Posts from July 2018
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New Google Earth images show the latest changes in the Washington region
This week, Google Earth added new aerial images of the Washington region from April 30 of this year. These images provide an updated view of some of the region’s latest infrastructure projects. Keep reading…
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How Prince George’s County was divided and named in colonial times and after independence
In May, I wrote a pair of articles on the difficulties in naming regions of Prince George’s County. This time, I’m going to go all the way back to colonial Maryland to dive into how regions of the county were divided up and named in the past. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Metro’s largest union asks for worker-friendly concessions
Metro's largest union has sent letters asking for changes to a variety of policies impacting workers. The Silver Line's problem concrete might not be such a problem after all. Lyft has introduced discounts for people taking bikes and scooters, especially if they're connecting to a transit hub. Keep reading…
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Metro Reasons: New 7000-series railcar deliveries are on hold
A “workmanship deficiency” has caused Metro to halt deliveries of new 7000-series railcars until the issue is resolved, according to the agency. Metro received its last car just over two months ago, and additional checks and work need to be done before deliveries pick up again. Keep reading…
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DC councilmembers are exempt from some parking regulations. That doesn’t mean they should flout the rules.
DC’s parking immunity law for councilmembers is back in the news again, thanks to Ward 2 Councilmember and Metro Board Chair Jack Evans telling a concerned citizen on Saturday that “if I park illegally, that opens up a spot for you.” It’s not the first time that Evans has made headlines for flouting parking rules. Keep reading…
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A tale of two 20003s: high rises or high rents
The near southeast quadrant of the District, from the Capitol dome down to the banks of the Anacostia river, has one ZIP code split in half by I-695, better known as the Southeast Freeway. Although these two areas look incredibly different at first glance, upon closer inspection they form a curious natural experiment. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: What brought Metro to the brink of a strike?
Metro's largest union is facing off with WMATA leadership over spending and safety. Tuesday's rainstorm flooded the GW Parkway and Metro stations. Ellicott City is now reopening its Main Street after massive flooding a few months ago, but repairs continue. Keep reading…
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Racing cars though our neighborhoods — a supreme endorsement?
Julie O'Brien describes Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, her “carpool dad” neighbor, as regularly “racing” his vehicle through DC and Maryland “just to catch the last 15 minutes” of his daughters' sporting and religious activities. The fact that she sees herself as conferring a badge of honor rather than issuing a warning of recklessness is worth pondering. Keep reading…
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What lies beneath DC? A lot more tunnels than you might think!
Have you ever wondered what’s under your feet in the District? Everyone who rides Metro regularly has some sense of where the subway tunnels in the region are, but may not know that DC also has a number of former streetcar tunnels, currently-used railway tunnels, and a collection of road tunnels as well. Keep reading…
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Georgetown gets a new K/Water Street bikeway, but also complaints
Along the industrial road underneath the Whitehurst Freeway in Georgetown known as K Street or Water Street, DC's newest protected bikeway has been under construction. But some are saying it's causing too many traffic backups. Is there a problem requiring changes, or is this something that will work itself out over time? Keep reading…