[PRCo] Re: Overbrook Line Dedication

[James B. Holland]

Were ceremonies at South Hills Village, Castle Shannon, or elsewhere?

Edward H. Lybarger wrote:

>I am pleased to report that the Overbrook Line has been officially
>dedicated.  Ceremonies began about 10:30 (a half-hour late) and consisted of
>the usual speeches about how well politicians work together to speed
>projects like this to benefit the people.  Paul Skoutelas was a wonderful
>emcee...he's a great speaker and is skilled at getting the best out of
>co-workers, whether they be Port Authority employees or politicians or
>vendors or bureaucrats.
>
>The FTA administrator brought along a check for $5+ million for the North
>Shore Connector project...a surprise to Paul.  She also spoke in glowing
>terms about the present administration in Washington, and about how
>committed they were to transit.  The Pennsylvania Secretary of
>Transportation brought nothing but words.  In fairness, he didn't exactly
>take credit for the project, either, which was especially nice since he was
>a key player in suppressing it for about a decade while he worked at Port
>Authority.  A few of the local politicians are not scholars of the English
>language...I wish I had had a notebook to record some of the malapropisms.
>And the Authority's Board Chairman pronounced the name of the city
>"Picksburg."  They all spoke of how Pittsburgh was a growing, vibrant place,
>including the Mayor, who is essentially being shown the door politically
>over his mismanagement of city finances and the possible municipal
>bankruptcy.
>
>But all the BS aside, it was a very nice affair that reflected a genuine
>sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.  Bill Millar acknowledged Harold
>Geissenheimer (in the audience) as a great teacher, and spoke of others he
>had worked with at the Authority during his days as Executive Director.  His
>was also a very positive talk on the importance of transit and the high per
>capita usage in Pittsburgh.
>
>The speeches done, attendees were invited to board the two two-car trains to
>ride the new line. For those interested in such things, the first train
>consisted of cars 4303 and 4304 (I was on it and don't know the car numbers
>in the second train...but they have only five CAF cars on the property!)
>The infrastructure is impressive, the roadbed smooth and the cars basically
>comfortable.  No 50-MPH ride ensued, however, as the train kept stopping at
>unscheduled points along the line for unapparent reasons.  Also, workmen
>were still out alongside, so full speed would not have been appropriate
>today.
>
>On arrival at Steel Plaza, some folks went back on the next train, while
>others of us ventured across the street to the William Penn Hotel for the
>"free" lunch spoken of with such reverence in yesterday's column.  We
>learned that the banquet chicken was provided by the vendors, not the
>Authority, but the taxpayers are still to be thanked because the cost most
>assuredly was included in those low bids.  Lunch was quite good, and brief
>remarks followed by several of the vendors.  Bill Millar first presented
>Paul Skoutelas with a plaque from APTA in recognition of the event.  Others
>spoke on how nice it was to have done business with Port Authority.
>
>Revenue service begins tomorrow and there will be free rides all day Sunday
>(38-minute headway) on the Library Line only (renumbered back to 47L).
>
>Ed
>