Breakfast links: Make way for the bus
16th St under scrutiny
DDOT is kicking off a new study of bus service on 16th Street. There have been two other studies recently, but this one will focus on whether to add a dedicated bus lane. The department is also working on traffic signal priority. (Post)
Visioning zero
Mayor Bowser touted US DOT Secretary Foxx’s “Mayors’ Challenge” to improve pedestrian safety. DC is focused on “Vision Zero” to lower pedestrian and cyclist deaths by changing road design and culture but there are still few details available. (Post)
Give ‘em the old razzle dazzle
Metro hired two high-powered PR firms to help restore its image after the smoke incident. One of the firms has ties to the NTSB. Critics are wondering if the agency is more concerned with image than fixing problems. (Post)
College planning
The University of Maryland is investing in Route 1 in College Park, aiming to give the corridor a main street feel and better connect the university and city. The university is focusing on more apartments, shops, and restaurants. (Post)
Still say no
How should DC employers deal with employees who embrace legal marijuana? Job candidates soon won’t be allowed to undergo drug testing, but federal and other workplaces plan to maintain their drug-free policies. (Post)
Driving crime down
DC’s Metropolitan Police want to see homicides drop to 50 a year. It is unclear if homicides can drop more. Meanwhile, Montgomery County police could soon be wearing body cameras in a pilot project. (Washingtonian, BethesdaNow)
Unaffordable Arlington
Arlington could run out of affordable housing before 2020. The county has about 200 affordable units under development, not enough to reach the official goal of keeping 17% of units affordable for average area residents. (ArlNow)
Woodridge on the rise
Residents in DC’s Woodridge neighborhood wanted a say in its revitalization. They cleaned up the main drag and started luring businesses to fill up vacant store fronts. Their efforts are now paying off. (WAMU)
Go go gondola
The Georgetown gondola proposal could be under study this year. The Georgetown BID is in contact with both DC and Arlington County transportation officials, and has raised most of the money needed for a feasibility study. (UrbanTurf)
And…
What lies under the streets of DC? The State Historic Preservation Office is on the case. (OPinions) … It turns out that real time transit information can help increase ridership. (CityLab) … Ferries as public transit aren’t worth the investment. (Slate)