Breakfast links: Making the connection
Anti pantograph?
The Commitee of 100 wire opponents not only oppose wires, but pantographs on the tops of vehicles. Seriously? And Lisa Rein says streetcars are “a throwback of a kind.” (Post)
More traction for Fair Share
Kytja Weir covers the Maryland letters for Fair Share For Metro. An MDOT spokesperson reaffirms that they are really broke, but the campaign is making them “assess” the budget some more. (Examiner)
Stay away from the Convention Center
Next Monday and Tuesday, a Nuclear Security Summit will bring many heads of state to the Convention Center. As a result, it will be nearly impossible to get anywhere near the building. Almost all roads around Mount Vernon Square will be closed, the Metro will bypass the station, and pedestrians will have to show ID to get through the area or to nearby apartments. (DDOT)
Hans and the Gaithersbungle
At-Large Montgomery County Council candidate Hans Riemer explains his objections to the Gaithersburg West plan, which generally match ours: excessive auto infrastructure, the east-west divide, and more. (MPW)
Posting stats boosts safe driving
Gainesville has a novel approach to getting drivers to yield to pedestrians: Posting performance statistics. Each week, observers measure compliance at select locations and the city posts the percentages on large signs. The program increased the rate to 52%; the article doesn’t say what the rate was before. (Gainesville Sun via RPUS)
Tour buses and annoyances are back
Alexandria wants to require permits for tour buses in Old Town (Examiner) … and a Dr. Gridlock letter writer bemoans tour buses that sometimes block multiple lanes around the Cathedral. They also block views on the Mall when parked in long lines.
And…
The new library on Benning Road has opened to positive acclaim (Post) … DCPS is trying to conceal statistics (DC Schools Insider) … Top Chef has started taping, but will it entirely focus on federal-oriented locations and people? (DCist)