Breakfast links: An I-270 monorail is ‘viable.’ But what would it accomplish?
Monorail in Seattle by Graham Triggs licensed under Creative Commons.
I-270 monorail is “viable” but will not reduce traffic
A study by the Maryland Department of Transportation found that a monorail line between Frederick and the Shady Grove Metro station is a “viable” option; however, the monorail would not decrease traffic on the I-270 corridor; instead, it would draw people from other transit systems like MARC. (Katherine Shaver / Post)
Arlington rents rise for the first time since pandemic began
Arlington rents crept upward for the first time since the start of the pandemic, but they’re still lower than they were before. (InsideNoVa)
Billions of federal dollars earmarked for transportation projects left unspent
As Democrats plan to bring back earmarks, Federal Highway Administration records show that almost $2.4 billion earmarks for transportation projects at least 10 years ago have not been entirely spent, and nearly $400 million have yet to be touched at all. (Ian Duncan / Post)
Militia group plots attack on the Capitol
Capitol Police are boosting security after they received intelligence that the Three Percenters, a militia group, wants to attack the Capitol today, March 4. Some conspiracy theorists believe that Donald Trump will be re-inaugurated on March 4, which was Inauguration Day before 1937. (Andrew Beaujon / Washingtonian)
Three firms shortlisted for Purple Line work
Three out of five teams have been shortlisted to finish constructing the Purple Line light rail project. The three teams are Halmar International, Maryland Transit Solutions, and Tutor-Perini/Lunda, a joint venture; a contractor will be chosen in June. (Briana Adhikusuma / Bethesda Beat)
Real estate appraisal industry begins to acknowledge racial bias
The Appraisal Institute’s leadership is beginning to acknowledge the issue of racial bias in determining home appraisal values in light of the increasing number of stories documenting racial discrimination in appraising homes. (Brentin Mock / CityLab)
Transformers spark fight over neighborhood transformation in Georgetown
A Georgetown University professor had his permit request denied by the neighborhood commission to keep two Transformer sculptures by his front door because he did not get approval from the Old Georgetown Board — but he isn’t giving up yet. (Martin Austermuhle / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.