Photo by rpmaxwell on Flickr.

Snow highlights city/suburb difference

Many urban residents in DC and Silver Spring seemed to be taking last night’s snow storm in stride.  Meanwhile, suburbanites fleeing the city along the handful of major commuter routes found themselves stuck for as many as 13 hours. (TBD)  

Buses not spared from wintry mess

While many buses were fine on streets that were clear of traffic that they normally fight in the early evening, others suffered the same fate as other drivers in the region. Metrobus discontinued service at 9:30 last night. (TBD)  

Why H Street isn’t developing faster

A lot of H Street property owners are waiting to build or sell based on expectations the property will continue to appreciate. That hesitation is itself delaying the corridor’s evolution. (Housing Complex)  

Half-busy day for WMATA Board

Today the WMATA Board is expected to officially name Richard Sarles as the permanent General Manager and CEO and elect Catherine Hudgins as Board Chair. (WAMU) … The Safety and Security Committee meeting, which was going to discuss the costs last year’s collision in the Falls Church rail yard and criticism of the agency’s random search policy, was canceled due to snow.  

Bag search feedback mixed

Metro says its received about the same number of supportive comments, mostly from passengers searched, as it has from customers who oppose the random bag search policy.  But that doesn’t count all the riders who opposed the policy at a RAC meeting on the topic. (Examiner)  

O’Malley to use transportation fund to cut deficit

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley wants to take $100 million from the state transportation trust fund to help reduce the state’s $1.4 billion deficit.  Very few people are happy. (Examiner)  

Mendelson calls for better traffic enforcement

DC Council member Phil Mendelson wants the city to improve its enforcement of traffic laws in the interest of better protecting pedestrians and cyclists. He will be holding a hearing on traffic safety on February 4th. (WAMU, WashCycle)  

NYPD cracks down on cyclists

The NYPD has been “cracking down” on traffic violations by cyclists, issuing more than 1000 citations over the last several weeks. The press has cheered this on while ignoring the more severe consequences of many vehicular misbehaviors. Two Staten Island City Councilmembers also want bike lanes to be subject to environmental review, though other parking and lane changes aren’t. Experts say that’s dumb. (Gothamist, Streetsblog)  

And…

Painted zig-zags on several roads in Fairfax have had an appreciable effect slowing down drivers near trail crossings. (Examiner) … HUD financing is the only thing holding back construction on the O Street market on 7th St. NW. (DC Metrocentric, Ward 1 Guy) … New York City is talking congestion pricing again. (Transportation Nation)  (Tip: Ward 1 Guy)