Photo by Mr. Pikachu on Flickr.

Purple Line delayed

The Hogan administration has delayed bids on the Purple Line by 5 more months. Governor Hogan wants companies to revisit their bids to find ways to build the project more cheaply. (Post)  

More smoke

Over the weekend there were three more smoke incidents on Metro, evacuating Woodley Park, Foggy Bottom, and L’Enfant Plaza . Heightened awareness may be spurring more caution. (WAMU, ArlNow, PoPville)  

Streetcar burns

As if to add insult to injury, one of DC’s streetcars caught fire on Saturday night. At this time, it is unclear what may have caused the fire. (City Paper)  

CSX fireworks

The Committee of 100 asked a judge to stop construction of the CSX tunnel along Virginia Avenue SE in DC. Meanwhile, CSX is rerouting oil trains in Virginia following an explosion last week. (Post, Bacon’s Rebellion)  

HOT doesn’t stop slugging

The I-95 Express Lanes brought more (toll-paying) traffic to formerly HOV-only lanes, but sluggers are still carpooling, and a new slug line has even formed in Stafford County. (WAMU)  

Housing navigators help homeless

DC has a new team to help homeless families navigate the housing market, a long-term solution that mirrors national trends. Cities are searching for more permanent solutions over temporary fixes. (DCFPI, Next City)  

How much vacant land is there?

Housing DC’s future population growth entirely on private vacant land would require buildings 4 stories or taller. There is more vacant land available but most is under federal control. (District, Measured)  

Fragmented governments

Metro areas divided into numerous small cities grow more slowly than ones with fewer jurisdictions, a worldwide study found. Regional bodies such as the Council of Governments can help coordinate. (Post)  

Taller with less parking in New York?

New York City may remove minimum parking requirements for affordable and senior housing, to encourage more of it. Buildings also could be taller in large areas of the city. (Capital New York)  

A bike tunnel of snow

A popular Boston bike route was blocked by a 15-foot mountain of snow, so some intrepid cyclists made a tunnel. (Mashable)