Posted on 02/27/2017 5:51:05 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao had been on the job only a few weeks when she took action on one of the region's most intractable problems and directed millions in federal transit dollars be withheld from the District, Maryland and Virginia until they create a safety agency to oversee D.C.'s subway, Metro.
Chao was making good on a threat by her predecessor, Anthony Foxx, a move that surprised some local officials who had hoped that the jurisdictions had shown enough progress to stave off the action.
It's too soon to say whether Chao's action is a sign she will continue Foxx's aggressive hands-on approach to dealing with the struggling transit agency. But, if she does, she will be continuing a long tradition of U.S. secretaries of transportation leaving their mark on the region - whether through policy or pushing important projects.
Had it not been for William Coleman, transportation secretary in the Ford administration, a key portion of Interstate 66 inside the Capital Beltway may never have been built. Many observers say Metro's Silver Line owes its existence to Mary Peters, who as secretary under George W. Bush saved it from certain death, and Ray LaHood, who kept it on track as secretary during President Barack Obama's first term. In each of these instances, a push from the nation's top transportation official moved stalled projects forward - sometimes over local objections.
Some would argue that their decisions weren't always in the best interests of the region. Others view their intervention as an unwelcome intrusion on local sovereignty. But most recognize that the District isn't a typical U.S. city, and being home to the nation's capital garners an outsized share of attention from the top levels of government.
(Excerpt) Read more at mydaytondailynews.com ...
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
What is this? Pat ourselves on the back just because some stupid award show was on last night?
wrong thread?
No, it seemed like an awards show talking about just how important Transportation Secretaries are to the every day life of normal Americans.
Without the brave Transportation Secretaries, we’d still be riding horses and blowing dust out of our noses.
I spent week in DC late 70’s. The current metro stations looked like a sci-fi movie back then.
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