Breakfast links: State power for car-centrism

VDOT’s way or the highway

A new Virginia policy would let VDOT essentially rewrite local plans around its road plans. If the rule goes into effect, it could force paring down Tysons Corner redevelopment and widening I-66 in Arlington.  (Examiner)

Govs pushing Outer Beltway

Governors O’Malley and McDonnell are again talking about a new Potomac crossing, part of the long-debated Outer Beltway. (Examiner)

Obama cuts Metro

President Obama’s budget cuts 10% from the promised $150 million per year the feds are paying for Metro repairs. The feds promised the money in exchange for a state match and 2 federal members on the WMATA Board. (WTOP)

Parking no longer King

Alexandria will get rid of parking at King Street Metro and add landscaping, bicycle parking, and more room for buses. City leaders thought the sub­urban parking lot was out of place and want safer pedestrian access. (WAMU)

Oops, we lost your rec center

DC demolished the Kenilworth-Parkside recreation center, but didn’t realize the soil was contaminated, and the Park Service won’t let them rebuild. Any hope for a new rec center is now many years away. (City Paper)

Some CMs pass on raise

Mary Cheh, David Catania, Michael Brown and Kwame Brown will all forgo legally-mandated cost of living raises this year. Tommy Wells, who does not have an outside job, says the move is just game playing. (Examiner, WAMU)

Tunnel too small

The expansion of the Panama canal will bring larger ships to Baltimore, but the Howard Street Tunnel is to small for double stacked freight cars. CSX may build a transfer station to stack cars on the other side of the tunnel. (Post)

Bike to DCA

It is possible to ride your bike to National Airport. While the airport is conveniently located off the Mount Vernon Trail and has some bike parking, those facilities are not covered and require traversing stairs.  (Patch)

And…

Gaithersburg may get a new town center on its current fairgrounds. (Gazette) … 47 New Flyer buses have an electrical problem. (Post) … ZipCar is adding vans. (TBD) … Preparing for the Olympics, London is selling a Tube map with lines and stations replaced by Olympic sports and athletes. (Yahoo)