Breakfast links: Silver lining
Birth of a new line
In 1962, planners scoffed at the idea of a Dulles rail line because it “would depend almost entirely on airport and tourist patronage.” That was before Tysons. County leaders at the time failed to plan to add transit and offices in the same places. (Post)
Vote in Maryland
Today is primary day in Maryland! You can learn about candidates’ views on growth and transportation in competitive Montgomery council races: At large, District 1, District 3, and District 5. Also see ACT’s scorecard.
Build nothing on Bradley
Some Chevy Chase residents are proactively organizing against even the possibility of building a mixed-use building where the Bethesda fire station now stands. One says it would be “a disaster for our residents.” (WTOP)
Suburban inversion?
City populations grew at a faster rate than their suburbs in 19 of the 51 largest metro areas in the US, including DC. Are US preferences shifting from the 2000s, when only 5 cities outpaced suburban growth? (CityLab)
Bad stadium timing
A hearing on the DC United stadium deal will occur during the US vs. Germany World Cup match on Thursday, despite calls to reschedule. But fans who want to testify can speak before the game starts. (Post)
A widening gap
Low-wage workers in the DC area made only 16¢ to every high-wage worker dollar, worse than the national average of 21¢. There are also fewer jobs for those without a college degree and higher suburban poverty rates. (Post)
Checking out the Internet
The New York and Chicago public libraries will begin lending WiFi hotspots to households with limited Internet access. New York will collect data on usage and will work with Kansas and Maine on similar rural initiatives. (CityLab)
Point up, not down
It turns out that making the arrows on highway signs point up, instead of down, helps drivers react more quickly and smooths out traffic flow. Several European countries have flipped their arrows. (Works That Work)
And…
The Washington region’s economy is larger than all but 26 countries. (WBJ) … Among a national call for paid maternity leave, how do area jurisdictions stack up? (WAMU) … Did Marion Barry mistake the “yoga tax” for a “yogurt tax”? (City Paper)