By Wyatt Gordon (Virginia Correspondent) • March 31, 2020
After decades of railroad corporations’ stranglehold on Virginia’s rail expansion plans, the Commonwealth will now join the elite handful of states featuring a legal entity with a mandate to own, manage, and expand rail infrastructure for the public good and the benefit of businesses across the region.
By Caitlin Rogger (Policy Manager) • March 31, 2020
As “stay at home” orders are announced, and the coronavirus continues to spread, how does WMATA make sure its operators are safe, and serve the people who still rely on transit?
By Dan Malouff (Board of Directors, Editorial Board) • March 31, 2020
For decades, Rosslyn has had the tallest buildings in the Washington region. But they’re still not that tall — they max out at around 400 feet, which is well below the height of the tallest buildings in most major US cities. So why doesn’t Rosslyn have bigger buildings?
New ordinances in DC, Maryland and Virginia ask all residents to stay home, but walking, running, cycling, scooting and skateboarding are all still permissible - as long as you stay six feet apart from anyone outside your household while outside. (Mikaela Lefrak / WAMU)
The Metro board will vote Thursday on a new budget that will likely raise fares by 10 cents, extend service hours at night, and have many fewer cuts to bus routes after rider pushback. Only eight of the 50 routes once on the chopping block are likely to go. (Justin George / Post)
One of the emergency measures Governor Lawrence Hogan enacted on Monday would allow municipalities to postpone local elections or get rid of in-person voting in order to avoid dangerous crowding. Over 50 municipalities were scheduled to hold elections of some kind through June. (Danielle Gaines / Maryland Matters)
A lawsuit against DC’s Department of Corrections on behalf of four inmates in the DC Jail says that there are inadequate cleaning products and medical care provided to stop the spread of coronavirus in the facility. Already six inmates have tested positive for the virus and more than 80 are quarantined. (Mitch Ryals / City Paper)
Metro projected that Phase 2 of the Silver Line will be operational by April 2021. After some construction delays the opening date had been set to summer 2021, but Metro is moving that date up. (Fatimah Waseem / Reston Now)
Rent is due in the middle of a massive unemployment crisis, and there are online discussions about pandemic rent strikes. However, local tenant organizers warn that just because DC has an eviction moratorium in place right now, not paying rent can have long-lasting legal repercussions, if not done as part of an organized group. (Nathan Diller / DCist)
Some of the grocery store’s workers called out sick as part of a work stoppage to demand that Whole Foods offer higher hazard pay, health coverage for part time workers, sick leave for self-quarantining, and that the company close stores after workers contract COVID-19. (Melissa Howell / WTOP)
Top image: You can still run in DC, so long as you practice social distancing. Image by Elvert Barnes licensed under Creative Commons.
