Breakfast links: Disrepair

Crumbling roads, but new capacity

US roads continue to fall into further disrepair, as states devote 55% of road spending to new highway capacity. Only 45% of funds went to maintenance and repairs of existing roads. (Streetsblog)

Speaking of crumbling roads…

A single pothole on I-270 in Frederick caused many commuters flat tires and ultimately a 5-mile backup. This year’s harsh winter has caused major problems for DC area roads. (Post)

How long for Metro repair?

Metro’s weekend delays and disruptions “will never end,” said WMATA’s Rob Troup, but by 2017, the system should be more stable and the pace of track work slow down. Troup also suggested Red Line stations may need to close to fix water infiltration. (WAMU)

Height Act bill moves forward

A bill making only tiny tweaks to DC’s Height Act unanimously passed a House committee. Chairman Darrell Issa said he’d like to have gone further (but for DC Council and NCPC reluctance), and suggested a pilot program to see where residents would support taller buildings. (WBJ)

Rosslyn, where the Internet began

As the Internet celebrates 25 years, the DC area acknowledges where it all began: the intersection of Wilson and Clarendon Boulevards. Now, up to 70% of global Internet traffic passes through Loudoun County. (WBJ)

DC’s great divide

DC’s income inequality is the fourth-highest among the 50 largest cities in the US, according to a report from the DC Fiscal Policy Institute. Will the District’s minimum wage bill help close the gap? (City Paper)

Underground sex industry declines

DC’s underground sex industry declined by 34 percent from 2003 to 2007, the biggest drop among the cities in the study. Many of the sex workers are recruited at transportation hubs like Union Station. (DCist)

Taxi share

New York could reduce taxi trips by 40% if people riding in taxis shared a ride with someone who’s going nearby at the same time, researchers found. Would riders be interested in participating if such a system existed? (Atlantic Cities)

Free ride, no deadlines

After a novelist said rides on Amtrak’s long-distance trains were relaxing and inspiring places to write, the railroad will offer free “residency” rides to 24 writers. They get a sleeper room with a desk, and a great view. (CNN)