Breakfast links: Transportation funding
Transit funding rules change
USDOT wants to change regulations to scrap the ridiculous rules that force transit in highway medians and other “cost-saving” measures that create worse projects. Access to affordable housing and other community factors will also play a role. (Slate, BusinessWeek)
Tough road for bill
Governor O’Malley wants to introduce a transportation bill in the upcoming 90-day session, but could face strong opposition to his proposal to raise the gas tax 10 cents per gallon. (Post)
Blame placed on wear
WMATA is blaming premature wear and not human error for a friction ring falling off a Metro train last month. Now officials will try to figure out why the part wore out so quickly. (Examiner)
Metro fights union
WMATA is fighting an aribitration decision giving pay raises to its white-collar union workers and limiting its number of contractors. The agency recently lost a similar battle against the ATU. (Examiner)
Lots of money, little housing
Peaceholics squandered $4.6 million of city money on 3 housing projects as contractors took advantage of the group’s inexperience. Then the Department of Housing and Community Development spent even more on contractors who still failed to deliver. (Post)
Fix Clarendon
Arlington plans to redo the major intersection of Wilson, Clarendon, and Washington Boulevards in Clarendon, adding more sidewalk space and removing slip lanes. They’re looking for public feedback through a survey. (Miles Grant)
No BRAC here?
A new round of BRAC could spare the DC area as what bases remain are too important to the Pentagon’s mission. On the other hand, at one point the closing of Walter Reed was unthinkable. (WBJ)
And…
Mayor Gray announces 5 more HRPB nominees. (City Paper) … Arlington could soon make money off its new water treatment plant. (ARLnow) … Why do businesses keep closing in Hyattsville? (Patch) … US Park Police tase a man at OccupyDC. (Post)