Jim Graham, in a picture from his website.

In 2002 DDOT went through a transit development study that resulted in the decision to build a streetcar in Anacostia. They anticipated opening for revenue service in late 2006.

In April of 2008, after a longer-than-expected planning process, DDOT solicited a construction bid for the project and began to get ready to finally put tracks in the ground.

In July of 2008, DC Councilman Jim Graham took an interest in the streetcar program and stalled progress to ask DDOT some legitimate but six-years-past-due questions about why the Anacostia corridor was selected, and if a better alignment were possible.

About a week ago, DDOT announced it would shift the alignment of the Anacostia line to more directly serve the walkable, densely populated neighborhood core. To do so DDOT shifted a pot of money from its capital construction budget to pay for the longer, more complicated new streetcar alignment.

Now, as GGW reports, late-to-the-party Graham and Council Chairman Vincent Gray have filed a resolution to disapprove the transfer of funds, pending another informational meeting with DDOT that is scheduled for November 7.

Graham says he is in favor of the streetcar and just wants a little oversight, but this is the second time he’s obstructed DDOT with questions DDOT thought were answered years ago. At this point we think it’s fair to ask Graham just what he’s doing, and demand that he allow the streetcar project move forward.