the transit center to the platform of the rail, but this person has given me incorrect information in the past. I am aware of the tracks between  the existing station and the proposed transit system.

You are correct in not believing him. Passengers will have to ascend or descend from the various levels to get to the entrances that lead to the metrorail and MARC platforms.     






Upper level


Middle level


Lower level

[WayneNYC]

Someone told me that it was going to have many levels (similar to , but not as many as transit center in NYC next to the Lincoln Tunnel)

Keep in mind that while the Port Authority Bus Terminal is a massive transportation hub, it does not house any New York City Transit Authority services.  Plenty of NYCTA routes stop outside of the terminal (and well as nearby subway lines).  However, all services entering the terminal are non-NYCTA.  The PABT is used mostly by dozens of NJTransit local & suburban express routes, along with several intercity carriers such as Greyhound, Peter Pan, Adirondack Trailways and so on.