Design and Construction Errors Render New D.C. Area Transit Center Unusable

"A series of design and construction failures — including inadequate concrete strength and a lack of reinforcing steel — have left the Silver Spring Transit Center unsafe and unusable without major repairs," reports Bill Turque. Those findings were the conclusion of a long-awaited consultants’ report [PDF] on the facility presented to the Montgomery County Council this week.

"The problems go far beyond what was previously known and will keep the opening of the $112 million bus-and-train hub, already two years behind schedule, on hold indefinitely. Officials could not say how much it would cost to fix the issues or who would be liable."

"The findings are an embarrassing setback for the county in its efforts to transform Silver Spring into a genuine urban center, one less dependent on automobiles," adds Turque. "The concrete structure at Colesville Road and Wayne Avenue, formally known as the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center, is envisioned as a central hub for buses, Metrorail, MARC trains, cabs and bikes."