Posts by Canaan Merchant — Elections Committee
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Dozens organize against allowing additional three people per acre in Reston
Fairfax wants to raise the zoning cap on how many people can live in Reston from 13 to 16 people per acre in certain areas–and some neighbors aren't happy. Keep reading…
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Gov. Hogan’s plan to widen the Beltway, I-270, and BW Parkway won’t make traffic better
History has shown that widening highways doesn't help with congestion – and in the long run actually makes traffic worse because more people are incentivized to drive. So why is Maryland's Governor Hogan spending billions on a plan that won't work? Keep reading…
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Imma let you finish Tysons, but Reston has the best plaza on the Silver Line
Though not as well known or publicized as the Tysons plaza, there are some exciting changes afoot in Reston along the Silver Line. Reston Station, the development cluster near the Reston-Wiehle East metro stop, is a transit hub and plaza greater than the sum of its parts. Keep reading…
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Virginia blames bicyclists for not wanting to ride on a highway
Virginia is planning to build a new trail while widening I-66, but their proposal would put joggers and bicyclists on the highway itself, next to speeding cars. State highway officials insist that moving the trail anywhere else would mean taking more land, pitting advocates against neighbors who don't want to lose part of their yards. But it doesn't have to be this way. Keep reading…
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Bikeshare comes to Richmond
Virginia has a new bikeshare system in its capital city of Richmond. Simply called RVA Bikeshare, the program is an ambitious start for the city. Keep reading…
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Transit projects have to make impossible guesses on ridership predictions
New York's elevated railroads brought transit to farmland and sparked development of a city. China still does this. But in the United States, today, transit projects are expected to bring massive ridership instantly or risk being shut down or criticized. Like the Purple Line. Keep reading…
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The Outer Beltway won’t help the people it’s supposed to
Calls for an Outer Beltway, or a new ring road far outside the Capital Beltway, have begun anew with the area's Transportation Planning Board agreeing to study the issue. It's still a bad idea, because a new road won't actually help any of the drivers supporters say it will. In fact, it could make things even worse. Keep reading…
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Here’s where Fairfax County is building 19 miles of new bike lanes
Fairfax County will be laying down over 19 miles of new bike lanes over the next few months, and they're going to go all over the county, from Reston to Mount Vernon. This list will show you where they'll go. Keep reading…
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Here’s how Grant and Sherman circles will become easier to bike
Bicycling and safety improvements are coming to Grant and Sherman circles in DC's Petworth neighborhood. But concerns over traffic delays during a trial this summer means that Grant Circle is won't get a protected bike lane. Keep reading…
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Happy birthday, VRE!
Summer 1992 was a big year in Virginia transportation. The VRE's Manassas Line opened for service on June 22 (sorry we missed that birthday!), and the Fredericksburg line starting running on July 20th. Keep reading…