Breakfast links: The feds have given Metro safety oversight back to local leaders, freeing up millions
Feds transfer Metro oversight to a new Metrorail Safety Commission
The Federal Transit Administration has certified the region's Metrorail Safety Commission to oversee incident investigations, audit Metro’s safety procedures, and perform some inspections. The transfer of authority also frees up $48.5 million in withheld federal funds for public transportation projects. (Max Smith / WTOP)
Metro will pause weekend work for a month during cherry blossom season
Metro announced it plans to halt daytime weekend track work for four weeks during cherry blossom season from March 23 to April 14. It may, however, “begin overnight track work after 10 pm when ridership is lighter.” (Natalie Delgadillo / DCist)
Governor Hogan wants to take over management of the BW Parkway
Saying the NPS does a “terrible job” maintaining the BW Parkway, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said he's talking to the state's congressional delegation about transferring the parkway to Maryland so the state can maintain it and add tolls to help pay for it. (Tom Fitzgerald / FOX 5)
Plans for DC’s Franklin Park include public bathrooms
Plans were recently unveiled for redeveloping and maintaining downtown DC's Franklin Park. The plans include improved landscaping, hardscaping, and the addition of a small cafe/pavilion with public restrooms. (Michael Neibauer / WBJ)
The National Zoo got approval to add fences and close seven entrances
The National Capital Planning Commission approved plans by the National Zoo to improve security by reducing the number of pedestrian entrances from 13 to six and expanding fencing to close gaps around the property. (Andrew Giambrone / Curbed)
WAMTA to rebuild 14th Street bus garage with retail space
WMATA plans to preserve the facade of its 102-year-old bus garage at 14th and Buchanan Streets NW, but will rebuild the crumbling garage and include enough street-fronting retail space to accommodate up to a small grocery store. (Nena Perry-Brown / Urban Turf)
Arlington is loosening ordinances in hopes of reducing childcare costs
To address the high cost of childcare, the Arlington County Board voted unanimously to change several ordinances to make it easier for more small providers to open and operate a childcare center. A 2017 report found the county had 6,984 licensed spaces for 13,435 kids under the age of five. (Julia Airey / ARLnow)
On Germany’s Equal Pay Day, Berlin offered a pass adjusted for the gender wage gap
In honor of Germany's national Equal Pay Day on March 18, women in Berlin were given the option of purchasing a special Frauenticket day pass, priced 21% lower than the regular fare, to highlight the average gender wage disparity. (Feargus O’Sullivan / CityLab)
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