Breakfast links: Amtrak boosts security after someone drove onto Union Station tracks
Does Union Station have security risks?
A report from the Amtrak Office of Inspector General documents weaknesses in both the perimeter and interior security of Union Station that put riders and workers at risk. The report cites a March 15 incident where someone drove through a broken gate, onto a passenger platform, and eventually became stuck on MARC tracks. (Max Smith / WTOP)
A Senate road bill proposes $1.2 billion toward cyclist & pedestrian safety
The Senate is considering a five-year transportation infrastructure proposal that allocates $287 billion toward the nation’s crumbling roads and bridges and includes $1.2 billion per year to be spent on cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, an increase of 40% over current spending. (Aaron Short / Streetsblog)
Maryland is lowering the speed limits on two local roads
As part of a pedestrian safety effort, Maryland transportation officials are lowering the speed limits on River Road in Montgomery County and Indian Head Highway between Livingston Road and the Washington line in Prince George’s County. (Chris Gordon / NBC4. Tip: Chester B.)
When did ‘developer’ become such a dirty word?
Through the 1950s, developers and open land symbolized progress, but beginning in the 1970s a lack of open land in urbanizing areas meant that for something new to be built, something old must be taken away. (Emily Badger / New York Times)
A new Brookland shelter opens in August
A new 46-unit shelter for families experiencing homelessness will open in Brookland on August 21. The Ward 5 shelter recently won approval from the DC Court of Appeals after some Northeast neighbors filed a zoning lawsuit against the project’s location and design. (Andrew Giambrone / Curbed)
This mapping project shows redlining and racial covenants in Virginia
Mapping Inequality, a project of the University of Richmond’s Digital Scholarship Lab and other universities, allows you see how government programs graded neighborhoods in nearly 250 cities largely based on the race of residents. (Catherine Komp / Community Idea Stations)
An AU exhibit highlights MoCo’s historic black communities
A summer art exhibit at the American University’s Katzen Arts Center, “Plans to Prosper You: Reflections of Black Resistance and Resilience in Montgomery County’s Potomac River Valley,” tells the story of three historic black communities in Montgomery County. (Sasha-Ann Simons / WAMU)
Don’t expect to swim in Rock Creek anytime soon
While water quality continues to improve in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, Rock Creek continues to fail bacteria level tests every week. By 2030 DC Water’s “green infrastructure plan” hopes to address stormwater and sewage overflow discharges that empty directly into the Rock Creek, causing bacteria levels to remain at unsafe levels. (Yasna Khademian / DCist)
Rosslyn expands Dark Star Park
Rosslyn permanently closed a slip lane at the corner of Fort Myer Drive and North Lynn Street, which will allow it to expand Dark Star Park. The closed lane is temporarily furnished with tables, chairs, and artwork and will eventually be developed into green space and sidewalks. (Vernon Miles / ARLnow)
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