Washington DC
Streetsblog Basics
Will Maryland Gov-Elect Larry Hogan Kill the Red and Purple Lines?
Seeing shovel-ready transit projects destroyed by petty politics has been all too common the last few years (see: Scott Walker and Wisconsin high-speed rail, or Chris Christie and the ARC tunnel). Even so, this one's a doozy.
January 7, 2015
Decades in the Works, D.C.’s Silver Line Opens to Commuters
Half a century ago, when Dulles International Airport was constructed in the farmlands of Virginia, planners were forming a blueprint for the Washington region’s new Metro system. Back then, they ruled out the idea of stretching the rail line 30 miles beyond the capital through rural counties to connect with the airport. Such a line would serve no purpose for commuters, they said, and would do nothing to help congestion.
July 28, 2014
“Every Street’s Going to Prioritize Pedestrians”: MoveDC’s Lovely Fine Print
Livable streets advocates all over the country are buzzing about DC’s far-sighted new transportation plan, called MoveDC. So yesterday Streetsblog sat down with some of the people responsible for writing and implementing the plan. I spoke to Matt Brown, the District Department of Transportation's new acting director; Colleen Hawkinson, strategic planning branch manager at DDOT’s Policy, Planning and Sustainability Administration (PPSA); and Sam Zimbabwe, associate director of the PPSA.
June 4, 2014
Will Bill Bratton Make an Anti-Speeding PSA Like This?
A new anti-speeding PSA from DC police chief Cathy Lanier could be a good model for once and future NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton. Speeding is the leading cause of fatal crashes in New York City, and DC provides a model -- starting with a video like this one.
December 20, 2013
Check Out the Reaction to Bike-Share Installation Once the Novelty Is Gone
With NYC's bike-share system in the delicate period where new stations are going in but people can't yet use the bikes, the city's press corps is gorging on stories about conflict. The reporters at the Post and CBS2 better enjoy it while it lasts, because once people get used to seeing bike-share in action, these stations are going to be about as newsworthy as bus shelters.
May 2, 2013
While PBA Obstructs Speed Cams, DC Police Union Shows Support
Although maintaining that cameras "are never going to be a replacement for officers," a prominent police union official told Streetsblog that he strongly supports automated enforcement. "People drive in this town with impunity," he said. "I'll take any help we can get at this point to try and reign in some of the problems."
April 18, 2013
AAA Still Up to Its Old Tricks Fighting Progressive Transport Policy
A representative of the American Automobile Association was a keynote speaker at this week's National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C., the annual gathering of bicycle advocates. There the organization debuted a heartwarming new video reminding drivers to share the road with cyclists.
March 6, 2013
D.C. Planning Chief Urges New York City to Scrap Parking Minimums
Yesterday, the Department of City Planning asked experts from around the country how to make a more sustainable zoning code. Their response? Scrap parking minimums.
November 16, 2011
What If Washington Never Built Metro?
Rail~Volution 2011 marks the first time since 2002 that this conference for all things transit and smart growth has taken place in the nation’s capital. When it comes to livability, Washington and neighboring Arlington County have some great stories to share with the rest of the country.
October 17, 2011
TTI: Mass Transit Saved Drivers 45.4 Million Hours Last Year
Last year, the D.C. region ran away with the dubious honor of Most Congested Metro Area. D.C. area drivers wasted 74 hours and 37 gallons of fuel sitting in traffic last year, which would have cost about $100 over the course of the year. But the gasoline cost is just the tip of the iceberg.
September 27, 2011