Two 7000 series Metro trains at L’Enfant Plaza in June of 2022 by airbus777 licensed under Creative Commons.

WMATA safety panel approves plan for less-frequent inspections

WMATA can decrease the frequency of inspections for its 7000-series railcars from four days to seven days, according to a recently approved plan from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. WMATA says the new inspection plan will lead to better service across the system.  (Michael Laris / Post)  

Former WMATA chief might lead Maryland’s transportation department

Former WMATA General Manager and leader of several Maryland state-level transportation entities Paul Wiedefeld has become the top potential pick to lead the Maryland Department of Transportation. Wiedefeld resigned from leading WMATA after news broke that hundreds of railcar operators let their safety recertifications expire. Wiedefeld’s appointment would indicate a priority on multimodal projects in the Moore administration. Currently, Jim Ports, the appointee from the Hogan Administration, is still serving in the role on an interim basis.  (Jordan Pascale / DCist)  

200 sign up to speak at Arlington County Board’s missing middle public hearing

The Arlington County Board began a formal process on Saturday with a public hearing to consider zoning changes to allow the construction of missing middle housing. Over 200 people signed up to speak and the county will hold a final vote in March on the proposals.   (Christian Flores / WJLA, Margaret Barthel / DCist)  

Proposed Maryland budget includes $500 million investment in transportation

Governor Wes Moore has presented his first state budget proposal, which among other items, includes a $500 million investment in transportation. While the $500 million would be up to the yet-to-be-named transportation secretary to distribute, the Moore administration hopes to encourage federal transportation spending and grants by making the investment. The budget now goes to the Maryland General Assembly to review.  (Danielle E. Gaines / Maryland Matters)  

Students with disabilities face school bus delays in DC

Hundreds of bus routes that District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) students rely on to get to school face serious delays, largely due to a shortage of drivers. Unlike other jurisdictions, school buses in DC are only used to transport students with disabilities.  (Martin Austermuhle / DCist)  

Three DC neighborhoods have median home sale price of $2 million in 2022

The three $2 million neighborhoods are Foxhall, Spring Valley, and Kent. Additionally, there are now 16 neighborhoods in DC where the median home price is at or above $1 million, up from 14 neighborhoods in 2021. The new $1 million neighborhoods are Capitol Hill and Bloomingdale.  (UrbanTurf)  

Renderings released of hospital portion of Alexandria’s Landmark Mall redevelopment

Inova has sent its plans for its hospital campus at the center of the Landmark Mall redevelopment project to the Alexandria Planning Commission for review. If approved by the planning commission in March, the campus could be completed by 2028.  (James Cullum / ALXNow)  

The District leads the nation in green buildings

The District of Columbia certified more green building square footage than any other state-level jurisdiction last year, thanks to a mix of federal and local policies that incentivize green building. Buildings are the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in the District, so making buildings greener has an outsized impact on reducing the District’s carbon footprint.  (Jacob Fenston / DCist)  

Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.