Photo by The Malones on Flickr.

Extended play

Congress approved a 90 day extension of transportation funding, ensuring the gas tax and road construction funds will not end this weekend. The House never took up the Senate transportation bill. (The Hill)  

Congressional meddling to get behind

A Redskins training facility on Reservation 13 could violate federal law deeding the land to the District, as the law specifies any use must comply with the Reservation 13 Master Plan. (Flahaven, oboe)  (Tip: oboe)  

Streetcar comes up short

DC’s streetcar will have a 42% operating shortfall, and the District doesn’t know yet where it will get the money. Fares are only expected to cover 19% of operating expenses. (Examiner)  

Schools face cuts

Costs at DC Public Schools rose 5%, but Mayor Gray’s budget only adds 2%. Special education coordinators and librarians are likely to see cuts. (Post)  

Bar owners back their best interest

Mayor Gray’s proposal to keep bars open an hour longer won praise from bar owners who said it would improve their business and the city’s economy, safety, and nightlife. Councilmember Graham, though, is concerned the later hours would bring more crime and noise late at night. (Post, DCist)  

DoD choice worsens traffic

The Department of Defense is setting up a sprawling campus near the Beltway and Route 50 in Fairfax. Since it’s not new construction, it doesn’t have the same rules for reducing single-passenger vehicle use. (WTOP)  

Bike sharing a ripoff? Expand it!

A London mayoral candidate calls its bike sharing system “an under-used, elitist rip-off.” So what does he want to do? Expand the program to more and poorer neighborhoods. All 4 candidates are competing to see who can have the most aggressively pro-bicycle policy. (The Times)  

Formalize the informal street

New York City has an informal, 6-block “avenue” connecting lobbies and plazas that gets heavy use. Now the city will add crosswalks and stop signs to make “6½ Avenue” legal to walk from end to end. (NYT, Ben Ross)  (Tip: Ben Ross)  

And…

The H Street area gets its first bike shop. (Post, Falls Church) … DDOT wants to close a block of 10th Street NW to cars in front of Ford’s Theater. (City Paper, Bossi) … DC’s largest private solar array is under construction in Tenleytown. (DCmud) … Mayor Gray will propose tax breaks for high-tech businesses and their investors. (Post)  (Tip: Falls Church)