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23rd
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23rd
An absolute ban on wires will force D.C. to either build an extremely expensive [streetcar] system or none at all, while unfettered use of overhead wires will indeed mar some of D.C.’s iconic and unique views along major avenues. A hybrid is the most reasonable compromise.
— David Alpert, opining on the situation of streetcars in D.C. Washington is one of those weird cities that has a lot of rules for the sake of public prettiness, so webs of overhead wires in the old L’Enfant city are prohibited. The old law could be overturned by locals, but it’s possible or even likely that Congress or public space patriots would protract a long and expensive legal battle. That said, next time you’re in the capital, look around and notice the thing that’s missing compared to other cities — wires, wires everywhere. (Also, it explains why the traffic signals are sometimes so oddly placed; there’s no way to suspend them above the street.)
