Breakfast links: Tunnel and surface

Anomalies in our tunnels

NTSB investigators found “anomalies” with the ventilation fans in the Metro tunnel that filled with smoke last week. Metro will change its protocols and add signs to tell first responders how to open the trains. (NBC4)

Better buses in Tysons

Fairfax Connector will rearrange some bus routes in Tysons Corner to make them more direct. (The Tysons Corner)

VDOT likes toll lanes

VDOT wants to add toll lanes on I-66 both inside and outside the Beltway.  It would widen I-66 outside, and inside, charge rush hour tolls for non-HOV vehicles. Will it also add bus service? (WTOP)

It’ll stay short

DC historic preservation officials oppose any efforts to add floors to the MLK Library except for a single, smaller, set back floor on the top. The preservation board will only consider two of these more restrained additions. (City Paper)

Powerless merger

Plans for Pepco to merge with Chicago-based Exelon might be bad for the area. While Exelon is a much larger company that could provide more power reliability, its interests may not align with the region’s. (DCist)

New versus old

A mixed-use building like thsoe going up in Logan Circle could transform Congress Heights. But it will replace four older buildings whose tenants aren’t keen on leaving and say the landlord has mistreated them. (City Paper)

What’s the answer?

Why is there no F Street SE in most of Capitol Hill? Why do walk lights get turned around? Why do the Capitol Police search buses? What’s with the funny street names? The City Paper answers these questions and more. (City Paper)

Where it is

These ten maps about DC show where are the best transit, the most trees, the rats, the food deserts, and much more. (Post)

How will we change?

The Urban Institute’s new “Mapping America’s Futures” tool lets you explore different scenarios for how metropolitan areas will grow and shrink in population depending on the birth, death, and migration rates.

Slow train to LaGuardia

Governor Cuomo’s proposed rail link to LaGuardia actually would take longer than current buses for almost everyone. Actually, any likely alignment would also be slower than buses. (The Transport Politic)

And…

The DC Council will hold a hearing on the L’Enfant Metro incident. (WAMU) … The man who shot two people on an X2 bus has been arrested. (WMATA) … Montgomery County may follow Fairfax County and push school start times later. (NBC4)