Photo by Michael T. Ruhl on Flickr.

Amtrak rolling again

Amtrak service between Philadelphia and New York was restored Monday, and the railroad is making safety improvements in the area around the recent crash. Rail is still one of the safest ways to travel. (Post)  

Purple problems

Purple Line supporters are optimistic that Governor Hogan won’t kill the project. Montgomery County Council President George Leventhal criticized the governor, saying canceling it would be “unwise.” (WAMU, Bethesda Beat)  

Build more homes

The new head of DC’s Department of Housing and Community Development lays out her vision to produce and preserve more housing in the city. She sees a role for the agency to help reduce and prevent homelessness. (City Paper)  

Quarry changes

Loudoun Quarries has worked for years to redevelop the site into the mixed-use Waterside town center. But county staff oppose the project, largely because it calls for more residential land use than called for in the comprehensive plan. (WBJ)  

White Flint falling down

Exterior demolition of White Flint Mall could begin soon, and some interior demolition has already happened. Lord & Taylor continues to fight the redevelopment plan that will turn the area into a town center. (Bethesda Beat)  

Where to board

Metro is analyzing which cars passengers prefer to ride. Planners hope to find ways to better distribute customers across all train cars. (PlanItMetro)  

Tax that gas

States are struggling to fund transportation with gas taxes, just like the federal government. State gas taxes that rise with inflation do better at sustaining funds for transportation. (Governing)  

Now hiring

The Coalition for Smarter Growth is looking for someone to advance transit investments, smart growth road design, and other sustainable priorities in Montgomery County. If you are interested, you should apply. (Coalition for Smarter Growth)  

And…

Congress readies a two-month extension to federal transportation funding. (Streetsblog) … Verizon will not renew its title sponsorship of the Verizon Center. (WBJ) … Getaround, the “Airbnb for cars,” has launched in DC. (UrbanTurf)