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Metro to resume bus and rail service to the Pentagon Thursday morning

Metro will reopen the Pentagon Station and Pentagon Transit Center to customers beginning with the start of bus and rail service Thursday morning.
August 4, 2021, WMATA

Uber driver who struck Advanced Towing owner pleads guilty

The former Uber driver who allegedly struck Advanced Towing owner John O’Neill last year entered a plea agreement on July 23.
Jo DeVoe, August 4, 2021, ARLnow

New bus bays debut near Ballston Metro this week

Commuters in Ballston now have access to new bus bays on Fairfax Drive, outside the entrance to the Ballston Metro station.
Jo DeVoe, August 4, 2021, ARLnoow

Pentagon Station to remain closed Wednesday after officer killed

"Yellow & Blue line trains will bypass the station," WMATA said late Tuesday. "All Metrobus service to/from Pentagon Transit Center will operate from Pentagon City."
Anna-Lysa Gayle, August 3, 2021, ABC7

Governors aim to reduce racial disparities in traffic enforcement, safety

When traffic enforcement focuses on who a driver is, rather than what they’re doing, the person behind the wheel is not only more at risk of getting a ticket, but also less likely to remain safe.
Neal Augenstein, August 3, 2021, WTOP

Metro, Capital Bikeshare team up to offer free bike rides

Metro and Capital Bikeshare have announced a joint program to offer free bike rides to eligible Metro customers.
Will Vitka, August 3, 2021, WTOP

New hurdle slows $1 trillion infrastructure bill

Senate action on a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill has slowed to a crawl as lawmakers haggle over more than 250 proposed amendments to the legislation.
Alexander Bolton, August 4, 2021, The Hill

Metro agrees to share video surveillance after standoff with safety commission

Metro has agreed to share access to its closed-circuit television system with the agency that oversees rail safety, ending a months-long standoff over security issues.
Justin George, August 3, 2021, Washington Post

Parking spaces to parklets: PARK(ing) Day is back this September

DC’s annual PARK(ing) Day, in which metered parking spaces are temporarily converted into miniature parks, is set for September 17.
Libby Solomon, August 3, 2021, GGWash

Air travel hits pandemic high

Air travel reached a pandemic high this weekend despite a surge in COVID-19 cases fueled by the highly contagious delta variant.
Karl Evers-Hillstrom, August 3, 2021, The Hill

Mount Vernon Trail widening project gets funding

The good news for users of the Mount Vernon Trail is that a proposed widening project was selected for state funding. The bad news? It will be 2026 before work even starts on the project.
Vernon Miles, Augst 2, 2021, ARLnow

Montgomery Co. to create app with real-time bus information

Montgomery County, Maryland, has been awarded a federal grant that will help develop an app that lets riders know the real-time status and occupancy of buses.
Abigail Constantino, August 2, 2021, WTOP

With only 40% of workforce reporting vaccination status, Metro prepared to step up testing

Metro said that it is prepared to ramp up coronavirus testing of its workforce if their vaccination rates do not reach more than 70%.
Abigail Constantino, August 2, 2021, WTOP

Free fares on DC Circulator extended through September

The DC Circulator will remain free through at least the end of September, per an emergency order issued by the District’s government on Monday.
Alejandro Alvarez, August 3, 2021, WTOP

Federal recreational trails program underfunded by $200M+ per year

Gas taxes on off-road recreational vehicles alone bring in three times more federal revenue than is spent building the trails themselves, a new federal study finds -- and that’s before factoring in all the money that the users of non-gas-powered vehicles save highway agencies by opting not to drive.
Kea Wilson, August 3, 2021, Streetsblog USA

Transform 66 project on schedule for 2022 completion

Driving either direction on Interstate 66 west of Interstate 495, it’s impossible to miss the work on the 22.5-mile stretch of highway.
Jared Foretek, Auguat 2, 2021, WTOP

Optimism grows that infrastructure deal will get to Biden's desk

The Senate voted to begin debate on a bipartisan infrastructure package that has yet to be turned into legislative text, and that many senators have yet to see.
Naomi Jagoda, August 1, 2021, The Hill

One dead in moped crash in Prince George's County

One person died in a single-vehicle collision in Prince George’s County on Saturday afternoon, police said.
Stephanie Lai, July 31, 2021, Washington Post

Pandemic has surreal impact on traffic

Traffic data during the time of COVID-19 must be driving transportation planners crazy.
Scott Shenk, August 1, 2021, Free Lance-Star

Pedestrian dies after being struck by car on Lorton Road

A 55-year-old Alexandria man died Saturday after being struck by a car the night before as he tried to walk across Lorton Road in Fairfax County.
August 1, 2021, Inside NoVa

Visionary highway removal program axed from fed infrastructure package

Advocates are rallying to restore a visionary highway removal program that lost virtually all of its funding during bipartisan infrastructure negotiations despite President Biden and DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s big talk that they would use the package to repair the harm done by urban highways to BIPOC communities.
Kea Wilson, August 2, 2021, Streetsblog USA

Speak up! For safe routes to school

There is legislation under consideration in Congress, and it needs our support.
July 31, 2021, FABB

Metro Board member weighs possibility of fare increase for long-distance riders

Metrorail fares for long-distance passengers may be going up in the near future.
Glynis Kazanjian, John Aaron, July 31, 2021

To meet zero emissions goal, DASH debuts new electric buses

The Alexandria Transit Company DASH is committed to transitioning to an entire fleet of zero emissions vehicles. Today they moved closer to that goal with the debut of three new battery-powered electric buses.
Kevin Dauray, July 30, 2021, Zebra

Grieving families push for legislation to prevent car rollaway incidents

Families across the country are raising safety questions involving deadly vehicle rollaway accidents that kill nearly 150 people every year.
July 30, 2021, NBC Washington

Board of Supervisors approves bus rapid transit through Tysons' core

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved a bus rapid transit (BRT) route through the heart of Tysons, despite some concerns that it might not be as “express” as hoped.
Vernon Miles, July 29, 2021, Tysons Reporter

How bipartisan infrastructure deal impacts rail, transit

The U.S. Senate has voted 67-32 to consider a nearly $1 trillion national infrastructure package, following a compromise by President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of senators on key provisions, including $39 billion for public transit and $66 billion for passenger and freight rail.
Marybeth Luczak, July 29, 2021, Railway Age

Biden administration reaches $1 trillion infrastructure deal, Senate votes to begin work

On Wednesday, a bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure deal was reached, and the U.S. Senate voted to begin working on the legislation.
Liz Carey, July 29, 2021, Transportation Today

The pandemic-era commute might be changed forever

Continued teleworking could ease traffic congestion, experts say, but only if commuters embrace mass transit.
Katherine Shaver, Justin George, July 30, 2021, Washington Post

Traffic and Parking Board expected to vote on expanding bikeshare

Members of the Traffic and Parking Board and city staff discussed long-in-the-works plans for the expansion of the Capital Bikeshare program during the TPB meeting on Monday.
Katherine Hapgood, July 29, 2021, Alexandria Times

Weekend Road and Rail: I-66 bridge demolition; closures on DC-295; Metro work on all lines

Metro is doing work on all lines this weekend.
Mary DePompa, July 30, 2021, WTOP

Eno study: U.S. rail transit projects cost more than they should

A new study from the Eno Center for Transportation, “Saving Time and Making Cents: A Blueprint for Building Transit Better,” analyzes current and historical trends “to understand the drivers behind mass transit construction, cost and delivery in the United States and abroad.”
William C. Vantuono, July 29, 2021, Railway Age

$1 million in federal emergency funds to help cover costs of collapsed D.C. bridge

Funding will reimburse cleanup costs. A bridge replacement will cost $25 million.
Luz Lazo, July 29, 2021, Washington Post

Memorial ride for Raymond Buza

We will gather on Saturday, August 7, at 10:00 am at Virginia Run Elementary School located at 15450 Martins Hundred Drive, Centreville.
July 29, 2021, FABB

Metro delays vote on proposal that would ban passengers arrested for sex offense

Board members said they want more input from jurisdictions served by Metro on the proposal.
Justin George, July 29, 2021, Washington Post

Automakers to join Biden in 40 percent electric vehicle pledge

Three major automakers will reportedly join President Biden in a promise to make 40 percent of car sales electric by 2030.
Rachel Frazin, July 29, 2021, The Hill

Shared scooters aren't always where you need them. A U-Md. researcher has a plan for that.

Researchers are trying to get the scooters to reposition themselves in more convenient locations.
Michael Laris, July 29, 2021, Washington Post

Ballston-MU bus bay closures to affect many Metrobus routes

WMATA will be temporarily closing a number of bus bays Sunday at the Ballston-MU station, which will impact multiple Metrobus routes.
July 29, 2021, Arlington Patch

School bus drivers needed: Prince George's is holding a virtual job fair to fill the gap

To help fill a severe shortage of bus drivers, Prince George’s County Public Schools is recruiting new drivers with virtual job hiring events.
July 28, 2021, ABC7

D.C. rejects proposal for free Circulator bus rides

For the second time, the D.C. Council rejected Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s proposal to keep D.C. Circulator rides free, opposing her request to subsidize a $1 fare on the six-route system.
Luz Lazo, July 29, 2021, Washington Post

Police investigating serious bike crash near Yorktown HS

Initial reports suggest the front wheel of the bike somehow came off and the cyclist flipped over the handlebars, suffering a possible head injury.
July 28, 2021, ARLnow

National 'Vision Zero' resolution introduced

As an epidemic of traffic deaths surges nationwide, Vision Zero finally is finally gaining traction in Congress.
July 28, 2021, Streetsblog USA

Would temporary bans after sex offenses make Metro safer?

Metro’s safety board gave its initial approval July 15 to a policy that would temporarily ban people charged with sex or weapons offenses on Metro property. The full Board of Directors is set to vote on the policy Thursday.
Libby Solomon, July 28, 2021, GGWash

Shared e-scooters now available in Fairfax County

Hundreds of electric scooters have started popping up around Fairfax County after the county announced last week that it had approved two vendors for its shared mobility device program.
David Taube, July 28, 2021, Reston Now

FRA issues final rule on revised PTC reporting

Effective Aug. 26, 2021, the Federal Railroad Administration is revising regulations governing changes to Positive Train Control (PTC) systems and reporting on PTC system performance.
William C. Vantuono, July 28, 2021, Railway Age

Prince George's County short more than 270 school bus drivers

Prince George's County is hosting a job fair in hopes of recruiting school bus drivers after reportedly being short more than 270 drivers shortly before the 2021-2022 school year begins.
Alanea Cremen, July 28, 2021, WUSA9

Study: America's SUV spree spurred pedestrian-death surge

According to a recent study published in Economics of Transportation, as the number of SUVs on the street tripled from 2000 to 2019, pedestrian deaths surged nationwide by 30 percent.
Christopher Robbins, July 27, 2021, Streetsblog USA

Summer advocacy roundup

This summer has been hot! Our advocacy team has been busy collaborating with partners on the ground to heat up the region with major victories and we are so excited to share these updates with you!
Jonathan Kincade, July 27, 2021, WABA

Metro switching order of announcements on railcars at request of Accessibility Committee

The new message moves the most important information, what train line and destination it is, to the front. The change will be especially helpful at stations that have multiple lines.
Jordan Pascale, July 27, 2021, dcist

How MoCo embraced e-scooters and the future of shared micromobility

While these scooters may have seemed like a temporary fad at first, policy in some places, like Montgomery County, shows these e-scooters may be here to stay.
Abby Wester, July 27, 2021, GGWash

Get police out of traffic enforcement!

The best way to ensure walkers, bikers, and bus riders have safe commutes is to fund safe infrastructure to change driver behavior, and to educate drivers on safety rules and regulations.
Jonathan Kincade, July 27, 2021, WABA

Pedestrian killed at Tysons intersection

A fatal pedestrian crash was reported late Sunday in Tysons, according to Fairfax County Police. This was the eighth pedestrian fatality in Fairfax County this year.
Emily Leayman, July 26, 2021, Vienna Patch

Nutley St. shared-use path, stream restoration in design

The Town of Vienna's two projects are in design and focus on the area of Nutley Street south of Maple Avenue.
Emily Leayman, July 26, 2021, Vienna Patch

DoD commits to looking at new helicopter noise mitigation strategies

Reducing local helicopter noise while conducting missions safely may be difficult, the Pentagon says, but the military is willing to try, according to a new report.
Jo DeVoe, July 26, 2021, ARLnow

Driver killed in Monday evening beltway crash

One person was killed in a Monday evening crash on Interstate 495 in Fairfax County.
July 27, 2021, Inside NoVa

Make telework decisions based on the job, not 'managerial preference,' OPM says

Agencies are knee-deep in planning and preparing for more federal employees to return to the office, and when it comes to telework, many are reconsidering their old ways.
Nicole Ogrysko, July 26, 2021, Federal News Network

Opening of new Potomac Yard Metro station in Alexandria delayed

The new Potomac Yard Metro station that was set to open near the sprawling Amazon headquarters development in Alexandria, Virginia, next spring will be delayed by at least five months because of design flaws in a critical safety system, Metro announced Monday.
Jack Moore, July 26, 2021, WTOP

Metro delaying new Potomac Yard station opening because of train control system

The opening of a new Metro station at Potomac Yard in Alexandria is being delayed at least five months as Metro works out issues with Automatic Train Control systems, the transit agency announced Monday.
Jordan Pascale, July 26, 2021, dcist

Woman killed walking on Interstate 495 in Alexandria on Sunday morning

A 48-year-old woman died after being struck by a vehicle while she walked in a travel lane on Interstate 495 on the early morning of Sunday, July 25.
James Cullum, July 26, 2021, ALXnow

Alleged shoplifter disappears into Metro station, but not for long

According to police, the suspect fled into the Pentagon City Metro station and entered the tracks.
July 25, 2021, Inside NoVa

Man fatally hit by car in McLean

The victim was hit at Chain Bridge Road and International Drive. Police were called shortly after 11 p.m. The circumstances around the crash were not immediately known.
July 26, 2021, NBC Washington

Americans want green school buses, but Congress sells them short

Most Americans agree it's past time to green the nation’s fleet of yellow school buses, a new survey finds — but Congress keeps whittling down funding for this common-sense, bipartisan priority.
Kea Wilson, July 26, 2021, Streetsblog USA

Holmes Run Bike & Pedestrian Trail Restoration Project community meeting

Hey, Alexandria-area riders, the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities and the Department of Project Implementation will host an in-person community meeting on the Holmes Run Bike & Pedestrian Trail Restoration Project on July 28 at 6:30 pm at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center (located at 4653 Taney Ave).
July 25, 2021, FABB

$60,000 grant will help Arlington install it's first-ever speed cameras

This week the D.C. region’s Transportation Planning Board announced it is awarding a $60,000 grant to help Arlington with its plans to install the first-ever speed cameras in the county.
Tom Roussey, July 23, 2021, ABC7

D.C. streateries to stay put through February, with permanent program on the way

The District Department of Transportation announced Friday that the program will run until Feb. 28.
Christian Zapata, July 23, 2021, dcist

Planning a return to the office? The D.C. area's transit systems want to get you there.

Bus and train service is returning to normal. Some systems are adding routes, reducing or eliminating fares, and rolling out new amenities to get riders back.
Luz Lazo, July 24, 2021, Washington Post

Construction to temporarily close streets around Lafayette Park

Pedestrians and cyclists may encounter some road closures and detours on streets near the White House starting Monday.
Abigail Constantino, July 23, 2021, WTOP

E-scooters will soon be available to ride in Fairfax Co.

E-scooters will soon be available to ride in Fairfax County, Virginia, for the first time, the county announced Friday.
Julie Gallagher, July 23, 2021, WTOP

Car-sharing company Getaround to pay D.C. nearly $1M over alleged misrepresentation of services

D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine’s office has reached a settlement with car-sharing company Getaround, claiming the company allegedly misrepresented the safety of its services, operated without a license in D.C., and failed to pay local sales tax.
Christian Zapata, July 23, 2021, dcist

GM recalling nearly 70,000 Bolt cars over fire risk from batteries

The automaker said it will recall 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs to “address the risk of battery fires” in the vehicles.
Jordan Williams, July 23, 2021, The Hill

FTA finds more Americans riding public transportation

According to the FTA, transit ridership is up more than 80 percent over early 2020 levels.
Liz Carey, July 23, 2021, Transportation Today

County to remove barriers on S. Carlin Springs Rd. this weekend

Since March, these barriers -- closing off the northbound right travel lane from 8th Place S. to 5th Road S. -- have been up to give more room to kids walking to their neighborhood schools.
Dana Munro, July 23, 2021, ARLnow

Traffic-calming changes coming to McLean roads

Traffic-calming measures soon will be coming, and one will be removed, on a pair of McLean streets.
July 23, 2921, Inside NoVa

Pedestrian dies after driver strikes him in Laurel

A man is dead after a driver struck him early Friday in Laurel, Maryland, closing Baltimore Avenue for 2 1/2 hours.
Anna Gawel, July 23, 2021, WTOP

Study: Bike Share saves the U.S. $36M public health dollars every year

The long-term health benefits of using bike share vastly outweigh the short-term risks, even in the most polluted and car-dominated U.S. cities, a new study finds -- and cities who invest in reducing those risks by loosening car dominance can save even more lives and millions in precious public health dollars.
Kea Wilson, July 23, 2021, Streetsblog USA

MCDOT will offer free bus rides for seniors, persons with disabilities

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will enact a long-term ‘Ride Free Program’ for seniors and persons with disabilities.
Sarah Dilworth, July 21, 2021, mymcm

Two drivers die in separate crashes in Maryland

Two drivers died after separate crashes in Maryland — one in Prince George’s County and the other in Montgomery County.
Dana Hedgpeth, July 23, 2021, Washington Post

As infrastructure debate lingers, $34 million and a new sidewalk are bringing life to a small Virginia town

In the heart of Virginia’s wine country, Hillsboro was transformed into a walkable town during the pandemic.
Luz Lazo, July 23, 2021, Washington Post

Alexandria to offer free bus rides as post-pandemic commuting approaches [video]

Should trains and buses be free as a way to get riders back post-pandemic? One local agency is taking the step to do just that.
July 22, 2021, NBC Washington

Prince George's Co. faces bus driver shortage, encourages drivers to apply

Like many local school systems, Maryland’s Prince George’s County Public Schools is facing a bus driver shortage -- and just weeks before the school year starts.
Kyle Cooper, July 22, 2021, WTOP