Breakfast links: Streetcar starts soon?
Streetcar in February
Safety officials say final certification for the H Street Streetcar should come this month, and that further delay is “unlikely.” The streetcar could start carrying passengers as soon as February 26. (WAMU)
Shake up at WMATA
Rob Troup, WMATA’s top engineer and deputy general manager, resigned yesterday. The WMATA Board did not call for his resignation, but Troup often had to answer for Metro’s ongoing safety and operational problems. (WAMU)
Progress for paid leave
DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson now supports the paid family leave proposal and says he would be willing to allow up to a 1% payroll tax to fund the program. Mayor Bowser remains opposed to the proposal. (Post)
Metro’s close call
Last week’s incident, where a Metro train operator ran a red light and came dangerously close to another train, occurred due to miscommunication between the train operator and a rail operations controller. Metro will now require supervisors to personally oversee unusual train redirections. (Post)
Tax relief for renters
If you rented in DC for all of 2015 and make less than $40,000, you’re likely eligible for a tax credit. DC is reimbursing more tenants for some of the property taxes they effectively pay via rent. (Post)
Don’t count on DCA
A member of Congress tried to expand National Airport’s allowed service area to 1,425 miles so that he could get direct flights home. But local representatives Norton and Comstock pushed back, citing noise pollution and already exhausted airport capacity. (Post)
A bridge to Reston
An important pedestrian bridge near Reston Town Center has finally been repaired and reopened after several months of closure. The bridge suffered weather-related damage last year. (RestonNow)