Breakfast links: The future is soon

Water in McMillan’s future?

DC Water is looking into whether it can relieve flooding in Bloomingdale using the McMillan Sand Filtration Site. That could stall development plans even to 2025, or at least require building it in stages. (Post)

Autoload is coming

A system to automatically reload SmarTrip cards from a credit card when the balance gets low is now in testing, as 30,000 riders got an invitation to try the feature. WMATA won’t yet say when it will roll out to everyone. (Examiner)

Underground power?

A mayoral task force is looking at burying more power lines. Burying all could cost $5.8 billion, but a plan to eliminate 75% of power outages costs a mere $1.1 billion. Some protestors oppose the idea of ratepayers paying anything for such a plan, because they say Pepco “is greedy.”

Less green, more sign

A developer removed 4 trees that separate a parking lot and the street in Rockville Town Center. Their reason was just to make signs for an upcoming grocery store more visible. (Patch)

Help Fairfax pay for transport

Fairfax is trying to decide how to raise more money for transportation, possibly sales or income taxes. There’s a survey for residents to weigh in on the best solution. (Patch)

Politicians off the ticket

DC officials will not get any free seats to Nationals playoff games, meaning no fighting among the DC Council and mayor for tickets. (Post)

Less driving alone

The number of people commuting alone in cars declined slightly, reversing an upward trend since 2008. Transit also saw a small increase. (Streetsblog)

And…

Anacostia could be getting a BID. (DCmud) … Skyland demolition has begun; Walmart will anchor the redevelopment. … Create your own bike lane with lasers. (Patch) … Some new insurance options give cyclists more peace of mind. (Bike League)