Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit Filed in Silver Spring Transit Center Dispute

With work finally complete on the embattled Paul S. Sarbanes Silver Spring Transit Center -- four years behind schedule and millions of dollars over budget – county and WMATA officials have filed $100 million-plus lawsuit against the project designers and contractors.

Montgomery County and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority on Friday filed a lawsuit seeking damages for negligence and breach of contract in the center’s construction. The center will likely open on Sept. 20, but was delayed for years because the initial construction wasn’t strong enough to meet safety standards

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which will operate the center, has set a target opening date of Sunday, Sept. 20.

According to the lawsuit, the center’s initial design by Parsons Brinckerhoff was faulty, putting the project 14 months behind schedule and increasing its cost. Once construction began, led by general contractor Foulger-Pratt Contracting, cracks and other problems appeared in the concrete, documents allege.

Beyond the problems found by inspectors, the lawsuit claims that Parsons Brinckerhoff refused to take part in, and interfered with, efforts to fix the facility.

Montgomery County is asking for a minimum of $80 million in damages from the firms it claims are responsible for mistakes and delays; WMATA is seeking about $25 million for costs. With requests for punitive damages as well as actual damages the total being sought by the governmental agencies tallies at more than $200 million.

Located adjacent to the Silver Spring Metrorail Station, the three-level multi-modal transit center was built by Montgomery County, and will provide expanded bus facilities and improved connectivity between Metrorail, Metrobus, MARC Rail, Ride On Bus, intercity buses and taxis. With multiple points of entry for pedestrians from three directions, and bike trail access, the center is also expected to improve pedestrian and vehicle flow in Downtown Silver Spring.

Last winter, The Washington Post reported the project was four years behind schedule and carries a $141 million pricetag, more than $50 million higher than initial estimates.

A memo from Montgomery County officials this summer said work is needed to strengthen beams, girders, pillars and cracked concrete for the center, News4Washington reports.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett had long pledged the county would file suit against the contractors to recoup the additional costs.

The transit center is located at 8404 Colesville Road on about half of the area formerly occupied by bus loops and short-term Metrorail parking. The Transit Center’s features include:

32 bus bays for WMATA Metrobus, Montgomery County Ride On, Van-Go shuttle, Inter-city Buses, and University of Maryland Shuttle

Direct access to Metrorail and MARC trains

22 Kiss & Ride spaces

Electronic real-time bus arrival and information displays

Multi-modal transit store (TRiPS)

In the coming weeks, Metro will complete final preparation of the facility for operations, complete training of bus operators and notify riders of the upcoming opening and associated service changes.

»Photo of Silver Spring Transit Center courtesy of Montgomery County