Photo by Stefan Klauke on Flickr.

Can you hear me now?

Cell service is finally coming to Metro. Metro has a new deal with mobile carriers, after a previous 2008 agreement encountered numerous obstacles. (Post)  

DC loves rowhouses

Rowhouses are the most common housing type in DC. Other cities have all sorts of different mixes of housing. Wonkblog charted the most popular housing types in a variety of US cities. (Post)  

Pope prep

You can probably get around by bike while the pope is here, but many closed roads will also be closed to bicycles. (Post) … Here’s a guide to avoid (or see) the pontiff. (City Paper) … This man is responsible for driving the pope around. (WBJ)  

Road diets in the works

DC’s long-range plan includes possible protected bikeways near Union Market and Pennsylvania Avenue west of the White House as well as other road diets to fit in bike lanes. (TheWashCycle)  

Slow down in Old Town

Alexandria police are cracking down on cyclists, after complaints from residents. Cyclists have received warning and citations for running stop signs and riding at high speeds. (Post)  

Reston founder at rest

Robert E. Simon, the pioneering developer who founded Reston, Virginia, and   hoped to revolutionize suburbs, died Monday at age 101. He was inspired by ideas from other cities around the world. (Reston Now, Washingtonian)  

Make Dulles less dull

In Loudoun County, Dulles area residents want more roads and multi-use paths. They also want to preserve green space, and local high school students say the area is too “mom-centric.” (Post)  

Richmond to Raleigh rail

Federal officials approved a plan to build high speed rail between Richmond and Raleigh. The new route would shave 35 miles and over an hour off the current trip. There is not yet funding, however. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)  

Biking down, driving up

The percentage of commuters in DC driving alone rose, while the percentage bicycling, taking transit, and walking all declined. However, it’s possible this is just random variation in the survey and not a real trend. (TheWashCycle)  

And…

Meet America’s tri-points: where three states come together. (Post) … The US should love roundabouts, since they reduce crashes, take up less space, and cost less to build. (Priceonomics) … US railroads might shut down service if Congress doesn’t extend the deadline for installing train safety technology. (TheHill)