Breakfast links: Can Metro work with others?
How can streetcars interoperate?
WMATA will study ways to best connect with light rail and streetcar projects throughout the region. Though the focus will be on DC’s streetcars and the Purple Line, the study will also look at speculative projects in Virginia and upper Montgomery County. (Dr. Gridlock)
Relations between police union, Metro sour
Metro Transit Police’s union voted to oust Chief Michael Taborn in mid-January, exacerbating rapidly souring relations between the union and WMATA. After months of negotiations, the union has filed suit alleging various violations. (Examiner)
Metro stuck between rock, hard place
While WMATA has trouble policing itself when it comes to escalator maintenance and performance as well as public records access and responsiveness, they haven’t made particularly good decisions when outsourcing work, either. (Unsuck DC Metro, Dr. Gridlock, WAMU)
Maryland senators propose gas tax hikes
Two Maryland state senators want to add a 4% sales tax to gas for transportation, with ¼ of that specifically for the Purple Line and Baltimore’s Red Line. Another senator proposed a flat 10¢/gallon hike in the state’s current tax. (Examiner, Froggie) (Tip: Froggie)
Norton wants elected DC DA
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton has introduced a bill to allow Washingtonians to elect a District Attorney. Currently, the federal US Attorney’s office handles almost all local prosecution. (WUSA)
South PG has most growth
The southern part of Prince George’s County absorbed the most population growth from 2000 to 2010, according to new Census numbers. While the county grew 8%, several southern communities grew by as much as 25%. (Gazette)
Amtrak ridership keeps growing
For the 15th month in a row, Amtrak ridership has grown, and set a new January record at 2.1 million passengers. (Dr. Gridlock)
Long-awaited projects move forward
Canal Park in Near Southeast will actually break ground next week after the official ground breaking 6 months ago. (DCmud) … The CityMarket at O project will also begin work on the historic O Street Market building later this month. (TBD)
And…
Development heats up on lower Barracks Row; will linking retail streets under a freeway succeed? (JDLand) … Bus riders aren’t the only commuters losing parking spaces at Potomac Mills. (WTOP) … Tesla Motors has opened a showroom in DC. (Dr. Gridlock)