Breakfast links: Breaking the bank
Virginia roads bill passes House
Governor McDonnell’s $4 billion roads bill passed the House and goes back to the governor for signature. Apparently McDonnell has no problem borrowing $3 billion for roads but is concerned about government’s borrowing habits when it comes to essential Metro safety work; he’s still balking at asking his fellow Republicans to restore that $150 million. (WUSA, TBD)
Where do people go late at night?
After we posted about station-specific traffic during Metro’s late night hours, WMATA planners released passenger flow data showing where people are moving about the region after midnight. (PlanItMetro)
UMD to keep Campus Drive open to cars
After pedestrianizing Campus Drive for the summer, University of Maryland officials recommended that the road be kept open to vehicle traffic, potentially increasing the Purple Line’s chances of using this central route through campus. (The Diamondback)
DC wants ownership of Southwest channel
Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced a bill in Congress to transfer ownership of the channel on the Southwest Waterfront from the Army Corps of Engineers to the District. This would allow DC to build a larger marina during the area’s redevelopment and attract more boat traffic. (Examiner)
DCA could get more long-haul flights
A new compromise in the FAA reauthorization debate could allow as many as 16 more direct flights from western US cities into Washington National Airport. (WSJ)
VRE breaks ridership record
On Wednesday, VRE broke a milestone providing more than 20,000 trips, more than double the 10,000 trips per day goal that was set when the agency was founded in 1992. (Post, mcs) (Tip: mcs)
DC relies heavily on property taxes
The District collected more than 20% of its 2010 revenue from property taxes on barely more than 100 buildings, almost all commercial office buildings. Imagine if the feds paid taxes their properties. (RPUS)
It’s Mike Barnes
The new Montgomery County rep on the WMATA Board will be former Congressman Mike Barnes. (Chevy Chase Patch) … No reporters seem to have been able to contact him in time or find relevant information beyond his biography.
And…
Don’t forget: Federal Triangle and Smithsonian stations are closed this holiday weekend starting 10pm tonight. (TBD) … Virginia could up the penalties for rolling stops to as much as $2,500 per offense. (WUSA) … The bacteria you might pick up throughout Metro are no worse than those you get from your laptop. (TBD)