Breakfast links: Infrastructure

Too fast

The NTSB found that high speed played a role in yesterday’s Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia. The train was moving at 106 mph, twice the speed limit. The cause for the speed is unknown. The current death toll is up to 7. (CityLab, Post)

Bad timing

Despite Tuesday’s crash, the House Appropriations Committee cut Amtrak’s funding by $251 million. House Republicans argued the cause of the derailment wasn’t known, so more funding would be premature. (WAMU)

MoCo’s branch begins

Mongomery County will begin construction on part of the Metropolitan Branch Trail in Silver Spring. The trail should eventually connect Silver Spring to Union Station. (WABA)

Sexy buses

13 new hybrid buses will replace older members of the DC Circulator fleet as early as next week. Eventually the entire fleet will move to fully electric buses. Bonus: the new buses have USB charging ports. (Post)

Budget blows

The DC Council voted against Mayor Bowser’s plan to raise DC sales and parking taxes. The Council also rejected adding body cameras to Metropolitan Police officers, stating MPD isn’t “logistically prepared” for such a program. (Wash. Times)

No cause for celebration

Even though this year’s count showed a 6% decrease in homelessness, Human Services Chief Laura Zellinger still thinks DC has “an unacceptably high number of homeless residents.”  (City Paper)

CaBi saves cash

Capital Bikeshare is the most cost effective way to commute. Compared to peak Metro fares and the cost of a taxi, bikeshare does well, even for some longer rides. (Washingtonian)

Damaged

The Small Business Administration has estimated that damage to 285 Baltimore businesses during the riots resulted in is valued up to $9 million. City officials have yet to release their official numbers. (Post)

Making transit happen

The athletic company New Balance is paying for a new commuter rail station to serve their headquarters in Boston. Similar partnerships could expand transit, even with tight government budgets. (The Atlantic)

Poor placement

The location chosen for President Obama’s library would build over a portion of a park designed by famed Central Park landscape architects Olmsted and Vaux. Residents fear the library could destroy the historic amenity. (CityLab)