Construction is starting! DDOT is now physically laying tracks for the Anacostia streetcar. The years of false starts and frustration are finally giving way to actual progress.

Construction of tracks on South Capitol Street and Firth Sterling Avenue is expected continue at the rate of about two weeks per block, and to last through December. After that will come construction of the second phase of track along MLK Avenue, and installation of overhead catenary wire and stations. Eventually (who knows when), the streetcar vehicles themselves will be shipped over from Europe. River East blog Barry Farm (Re)Mixed has some photos of construction.

The anticipated opening of the entire Anacostia line remains Autumn 2012, but DDOT chief Gabe Klein says the initial segment may open before then.

For those keeping score at home, it finally appears a sure thing that Anacostia will be home to the DC region’s first modern streetcar. At one time Arlington’s Columbia Pike streetcar seemed closer to reality, but its funding source disappeared in 2008, slowing things down dramatically.

One of DC’s Inekon Trio streetcars on a test run in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Picture from Foto Doprava.