Breakfast links: Rejected

Atlanta rejects tax for transportation

Voters in the Atlanta region rejected a proposal to raise $7.2 billion for transportation with a 1% tax. The money would have gone evenly to mass transit and road projects. (AJC)

VA approves I-95 HOT lanes

Virginia has signd a final deal to construct HOT lanes on I-95. The current HOV lanes will grow to 3, adding drivers paying a toll of about $5-6. (Post) … See this and this for criticisms of the project.

One penalty rises, another too high?

DC increased penalties for drunk driving and set lower alcohol limits for commercial drivers. Meanwhile, DC drivers who speed in Virginia are getting a particularly heavy penalty. (Post)

Walmart may hurt Giant most

The coming arrival of Walmart in DC may seriously threaten the market-share of Giant more than Safeway, even though Giant currently holds the largest market share, because of Giant’s inferior “experiential quality.” (RPUS)

BRT builds ridership

Bus Rapid Transit lines built in the US with federal funds have experienced significant increases in ridership, though many of the project were also watered-down compared to the world’s best. (Streetsblog)

Portland broadens road metric

Portland is planning to develop a new standard to measure multi-modal road performance. Current “level of service” standards only measure automobile traffic. (BikePortland)

And…

Obama declares DC a disaster area after the derecho on June 29. (Examiner)… Mayor Gray broke ground on a new clinic in Ward 8. (NBC4)… DCist imagines the 2012 Olympics in DC. (DCist)… JDLand has pictures of construction at Canal Park.