Md., Va., D.C. Back Metro Oversight Group

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Officials in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia say they will withhold Metro infrastructure funding if the transit agency doesn't resolve concerns raised by the group that oversees safety in the system. 

The step gives a measure of power to the Tri-State Oversight Committee that was nearly unknown before the fatal 2009 crash on Metro's red line. Before this agreement, the committee did not have any way to force Metro to comply with its safety recommendations. 

Chairman Matthew Bassett says the move is important, but he hopes the power never has to be used. 

Metro's board is scheduled to review the agreement this week but Bassett says the board does not have the power to change the funding component.

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