Breakfast Links: Saturday’s ice storm turns tragic
Image by Lindley Ashline licensed under Creative Commons.
A dangerous Saturday morning
Icy road conditions led to several collisions around the region that claimed the lives of four and injured dozens. The worst was a 55-car pile-up on I-95 in Maryland that killed two. Even local airports saw delays. (Post)
Who’s gonna pay for Metro?
WMATA says it needs $1 billion in extra funding over three years to close an operating deficit and improve safety and reliability. The local jurisdictions know Metro is important, but aren't sure they can stomach a higher price tag. (Post)
No new Purple Line study needed
Even if nobody transferred from Metro to the Purple Line, it would still be “one of the most robust light-rail systems funded by the FTA in recent years,” the agency said in court documents. This could be enough for Judge Leon to allow the project to move forward. (Post)
Students reconsider Freedom Plaza
Students at a local charter school have some ideas about how to get people to linger longer around Freedom Plaza instead of cutting through the public space without taking notice of anything. (City Paper)
Metro apps to the rescue
Metro started allowing app developers to track trains in real time six months ago. Now, developers are creating a host of apps that can help improve riders' experiences and are revealing some interesting facts about commuting times. (Post)
Jobs, jobs and more jobs
The region added over 65,000 jobs in 2016 and is on track to see the highest number of new jobs in 12 years, largely thanks to the private sector. Some say this represents a shift away from federal spending as a driver of regional job growth. (Post)
A Northeast Corridor overhaul
The FRA endorsed some ambitious plans for the Northeast Corridor that call for running more trains, building new tracks and improving rail infrastructure. This could reduce travel times and allow trains to reach a top speed of 220 MPH. (AP. Tip: Matt Friedman submitted this to info@ggwash.org because the tips form wasn't working. He should be credited.)
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