Breakfast links: Music to your ears
Go green
Mayor Gray’s ambitious Sustainability DC plan aims to halve greenhouse emissions with measures like greener buildings and modernized schools and public housing. The plan also includes a pay-as-you-throw plan for trash, where residents would pay by the can or bag. (Post)
Bike safer
A new cycling bill introduced by Councilmembers Wells and Cheh would put questions about bike safety on DC’s driver’s license test, require safe detours around construction, and increase penalties for drivers who fail to yield to cyclists. (WashCycle)
Don’t drive so close to me
A bill that would have made following a cyclist too closely illegal in Virginia was defeated in the House of Delegates, leaving Virginia the lone state without such a law. (FABB)
Telephone line for safety
USDOT is looking to set up an anonymous tip line for Metro employees to report close calls and other safety issues. Officials expect to get 400 calls a year, based on experience with other rail networks. (Examiner)
A blow to Costco gas
The Montgomery County Planning Department has recommended against allowing the Wheaton Costco to build a gas station citing adverse health impacts of idling cars at what would be the busiest gas station in Montgomery County. (Patch)
Imagine there’s no Metro
Without Metro, traffic in the region could be much worse. If only 5% of Yellow Line riders switched to driving on the 14th Street bridge, the queue to cross the river could be 10 miles long. (PlanItMetro)
One day more
Bidding for Georgetown’s West Heating Plant was extended by a day with bidding activity picking up greatly between 4 bidders, placing the price of the site at at least $5.2 million. (Urban Turf)
Life in the fast lane
The opening of the new Beltway HOT lanes means commuter buses to Tysons are getting through their routes 20 minutes faster, forcing the operators to update their schedules. (Potomac Local News)