Breakfast links: The campaigns heat up
Bowser running on development
Muriel Bowser is making development in Ward 4 a central part of her campaign for mayor. But Mary Cheh says the mayor has much more power over development than a ward councilmember. (Examiner)
New Virginia poll
Governor Bob McDonnell now enjoys 64% approval, including 52% among Democrats, likely thanks to his transportation bill. Ken Cuccinelli leads Terry McAuliffe by 5-10 points in the governor’s race with 6 months to go. (Post)
Bikeshare is “awesome”
Capital Bikeshare is so great, it even impressed a New Yorker who’s not otherwise a huge DC fan. The app is “f***ing great,” though the writer encountered empty docks and full stations around the Mall.
Orange Line to Wiehle?
Should Metro have made the Silver Line a branch of the Orange Line? London, New York, and others unify lines that share a route through the core. Metro asked about this on a survey, but riders didn’t go for it. (Atlantic Cities)
On the Maryland rails
Senator Barbara Mikulski enthusiastically endorsed Charles County’s push for light rail from Branch Avenue to Waldorf, but said the Red Line and Purple Line must come first. (SoMDNews, Ben Ross) … The Red Baltimore Red Line’s planner answers the line’s critics. (Baltimore Brew, Fern Shen) (Tip: Ben Ross)
Offices getting denser
With rising rents, new technology, teleworking and more, many companies in downtown DC are packing more workers in less space. (Post)
Credit cards coming to taxis
The head of the DC Taxicab Commission says that credit card machines will be in all cabs by September of this year. (WAMU)
Woman falls onto tracks
A 73 year old woman fell onto the tracks at the Dupont Circle Metro. Fortunately, no trains were nearby, and other riders helped her up. (Examiner)
Virginia private tolls unconstitutional?
A judge has thrown out the public-private partnership for a tunnel road in Portsmouth, VA. The ruling, if upheld, could also block other such private toll road deals around the state (Virginian-Pilot)
And…
37% more people bought VRE “step-up” tickets to ride Amtrak in March. (Examiner) … VW donates $10 million to the National Mall. (ABC) … A 4-year-old darted out into the street in Alexandria and was killed. (Post)