Breakfast links: 2021 is over. Metro’s 7000-series railcar saga is not.
A 7000-series train in 2019 by MW Transit Photos licensed under Creative Commons.
Metro takes 7000-series railcars out of service again
Metro removed all 7000-series railcars from service last week after it was determined several did not pass the inspection required to safely reintroduce them. Metro’s safety commission says the trains can’t return until Metro produces a more specific safety plan. (Jordan Pascale / DCist)
Maryland residents worried Purple Line will drive higher rents
The Purple Line won’t open for several years, but there’s already concern that it will cause rents to rise in communities along its route. A coalition is working to engage the public and private sector to preserve affordable housing and small businesses along the corridor. (Katherine Shaver / Post)
Driver strikes and kills pedestrian in Tysons
A driver struck and killed a pedestrian on Chain Bridge Road in Tysons on Thursday last week, just a day after a bicyclist was struck and killed by a driver in McLean. (Angela Woolsey / Tysons Reporter)
Four Smithsonian museums were closed due to COVID-19 cases
Four Smithsonian museums are set to reopen today after briefly being closed last week due to a number of essential staff at each location testing positive for COVID-19. (Maya Pottiger / Washingtonian)
Beltway expansion design firm leader talks about toll lane project
In an interview, Transurban’s president in North America discussed the project to build a wider I-495 and I-270 in Maryland, saying the lanes will allow for better transit links across the American Legion Bridge and that the company will make an effort to move cars through the “smallest footprint” possible. (Katherine Shaver / Post)
Region’s malls were targeted for redevelopment in 2021
Newly inked deals to transform malls in the region’s into mixed-use residential and commercial developments were a major real estate trend last year, one that could bring hundreds of new housing units. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)
More rent relief for MoCo residents coming in 2022
Montgomery County’s COVID Rent Relief program closed to applications on December 31. But thanks to $34 million in incoming federal rent assistant funds, county officials say the program could reopen sometime in 2022. (Ally Schweitzer / DCist)
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