Breakfast links: HOT lanes and cold weather

HOT lane prices rise

Tolls have been steadily climbing for the Capital Beltway HOT lanes. The toll reached $11.55 on April 3rd, coinciding with a tractor-trailer crash. (Post)

HOT lanes on the 14th Street Bridge?

HOT lanes are a possibility for the 14th Street Bridge to relieve some of the commuting congestion during rush hour. Vehicles with 3 or more people would drive for free in the lanes. (Post)

Winter redux

The winter we thought we left behind is back. It’s cold today and may freeze tonight. Thursday should be warmer, with a slow creep back toward spring weather. (Post)

Tragic

GWU senior Carlos Pacanins was hit by a driver in College Park and died from his injuries. Police say he was crossing when the “Don’t Walk” signal was flashing. Three other pedestrians have been hit at that intersection in the last year. (GW Hatchet)

Why conservatives like sprawl

Why do most conservatives blast government spending on transit but support tax breaks for homeownership? Maybe because exurban areas usually vote Republican while denser areas go Democratic? (Bacon’s Rebellion)

What to expect on Metro

When should you give up your seat on Metro to a pregnant woman? What’s the right way to ask someone to get up when you’re pregnant? (Post)

Don’t break up DDOT

Bob Thompson thinks creating more agencies is not the answer to problems at DDOT. It won’t stop hasty action but could cut down on multimodal, big picture thinking. Richard Layman calls the bill a case of “ready, fire, aim.” (Post)

Belgian Uber ban incites outrage

A Belgium

Brussels court ruled that Uber is breaking the law, which drew scorn from an EU official who derided the decision as protecting the “taxi cartel.” (TheNextWeb)

Study for the Susquehanna

Maryland is looking to replace the rail bridge over the Susquehanna River. A replacement could include a pedestrian and bicycle path; there is no trail link across the river today. (Cecil Daily)

The real problem in Silicon Valley

Selfish tech workers are destroying San Francisco, right? Not really. In Mountain View, the city forbids new housing near offices like Google’s, ostensibly to save an endangered owl, while planning even more office buildings. Other area cities have blocked affordable housing. (TechCrunch)

And…

Today is Emancipation Day: DC government employees get a holiday and some parking rules are suspended. (Post) … The federal transportation trust fund will likely go broke by the end of July. (Post) … A water taxi is starting up between Old Town Alexandria and the National Mall. (Alexandria Times)