Breakfast links: Rail projects move at different speeds

Streetcars fast-tracked for GA Ave

The District may reprioritize the entire Georgia Avenue streetcar line into phase 1. The move may encourage faster redevelopment of Walter Reed. (City Paper)

Residents object to rail yard

Some Montgomery residents object to the size and placement of the Purple Line rail yard proposed for Lyttonsville. (Examiner) … Such vocal opposition may be why the feds passed over the line for expedited review. (Post)

Metro costs soar

WMATA’s pension costs will jump 32% next year to compensate for poor stock market performance. Health insurance benefits are lurching forward 8% and other insurance costs will jump 5% next year due to the 2009 crash. (Examiner)

Should Fairfax control its roads?

VDOT controls all roads in counties, except in Arlington and Henrico. Fairfax supervisor John Cook wants Fairfax to control them too to improve maintenance.  Chairman Sharon Bulova says Fairfax can’t afford it.  (Examiner)

DC’s Colbert rapport

DC architect Eric Colbert is the go-to guy for condo projects.  Is he the new Harry Wardman or are his designs too bland? (City Paper)

Alexandria declares parking meter holiday

The city won’t charge for parking in Old Town on Black Friday. (Post) … The move is aimed to attract shoppers, but will shoppers instead be frustrated by workers who will park on the street for hours on end?

Keep calm and party on

DC’s emergency management director will host a “stay in town party” in the event of an emergency.  She hopes to discourage people from clogging evacuation routes by evacuating the city all at once. (Examiner)

And…

Downtown property owners worry that protestors might get too messy. (Post)  … The WMATA board lunches on humble pie. (Examiner) … Ray LaHood won’t remain Secretary of Transportation if President Obama gets a 2nd term. (The Hill)