Breakfast links: Make it high speed
Make the NEC high-speed, gradually
A new Amtrak vision would gradually upgrade the Northeast Corridor to high- speed rail, with more Acela trains and some higher speeds in 2017 up to real high-speed in 2040. (TN)
California moves ahead with high-speed rail
The California State Senate approved funds to start high-speed rail on a segment in the Central Valley, ultimately to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles. Without the vote, California would have lost federal money. (Streetsblog)
Uber would be legal, but have to stay pricey
An amendment to the taxi bill in the DC Council would legalize Uber, but also restrict it to charging 5 times as much as others taxis. (DCist) … Why not just let companies charge anything for dispatches as long as they publish their rates in an open format?
McDuffie opposes car barn
Kenyan McDuffie has asked DDOT to find another location for the streetcar maintenance facility besides in front of Spingarn High School. DDOT has said no other location would be feasible in time to open the line next year. (DCist)
Cafritz project approved
The Prince George’s County Council has approved rezoning the Cafritz property in Riverdale Park to a mixed-use development including a Whole Foods. (Gazette) … We’ve had our numerous articles from many points of view.
Gray election consultant charged
The ongoing investigation of Mayor Gray’s campaign has led to the arrest of Jeanne Clarke Harris, a public relations consultant with who is accused of running a “straw donation” conspiracy for Jeffrey Thompson. (Post)
DC breathalyzers may return
The DC Council may bring back breathalyzer testing after it was suspended because of suspended inaccuracy. The bill would also lower the legal blood-alcohol content limit from .08 to .04 for commercial drivers. (Examiner)
And…
The Washington Monument may be closed into 2014. (Examiner)… Arlington’s oldest tree split and was taken down because of last week’s storm. (Post)… Prince George’s and Montgomery office markets are stagnating. (Gazette)