Posts by Dan Malouff — Editorial Board
-
BRT might be cheap to build, but it’s cheaper to destroy
Planners often promote Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as cheap to build and more flexible than rail transit. But that flexibility also makes it even cheaper to dismantle. A stroke of the pen can completely destroy a BRT line. Even the highest quality BRT systems run in lanes that could just as easily serve regular drivers. All it takes is one government decision to allow private cars on… Keep reading…
-
Close 13th Street all day next July 4th
The National Mall is a great place to watch DC’s July 4th fireworks celebration. But it’s also such a tremendous hassle that many Washingtonians prefer to watch from more local neighborhood spots. A street festival on 13th Street, NW would instantly become the prime non-Mall celebration. Keep reading…
-
Federal transportation bill clings to the status quo
Congress passed a major transportation bill last week, authorizing more than $100 billion in spending for highways, transit, and other modes over the next 2 years. The bill changes a number of rules and shifts the ways in which money is distributed, in an effort to preserve highway funding. The bill generally maintains the status quo of federal transportation spending,… Keep reading…
-
TIGER grant funds Anacostia trail extension
DC was awarded a federal grant today, for $10 million to extend the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail into Maryland. The grant will cover construction for the segment shown as a pink dashed line on this map: Keep reading…
-
Coming soon: Less bus bunching, more MetroExtra
On June 17, Metro will roll out its biggest set of enhancements to bus service in years. It will expand the limited-stop MetroExtra service, add capacity to the most crowded routes, and adjust schedules to reduce bus bunching. These changes will significantly improve service for many riders. The most visible change will be that the Metrobus Express brand will disappear, replaced… Keep reading…
-
Half-hour Metro headways are not acceptable
Last weekend WMATA ran trains 30 minutes apart along the entire Orange Line. Although some reduction in service was necessary due to single tracking between Eastern Market and Cheverly, such extremely infrequent trains along the rest of the line was unnecessary and was a disservice to Metro’s customers. Metro’s job is not merely to run trains. It’s to serve… Keep reading…
-
New designs will improve the National Mall
The National Mall is not a perfect space. Although millions of people visit it each year, many sections are oversized and underused. It’s poorly integrated with the surrounding city, and its aging components need maintenance. What can be done? No one would propose demolishing the Mall, or seriously changing its basic character, but clearly there is room for improvement. Keep reading…
-
Walmart’s 6 DC stores: Some will be urban, some won’t
When Walmart announced it would open 6 stores in DC, many wondered whether the stores would use urban or suburban layouts. With the plans for all the stores finally available, now we know. 3 of the 6 stores will be unquestionably urban. 1 will be a hybrid with some urban characteristics. 2 will be almost completely suburban. Gonzaga: The closest store to downtown is suitably… Keep reading…
-
Tour the White House with Google Street View
Want to tour the White House, but can’t score an entry pass? Google’s Street View tool now includes the building’s interior. Keep reading…
-
Map of Washington’s closed and enclosed malls, version 2
The map of enclosed malls that I posted last week provoked a strong discussion in the comments. Readers made a number of useful suggestions, which I incorporated into this second draft. Keep reading…