Senator Webb on Metro tragedy

June 23, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – The following is a statement from Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) on the Metro tragedy in Northeast Washington, DC on Monday evening:

“The events of Monday evening draw heightened attention to safety conditions on the Capital region’s highly-utilized Metro system. With Metrorail transporting an average of one million riders each workday, we have a responsibility to ensure that vital infrastructure upgrades and safety recommendations are implemented in an appropriate time and manner.

“I intend to work closely with my colleagues in Congress and area leaders to determine how such a disaster could have occurred and what measures must be carried out in the near-term to prevent further incidents that jeopardize passenger safety.”

Notes: On June 12, Senators Webb and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) announced a $17.7 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for safety upgrades to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Among the upgrades, funding is designated for the implementation of a track pad/shock absorber rehabilitation program; purchase and installation of emergency tunnel carts and storage cabinets; and expansion of WMATAs chemical sensor detection system.

Senators Webb, Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) have also worked collectively to ensure dedicated federal funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The successful Federal Rail Safety Improvement Act, introduced by the senators and signed into law in October 2008, provides $1.5 billion in federal funds over 10 years for capital improvements for WMATA.

Source: Senator Jim Webb