Breakfast links: Transportation and civil rights
Transportation can create opportunity
Reflecting on the role of transportation during the civil rights movement, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx says transportation has historically divided Americans but has power to create opportunity. (USDOT)
Gray speaks on DC statehood
During 50th Anniversary of March on Washington, Mayor Gray asked all Americans to demand statehood for DC, giving residents full representation in Congress and final say in how local money is spent. (DCist)
DC from 1963 to 2013
Fifty years ago, the original March on Washington brought 200,000 marchers to the National Mall and Union Station. (Atlantic Cities, PoPville)
More traffic cameras in DC
DC Police installed the first of 132 new traffic cameras, an expansion that will more than double the number of cameras in DC. MPD will crack down on drivers that run stop signs, block the box, and fail to yield to pedestrians. (NBC4)
Fairfax County searches for Silver Line funding
Fairfax County must find money to build parking and station facilities for its part of the Silver Line. Revenue from the Dulles Toll Road could pay two-thirds of the final bill, leaving approximately $25 million to fund. (WAMU)
Olympics could spur transit development
London and Athens expanded and upgraded city rail lines for their Olympics. Could the 2024 Olympics be the catalyst DC needs for transit expansion? Economists say infrastructure benefits are often oversold. (City Paper, Post)
ANC supports 5333 Connecticut changes
Chevy Chase’s ANC voted to support proposed changes to 5333 Connecticut. Residents pleaded for the commissioners to postpone action, even though the ANC has zero clout in the matter-of-right project. (The Georgetown Dish, City Paper)
Tiber Creek not an ordinary stream
Below the surface near Union Station lies a sewer stream where Tiber Creek once flowed. John Kelly of the Post descends underground to learn how Sewer and Maintenance keep DC’s sewer moving.
UberX not illegal for long?
Legislation from Councilmember Mary Cheh could override regulations that made UberX illegal. A DC Taxicab Commission spokesperson says Cheh should “allow the Commission to do its job.” (DCist)
And…
Street closures for the Grand Prix of Baltimore create a headache for pedestrians. (Streetsblog) … Howard University Hospital lost $21 million last year. (WBJ) … Take a virtual ride on the Purple Line. (Gazette)