Speak out

• 250 beams in the yet-to-be-opened Silver Spring Transit Center need strengthening

• The SSTC is cracked throughout before a single bus or car has used it

• The SSTC leaks

• Some SSTC concrete doesn't meet minimum strength requirements (too much water, improper cold weather curing, etc.)

• Post-tensioning forces were applied to the SSTC that exceeded those specified in the construction documents

• Some slabs in the SSTC are an inch or more thinner than 10 inches thick called for in construction documents

• There is exposed reinforcement in the SSTC

• Some reinforcement in the SSTC is missing entirely

• Concrete inspection and testing for the SSTC failed to meet contract requirements

• The 580 ft. by 315 ft. SSTC doesn't have expansion joints

• Some SSTC beams, as designed, are incapable of taking design loads

• Design for the SSTC failed to meet contract requirements (e.g. failure to incorporate WMATA requirements, as required by the contract documents)

Have you ever heard of such a thing? I haven't.

Would you accept a brand new car, that you paid retail for, with a frame that had to be strengthened before you drove it a single mile? I wouldn't.

Why would you accept a brand new transit center, that you paid retail for with your federal taxes, with all of these flaws? I wouldn't. You will, if Montgomery County has its way. Do something about it. Speak out.