The DC Streetcar line – United States

In early 2016, the tramway returned to the capital of the United States with the DC Streetcar line. Since the dismantling of the previous network in 1962 there had been no tramway lines in Washington, D.C.

Launched in 2009, the 3.5km line project was awarded to SYSTRA, in collaboration with Facchina and MC Dean, by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), an agency of the District of Columbia government which manages and maintains publicly owned transportation infrastructure in Washington, D.C. The line goes in the north-west of the capital, from H Street and Benning Road to Washington Union Station, over the Hopscotch Bridge.

SYSTRA contributed to the design and build of the line, which is based on a mixed platform allowing both streetcars and vehicles to roll. This assignment was followed by the design of the Car Barn maintenance facility.

The system is owned by the DDOT, while RATP Dev USA, the US arm of the French transportation company RATP Dev, has been operating and managing the streetcar since its inception. In 2023, the line had a ridership of 721,700.

À terme, le réseau proposé par les autorités locales pourrait comprendre 8 lignes d’une longueur d’environ 60 km au total.

THE ADVANTAGES OF A TRAM NETWORK

Trams offer many advantages. A well-designed tram system makes it easier for residents to move from one area to another and stimulates economic development. Unlike buses, fixed rail lines attract long-term investment in housing, retail, and commercial property.

The DC Streetcar system’s goals are simple:

• Link neighborhoods with a modern, convenient, and attractive transportation alternative.
• Provide quality service to attract and reach new transit ridership.
• Offer a broader range of transit options for District residents.
• Reduce short inner-city auto trips, parking demand, traffic congestion, and air pollution.
• Encourage economic development and affordable housing options along streetcar corridors.