Breakfast links: Greener except on the Green Line

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Breakfast links: Greener except on the Green Line

by David Alpert • April 23, 2009 8:26 am

Photo by izik.

Uncutting transit: Leggett has restored many of the Ride-On cuts. The Fairfax budget approved yesterday also restored many Fairfax Connector cuts, and Alexandria has reversed many of their bus cuts. (Post, Ben Ross)

No Metro after late Nats games?: DC officials said they didn't want to keep paying for Metro to stay open when Nationals games go late. Update: they quickly reversed course. (Post, Max D.)

Good job Cavan!: Get There recaps testimony at the Montgomery County Council hearing on increasing parking rates, and leads with quotes from our own Cavan Wilk.

FOX supports transit yesterday: FOX aired a pro-public transit public service ad for Earth Day. (Infrastructurist)

Moran introduces national bag fee: Congressman Jim Moran proposes a national 5-cent fee for carryout plastic and paper bags. The bill is very similar to DC's bill, but on a national scale, and keeps 2 of the 5 cents for debt reduction instead of environmental cleanup. (Michael P)

More for the Mall: Congress cut out funds for major repairs to the Mall in the original stimulus bill, but the Department of the Interior has allocated $7.3 million to rehabilitate important Mall landmarks, including the crumbling DC War Memorial. They'll also fix the sinking seawall at the Jefferson Memorial. (Post)

Vehicle hits man, reporter ignores driver: "A man was struck by a vehicle and fatally injured early this morning on Route 29 in Burtonsville" ... "The vehicle that hit the man did not stop and has not been found," writes Debbi Wilgoren. (Post)

Too aggressive: Aggressive driving is involved with over half of all fatal crashes, says a AAA report. (WTOP, Froggie)

UMD deletes garages: The University of Maryland has removed two parking garages from its master plan, thanks to weaker demand for parking than they previously anticipated. The deletion will save $54 million. (Diamondback, Carter)

How about zig-zags?: VDOT is trying zig-zag markings on roads approaching W&OD trail crossings. (WashCycle, Froggie)

Fenty's $4,000 bike and other facts: Bicycle Examiner looks at our Mayor's bicycling habits. Bottom line: "He seems more interested in logging miles with D.C. Velo than making DC more bike-friendly for the everyday commuter."

Shopping to housing in Germantown: A Germantown shopping center whose stores have largely closed could be replaced by as many as 112 townhouses. A 7-Eleven will remain on site, creating a very, very watered-down kind of mixed-use in the auto-dependent community. (Germantown Gazette, Dan Reed)

Not what we meant, Mendo: The Cleveland Park ANC, ANC 3C, voted to clarify that it doesn't believe the existing overlay should trump the Wisconsin Avenue Giant proposal, contrary to Phil Mendelson's argument at the last hearing. (Ward3DC)

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3 comments Share	— tags: AAA, Adrian Fenty, Alexandria, Bethesda, bicycling, bike trails, buses, carryout bag fees, Cleveland Park, Congress, DC, development, excessive parking, Fairfax, Germantown, Ike Leggett, Jim Moran, language, links, Maryland, meter rates, Montgomery, parks, Phil Mendelson, press, Ride On, road safety, service cuts, The Mall, transit, UMD, Virginia, Wisconsin Giant, WMATA

Fairfax County proposes bus route cuts (Mar 24, 2009)
Proposed Metro service cuts take more from DC (Feb 25, 2009)
Performance park our Metro garages (Feb 23, 2009)
Fairfax fills open space between strip malls with another strip mall (Jun 26, 2008)
NPS considers less traffic an "adverse effect" (Mar 31, 2008)

Comments

Clearly the cops must have an APB out for a sentient automobile. I recommend they look for 1982 Pontiac Trans Am. It could be an all black one, but I think it's much more likely a black one with a silver bottom.

by Reid on Apr 23, 2009 9:11 am

And, what's the reason why the Nationals don't help pay for the Metro to stay open late for people attending their games?

Also, the miscommunication between DC government agencies is getting to be terrible. Miscommunication between the executive and legislative bodies is rampant. It seems to be getting worse, week by week. The about face from the city on paying Metro to stay open late is a prime example. The media loves it too.

by otavio on Apr 23, 2009 12:15 pm

Thinking about it some more, Gabe Klein had the guts to make a tough decision on behalf of the city. I believe it was the right one too. He was quickly undermined by others in city government. I think it's very disheartening.

by otavio on Apr 23, 2009 1:12 pm