Breakfast links: Oops
Contractor takes down wrong, historic tree
A contractor for the Park Service accidentally cut down a healthy, 140-year-old tree at Farragut Square when they were supposed to cut down a totally different tree. (Post)
Multiple pedestrians die
Cars and drivers killed a 94-year-old woman on Georgia Avenue near Howard (by turning into the woman in a crosswalk), a 59-year-old man crossing Georgia in Aspen Hill, a man in Bowie on Route 301, and this morning, a man on New York Avenue by Ivy City. (WTOP, WJLA, Gazette)
Gas tax “compromise” emerges
A Virginia Senate panel passed a transportation funding plan which raises the gas tax 5¢ (instead of eliminating it), adds a 1% sales tax on wholesale fuel, moves some general fund money to transportation, and lets counties also impose a 1% sales tax for transportation. McDonnell said Virginia is “on the brink of success,” though it seems this is the exact opposite of his plan. (Post)
Door freely, wear a helmet
Bike advocates testified against the Maryland helmet bill, while Nancy Floreen argued for it. Meanwhile, Chap Petersen’s anti-dooring bill failed on a tie vote in a Virginia house committee. (Baltimore Sun, WashCycle)
FBI at Greenbelt has pluses for Metro
WMATA isn’t taking sides on the FBI location, but is proposing to amend a development agreement at Greenbelt so the developer or county can try to lure the agency there. Planning staff say the FBI at Greenbelt would help Metro by increasing reverse commuting and improving station facilities. (Post)
Performance loading?
DDOT wants to establish permits for commercial loading zones. Vehicles could get $325 annual passes, $25 day passes, or pay meters hourly. (WBJ)
Widening pressure never ends
Fairfax County supervisor Pat Herrity wants to study widening the Fairfax County Parkway, but colleague Catherine Hudgins thinks transit service would do more to move people and also not destroy homes. (Examiner)
Lauren Graham, cyclist
Actress Lauren Graham, who grew up in the area, thinks Washington “is a really wonderful area” and bicycles a lot on trips. No word on whether she bikes for transportation at home as well. (Washington Flyer)
And…
Want to work part time for the DC Pedestrian Advisory Council? (idealist) … Democrats want Virginians to read Ken Cuccinelli’s new book. (Post) … People still mostly hate the proposed DC taxi colors. (Post)