Silver Springs News

For Immediate Release: 11/27/2006

Duncan, Federal, State and Local Officials Celebrate Start of Silver Spring Transit Center Project; Center to be Named for Senator Sarbanes

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan was joined today at a kick-off ceremony by Senators Paul S. Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski, Congressmen Albert Wynn and Chris Van Hollen, County Council President George Leventhal, Federal and State officials, representatives from Metro and others to celebrate the start of the long-awaited Silver Spring Transit Center. The $75 million dollar project will combine Metrorail, Metrobus, Ride On, MARC and inter-city bus service in one facility. At the celebration, Duncan announced that the Center will be named for retiring Senator Sarbanes, whose steadfast commitment brought in the Federal funds that made the project a reality.

“I applaud our Congressional delegation for their tireless advocacy in support of public transportation in general, and this project in particular,” Duncan said. “But, no one person has contributed more to the successes of our transportation system than our good friend, Senator Paul Sarbanes. Elected five times to the U.S. Senate, Paul Sarbanes is an outspoken advocate for public transit – for bringing people to their jobs, reducing air pollution, conserving fuel, and reducing congestion. Throughout his 28 years on Capitol Hill, Paul Sarbanes has helped shape and enact every major piece of transit legislation in use today. I’m proud to be a part of the naming of this future transportation hub for Silver Spring for Senator Sarbanes.”
In addition to Sarbanes, Wynn, Van Hollen and Mikulski all played a critical role in securing $53.6 million in federal support for the Silver Spring Transit Center project. “This project has been one of my top priorities for the burgeoning downtown Silver Spring area,” said Sarbanes. “Once completed, the Transit Center will not only enhance Silver Spring’s status as a major hub for public transportation, but will also provide a further boost to the efforts in revitalizing downtown Silver Spring. I also want to extend my gracious and deepest thanks to County Executive Doug Duncan and the people of Montgomery County for this recognition of my efforts for this and other transportation projects throughout the State of Maryland and our Nation.”
“Keeping Marylanders on the move has always been one of my top priorities,” said Senator Mikulski. “A strong, modern transportation and mass transit system strengthens our neighborhoods and communities, gets Marylanders to their jobs, delivers goods to the marketplace and reduces traffic on our roads and highways. That’s why I have worked with my colleagues for years to improve public transportation in Silver Spring and throughout Montgomery County.”

The new Transit Center will be built on the site of current Ride On and Metrorail bus operations – an area bordered by Colesville Road, Wayne Avenue, Ramsey Avenue and the Silver Spring Metro Station. At the event, officials participated in a groundbreaking ceremony as preparations for moving bus and taxi operations off the site began. New pedestrian and transit amenities will be built to allow access to existing bus and other services during project construction. Bus operations will be moved to on-street stops in June 2007. At that time, construction of the Transit Center will begin.
“I am proud to have worked with my colleagues in the Senate to secure over $53 million in federal funding for the Silver Spring Transit Center,” said Wynn. “The project will be an incredible example of smart growth. In addition to being a residential and commercial development, the facility will put Metrorail, Metrobus, MARC and Amtrak stations all under one roof. This will help shelter commuters from the elements on cold and warm days.”

“The Silver Spring Transit Center will serve as an essential hub in our transportation system," said Van Hollen. “I am pleased that the Maryland Congressional delegation was able to work together to make this happen.” Buses, Metrorail and taxis currently serve 57,000 patrons daily at the Silver Spring Metro. By 2020, it is estimated that 97,000 people will be served. The Transit Center will improve pedestrian circulation and safety and create a pleasant pedestrian environment including a wide promenade, green parks, plazas and customer conveniences. Traffic patterns and safety around the Center will be improved. Hiker/biker trail enhancements to the Capital Crescent and Metropolitan Branch trails are included in the design.
“The Silver Spring Transit Center will be a tremendous boost to Silver Spring, to public transportation, and to Smart Growth,” said Montgomery County Council President George L. Leventhal. “This Center has been one of the County’s highest transportation priorities, and we are very grateful to our Federal delegation for their support and success in securing the funds to make this project a reality.”

The total project area is 5.7 acres, of which 1.9 acres is owned by the County and the remainder by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). WMATA issued a joint development solicitation. Silver Spring Metro LLC has entered into a land lease with WMATA for development of the site, integrating private development into the project's design, including a 200-room hotel, two residential towers with 450 units, and 25,000 square feet of retail space. Construction of the Transit Center is expected to take about three years.
“This project will have a significant impact on the surrounding area,” said Federal Transit Administrator James Simpson. “In addition to increasing the capacity of one of the region's busiest transit hubs, the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center will stimulate new development—and that means new businesses and new jobs in this community.”

The Transit Center design features buses on two levels, accessed from Ramsey Avenue at the upper level and Colesville Road at the lower level. A third level will incorporate Metro's Kiss 'N Ride area, which will be accessed from Bonifant Avenue. Also on the third level will be a taxi stand and short term parking. Adequate space for the future Capital Crescent Trail will be provided along the north side of the existing CSX tracks. A new traffic signal will be installed on Colesville Road, also along the north side of the existing CSX tracks, for better access to the bus bays, the Metrorail station, and the Transit Center. A new traffic light is also planned for the intersection of Wayne and Dixon Avenues. The existing urban park will be reconstructed and a public plaza will be incorporated into the project.

“With nearly $14 million in State funding, Maryland is proud to be part of building this key transit hub,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Robert L. Flanagan. “The Ehrlich Administration has worked hard to move this important project forward by providing the last needed funding to get this project out of planning and into construction.”