Breakfast links: Stuck on track work

Troubled track work

After weekend track work near Stadium Armory, a train making a test run got stuck on the tracks for nearly eight hours, causing significant delays on the Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines yesterday. Metro says it’s investigating the track work contractor’s quality control processes. (Post)

People are riding less

Metro ridership is down on all fronts. Compared to last year, there have been 4.8% fewer trips on Metrorail and 3% fewer on Metrobus. Weekends are worse, with a 9% decrease on Metrorail. (WTOP)

School daze in DC

The ACLU has come out against DCPS’ plan to open an all-boys school this year. They say that the school, and the Empowering Males of Color initiative behind it, is unfair to girls. (DCist)

A MARC alternative to Metro?

Could MARC supplement Metro service between Deanwood and L’Enfant with a temporary route during SafeTrack? The existing CSX tracks have been used for passenger service before. (Prince George’s Urbanist)

A tragic crash and its day in court

In 2013, a spontaneous road race on Georgia Ave killed three people in another car. Yesterday, the two racing drivers were each sentenced to 20 years in prison for vehicular manslaughter. (Post)

The bikeway goes green

DDOT has painted the protected bikeway next to Union Station green to try to communicate to pedestrians on the busy sidewalk that it’s a bike lane. (BeyondDC)

Across the river, the Red House

During the Red Scare, this community of Modernist homes outside of Mount Vernon was viewed suspiciously due to its minimalist style and setting. Frank Lloyd Wright described the style as “not wholesome.”  (Atlas Obscura)

Highlights of NYC’s Lowline

New York City’s first underground park, the Lowline, will transform a former trolley terminal. The park will have lots of natural light, thanks to advanced optical techniques. (BBC)

SafeTrack hack

This tool shows you exactly how SafeTrack will impact your Metro ride. (MetroHero)