Recent Posts
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What’s our bicycle “social contract”?
With the frequent calls for cyclists to “start behaving,” it’s clear that a number of people driving and walking are unsettled by the conduct of at least some people on bikes. But people in cars speed all the time, and people walking cross against the light, and neither generates as many newspaper letters to the editor. What is the difference? One explanation… Keep reading…
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Trail network emerging east of the river
DDOT recently released plans for over 16 miles of trails east of the Anacostia River that will create an extensive, highly-connected network that few areas can match. The plans cover the Oxon Run, St. Elizabeths and South Capitol Street Trails. DDOT is also working on a new 11th Street Bridge crossing, new sections of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and closing the gap in the recently… Keep reading…
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Lessons not learned: WMATA misinterprets FTA safety program and blames workers
In December, WMATA began issuing new circulars to employees called Lessons Learned. The purpose of Lessons Learned is to describe safety issues that have occurred as well as the steps being taken to prevent future occurrence. Three have been issued thus far, and GGW received copies from one of the recipients. While well-intentioned, the Lessons Learned program… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Picking leaders
Downs, Porter to WMATA Board; GM search down to 3; Terry Bellamy becomes interim head of DDOT; Biddle gaining steam; Metro operators urinating on tracks; Gray urges fight for DC congressional vote; Georgetown ANC endorses more CaBi stations; And…. Keep reading…
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What’s That? #41: The answers
Congratulations to Collier, John Curran, and Josh C. for getting all three answers to the pre-holiday What’s That? The three answers are the statue in Farragut Square, the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, and the Lockkeeper’s House. Keep reading…
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Cheh, Wells try again to fix snow fines
Mary Cheh and Tommy Wells reintroduced a bill this morning to set up fines for failing to clear sidewalks. During last year’s storms, many residents and businesses toiled to keep their sidewalks clear, but some did not. The biggest offenders were commercial properties like this parking lot or this apartment building, where one tenant told us the property owner didn’t… Keep reading…
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Riders appeal to Metro police to stop bag searches
Over 100 people packed a hearing room at WMATA headquarters last night for a Riders’ Advisory Council meeting about the random bag searches Metro instituted in December. Police representatives explained the basic facts of the program in the face of over 30 often-impassioned arguments against the program. As Bob “Dr. Gridlock” Thomson tweeted, the crowd… Keep reading…
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Could transit benefits attract zoo members?
Any avid “zoogoer” will tell you that becoming a Friend of the National Zoo (FONZ) is a no-brainer. For car owners, one perk stands out among the generous benefits: free parking. A quick cost-benefit analysis shows why drivers appreciate the free parking benefit, in particular. Up to three hours of parking in the zoo lots would cost $15 according to the recently revised… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: On MLK
No mixed-use next to St. E’s?; Other streets named MLK; Road not designed to be at all walkable; DC owed $300M in traffic tickets; Shaping the city in 2011; Signs of a new mayor; Biking faster than driving; Under the city; And…; WTOP’s best and worst: Whatever AAA says. Keep reading…
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Triumph and tragedy at Decatur House
Decatur House, located at the northwest corner of Lafayette Square, became a focal point for Washington society as soon as it was constructed for naval hero Stephen Decatur (1779-1820) in 1819. Designed for entertainment, the house has had a long career as the backdrop for both social triumph and personal tragedy. Keep reading…