Dinner links: Real or fake?

We didn’t have our minds made up, we swear

Maryland State Highway and Mass Transit officials insist that their I-270 study is open to many options, not just road widening. The study itself does combine an evaluation of the Corridor Cities Transitway with an evaluation of road widening options. However, all road options except No Build involve some widening, and Montgomery officials said that the state presented the project to them with an expectation that they would select a build alternative for the road as well as a build alternative for the CCT. (Baltimore Sun)

Our mind was made up, but now it’s not

Meanwhile, Virginia DRPT is working on that study of transit and TDM alternatives to widening I-66 that VDOT kept refusing to do. The compromise TPB vote earlier this year let VDOT move forward with phase 1 as long as they actually did the study. DRPT is holding community meetings in September in Arlington (9/23), Vienna (9/24), and Haymarket (9/30) for people to review and comment on the study. (Gavin Baker)  (Tip: Gavin Baker)

PG HHS?

The Department of Health and Human Services may move from its Rockville location, which it has outgrown. The owner of the current facility would like to keep them there, while Prince George’s developers and leaders are interested in luring the department to new development at New Carrollton or Largo Metro stations. The current site is also a half block from Metro. (Post, Cavan, Bianchi)  (Tip: Cavan)

Transit-oriented Wal-Mart?

Calling projects “Transit-Oriented Development” and “Smart Growth” is all the rage, even when it’s really not. But this one takes the cake. An old auto-oriented shopping center in Charlotte will become a larger, auto-oriented Wal-Mart Supercenter. They’re also widening a turn lane and building a new interchange to handle increased car traffic. And yet, bizarrely, Nancy Carter of the Charlotte City Council says this will “anchor” some “transit-oriented development.” If you say so. (News 14 Carolina)

Don’t be afraid of the Purple Line, UMD

The UMD administration and some alumni continue to oppose the Purple Line. Rethink College Park features a letter by an alum who says the University will lose his support if the line goes through campus. RTCP notes that Campus Drive is not exactly UMD’s most idyllic, pristine section as it is.

News flash: Not a lot of room to park

It’s not cheap to park at area colleges, especially the urban ones. The Post quotes a AAA study showing the various rates for student parking. Some of them still seem below market rate for their locations, actually. But AAA Mid-Atlantic is outraged that colleges don’t subsidize automobility even more. DCist thinks it’s totally reasonable for students at urban campuses to take public transportation if they don’t want to pay.

And…

The taxing district created to pay for the Silver Line is legal (Examiner) … Canada’s passenger railroad is launching a Toronto-Montreal bike train (Canada News Wire, Matt’) … Water taxi service to the Nationals ballpark starts Tuesday, 9/8. You can now buy tickets. (WTOP)  (Tip: Matt')