Posts about Maryland
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Breakfast links: Mo’ train money, mo’ problems edition
Federal bread crumbs for a third VRE track: Virginia will spend $13 million to add a third track for VRE trains south of Fredericksburg to reduce delays from freight trains. In a big change for the feds, they are contributing; previously rail projects got no federal money. But they’re only kicking in $2 million of the $13 million total, as part of a mere $30 million for rail across… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Paved paradise edition
AP covers parking minimums: This Associated Press article summarizes the debate over relaxing parking minimums. The article quotes Jeff Speck, who testified in favor of relaxing minumums, and Capitol Hill ANC Commissioner Ken Jarboe, who testified against. It also gives an example of a historic Milwaukee building which burned down and couldn’t redevelop until the city… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Boston to Baltimore to Bloomingdale, oh my! edition
Close a road, reduce delays? We know that reducing lanes for cars can improve pedestrian safety, help a neighborhood, and lead to less traffic in the long run. But even Level of Service-minded traffic engineers can get behind closing certain roads. As the Economist reports, researchers studied Boston’s road network and determined that too many alternatives create more delay… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Baby steps from car dependence edition
Have you signed the pledge yet? Car-Free Day is Monday, September 22. Take the car-free challenge and head over to DC’s celebration between 11 and 3 at 7th and F for “live music, yoga classes, free t-shirts and giveaways, Segway demonstrations”, valet bike parking, free bike tune-ups, and test rides on SmartBikes. If not for me or for the environment, do it for Tommy. Keep reading…
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Sign the Purple Line petition
Purple Line backers just launched a petition to Maryland state officials to approve the Purple Line as a “generally at-grade light rail line that is primarily on its own right of way” from New Carrollton to Bethesda, and to complete the Capital Crescent Trail alongside the Purple Line. Sign on! Keep reading…
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Afternoon links: More about Maryland edition
Girding for battle in Columbia: General Growth Properties, the owners of the commercial areas of Columbia, will release a plan soon to redevelop the mall and surrounding areas into a higher density, mixed use district (probably something like this. Is it a good plan to create a walkable downtown or overdevelopment in Smart Growth’s clothing? A new group just formed to advocate… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Development outside the beltway edition
MD cuts everything but the one project they should: Facing a shortfall in gas tax revenue due to people driving less, Maryland is cutting transportation projects across the board except for the ICC, which is “protected” under its financing agreement. With people trimming their driving, the ICC is exactly what Maryland no longer needs, while the Purple Line and Corridor… Keep reading…
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Floreen floats parking tax proposal
Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Floreen has proposed taxing business parking spaces in the county, reports the Gazette. The proposal would charge $250 per space per year, but give discounts to businesses if they make employees pay market rate for their parking, provide mass transit benefits, or subsidize parking for carpools. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Frustrated about driving edition
The great bike lane debate continues: Friday’s post on right hooks and Alice Swanson reignited the debate over bike lanes. Do they make cyclists safer (by giving them dedicated space) or less safe (by moving them next to traffic where turning cars can hit them)? Infosnack HQ found this thoughtful paper on the issue. Keep reading…
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Weekend reading: Calm during the storm edition
Cornhusker calming in Chevy Chase: Residents are concerned about speeding drivers on Nebraska Avenue just west of Rock Creek Park, reports the Current. DDOT is reconstructing that segment of road, but residents argue the agency didn’t adequately communicate plans while they were in development (a common problem across the city). Keep reading…