Photo by Hans Riemer.

$18M for snow, $1B for railcars

Metro released its estimate for the cost of the snowstorms: $18 million, $8M to remove the snow and $9.7M in lost fares. (They had to pay salaries though service was not running.) They’re trying to get federal disaster aid to cover some of the loss … The NTSB added safer railcar designs to its “most wanted” improvements; replacing the 1000-series cars would cost $1 billion. (Post)  

Shovel in Deanwood

ANC 7C is organizing a group to shovel out bus stops for the W4, U4, U8, U5/U6, and 96 buses Saturday from 8-10:30 am. Meet at Lederer Youth Garden Center, Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE and 48th St. NE.  (Sylvia Brown)  

Real estate mission delayed

Central Union Mission is trying to move from 14th and R, but Petworth residents didn’t want it, and then the District’s attempt to set up a really short RFP so they could get the Gales School downtown ran into civil liberties groups that wanted a reasonable-length RFP to permit other bidders. (14th & You)  

Hoboken fixing parking by improving other modes

As Hoboken, NJ has gentrified, the numbers of cars have risen enormously creating massive parking crunches from professionals who commute by transit but drive on weekends and from residents of nearby towns driving in for the bars. Hoboken’s new Director of Transportation and Parking plans to solve the problem in every way other than adding parking: better ped safety, bike lanes, local shuttles, taxis, car sharing and more. (Planetizen, Michael P)  (Tip: Michael P)  

LaHood is reading!

Ray LaHood (or his staff) acknowledged a number of blogs in his post about TIGER, including Greater Greater Washington. Thanks Mr. Secretary, and thanks to the USDOT communications staff who are reading this blog! (Fast Lane)  

No more Lincoln Memorial (or trolley car)

The penny will no longer feature the Lincoln Memorial. Neil thinks the image may be “too abstruse in meaning and not that finely executed.” When I was little I thought the back of the penny was a trolley car, so maybe that points to value in changing it, or maybe we’re losing a trolley car. (US Mint)