Congressman Gerry Connolly joined his colleagues in the Washington-area congressional delegation Thursday night in voting for House passage of legislation appropriating $150 million in dedicated funding for maintenance and upkeep of the Metro system.

Connolly said this year’s funding is envisioned as the first of 10 such federal payments dedicated to Metro over the next 10 years.   He noted that Metro’s state and local partners stand ready to match the federal investment dollar for dollar over the next 10 years. 

“This new partnership will invest $300 million per year for 10 years into our aging Metro system,” Connolly said.  

“The investment could not come at a more critical time given the tragic events of June 22, which claimed nine lives and left more than 70 injured.”

Connolly said this new investment will help Metro replace the older 1000-series rail cars with modern safer cars.

“Today we move one step closer to the federal government fulfilling what I believe to be its responsibility to be a full partner in support ‘America’s subway” in the national capital region,” Connolly said.  The Metro funding, part of the House Transportation HUD Appropriations Bill, now goes to the Senate for consideration.

During a press conference Thursday with his Washington-area colleagues and Metro Board Chairman Jim Graham, Connolly praised the bipartisan support from the delegation for the Metro funding and recognized the work of his predecessor, former Congressman Tom Davis, on the issue.