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THE DISTRICT

Foggy Bottom Metro Needs a Canopy

On Thursday night at the Foggy Bottom Metro station, long lines formed at the elevator and escalators. Two of the three escalators were not working, and a repair crew was on hand. This happens frequently at this station, and I wondered whether it might be due, at least in part, to the escalators' constant exposure to the elements.

I asked the WMATA repair supervisor at the scene whether he thought that having one of the canopies that can be found at other stations would result in not only much better service but also in significant savings in repair work. He replied strongly in the affirmative.

The Foggy Bottom Station is one of the busiest in the system. We all know that Metro is having problems making ends meet. But wouldn't covering this entrance contribute toward its goal of reducing operating costs, even after considering the cost of the canopy?

-- John Barnett, Washington