DC Circulator bus in route to McPherson Square Metro station by BeyondDC licensed under Creative Commons.

DC Council passes $19.7 billion budget on first vote

DC Council took its first vote on the fiscal year 2024 budget on Tuesday, passing $19.7 billion worth of spending priorities. The budget included a restored $43 million for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), with 230 new housing vouchers specifically earmarked for those experiencing homelessness, funding for restored Circulator and new 24-hour Metrobus routes, and a 25-cent surcharge on all rideshare trips in DC to help fund bus service. K Street Transitway construction funding was not restored; nor was funding for fare-free Metrobus service. The council will take its final vote on the budget on May 30, with an effective date of October 1.  (Martin Austermuhle / DCist)  

Montgomery County Council names new planning board chair, commissioner

The Montgomery County Council appointed Artie Harris of the Montgomery Housing Partnership as the new planning board chair and transportation planner Josh Linden as commissioner. The seats opened up last fall after the entire board resigned in the wake of controversies.  (Ginny Bixby / MoCo360)  

Potomac River could be completely swimmable in 2030, swimmable in some places sooner

The Potomac Conservancy issued its annual report card on the Potomac River Tuesday, giving the river a B.  The organization cites the return of wildlife and pollution reduction efforts as part of its grade, noting that swimming could return in some places as soon as next year and completely by 2030. The organization does warn of the effect of deforestation, stronger storms, warmer water, and other climate change signs that could reverse progress on the river.  (Jacob Fenston / DCist)  

Fairfax County slowing speed to 35mph on Richmond Highway

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is lowering the speed limit to 35 mph on Richmond Highway between the Alexandria city limits and Jeff Todd Way/Mt. Vernon Memorial Way. VDOT found in study that the 45 mph speed limit was connected to more bicycle, pedestrian, and high-speed motor vehicle crashes.  (Emily Leayman / Patch)  

Arlington zoning change clears way for more food delivery options

The Arlington County Board has granted the Foxtrot location at 1771 N. Pierce Street in Rosslyn a permit to continue to operate its in-house food delivery service beyond the emergency provisions it set for the COVID-19 pandemic for food delivery. The county is studying the effects of other food delivery services to see if this provision can be made permanent on a more widespread basis. The county did not approve Foxtrot’s request for free parking and standing of its vehicles on the block outside of the store, but it did approve use of spaces for loading and unloading for 15-minutes in a nearby underground parking deck.  (Matt Blitz / ARLNow)  

Self-described “car-centric” Post columnist gives ear to GGWash, WABA concerns on transportation infrastructure in DC

Longtime Post columnist Courtland Milloy, a self-described “car-centric” person, explored the role of a bike-, pedestrian-, and transit-friendly transportation network in DC. Interviewing both Caitlin Rogger of GGWash and Jeremiah Lowery of WABA, Milloy unpacks the connections between multimodal infrastructure and safety, connectivity, affordability, and economic vitality.  (Courtland Milloy / Post)  

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