News

Regional transportation news stories compiled by CommuterPage.com. Subscribe to a daily email with the most recent news, recent ACCS blog posts, and upcoming events. Every CommuterPage.com News email includes an "unsubscribe" link.

Survey examines the pandemic's effects on mobility in the D.C. region

Residents in the Washington region say they are likely to go back to driving once they resume commuting, but many are showing enthusiasm for biking and walking, according to a new survey that examines how the pandemic is reshaping attitudes about mobility in the area. Read more...
Lori Aratani, February 27, 2021, Washington Post

New Metro lost and found procedures go into effect Monday

Metro will only work to reunite customers with lost wallets and electronics starting Monday. Read more...
Michael O'Connell, February 26, 2021, Vienna Patch

Speed camera missing in Montgomery County

A technician who services the camera and downloads information from the unit arrived at the 4000 block of East West Highway, west of Connecticut Avenue, and found the camera missing, police said. Read more...
Camille Furst, February 26, 2021, NBC Washington

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg rode Capital Bikeshare

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg rode a bike on Thursday evening, presumably on his commute from the Department of Transportation headquarters in Navy Yard. Read more...
Jordan Pascale, February 26, 2021, dcist

15th St. needs a better bicycle connection

The current configuration relies on a two-block stretch along Lafayette Park on Madison Place and Pennsylvania Avenue, which is increasingly closed for long stretches of time and has been totally closed since January 6 as part of the expanded White House security perimeter. Read more...
Matthew Holden, February 26, 2021, GGWash

Report: Smart traffic management significantly reduces congestion and emissions

A new report from Juniper Research has found that smart traffic management will save cities $277 billion by reducing emissions and congestion by 2025. Read more...
Liz Carey, February 25, 2021, Transportation Today

Md. reveals potential toll rates for proposed HOT lanes on Beltway, I-270

Motorists using high-occupancy toll lanes planned for the Capital Beltway and Interstate 270 in Maryland would pay an average of $4 to $5 for a typical weekday trip, according to preliminary toll rate ranges released Thursday. Read more...
Katherine Shaver, February 25, 2021, Washington Post

Metro Transit Police chief says changes underway to address community concerns

The Metro Transit Police Department is making strides in addressing community concerns about policing, its chief said Thursday, highlighting efforts to rewrite policing standards, review past internal investigations and improve transparency. Read more...
Justin George, February 25, 2021, Washington Post

Metro asks customers to consider major cuts in service proposed to begin in July

When the new fiscal year begins in July, Metro will face a budget gap so big that it’s asking customers to consider some pretty serious service cuts. Read more...
Kristi King, February 25, 2021, WTOP

Support restored bicycle commuter benefits

Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon has introduced an amendment to the tax code, now under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee, to modify employer-provided fringe benefits for bicycle commuting, including use of bikeshare. Read more...
February 26, 2021, FABB

What are the potential I-495/I-270 tolls? Md. Transportation Authority gets 1st look

Motorists who use Maryland’s new High-Occupancy Toll lanes along Interstate 270 and the Capital Beltway (I-495) can expect to pay -- on average -- about $1 per mile during the morning commute and approximately $1.50 per mile to get home, according to a preliminary set of toll ranges that were presented Thursday morning to the Maryland Transportation Authority board of directors. Read more...
Bruce DePuyt, February 25, 2021, WTOP

Annapolis, battling sea level rise, sues 26 oil companies

The city of Annapolis, Md., one of the oldest state capitals in the nation, is sinking into the quickly-rising Chesapeake Bay. Read more...
Jacob Fenston, February 24, 2021, dcist

Montgomery County school buses could go completely electric by 2035

Every bus in the Montgomery County Public Schools system could be electric by 2035, according to a plan approved this week by the county’s board of education. Read more...
Jenny Gathright, February 25, 2021, dcist

Buttigieg, Alghabra commit to 'reinvigorate' U.S., Canada transportation partnership

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra will team “to fight climate change and limit the environmental impacts” from the countries’ transportation networks, USDOT and Transport Canada announced on Feb. 25. Read more...
Marybeth Luczak, February 25, 2021, Railway Age

Md. lawmaker calls for better accountability in I-495 and I-270 partnership

A Maryland lawmaker is pushing for more transparency and accountability in the I-495 and I-270 public-private partnership, as the state’s board of public works appears poised to select a contractor before environmental impact statements have been released. Read more...
John Domen, February 25, 2021, WTOP

Quarter of MCPS buses to be electric by 2024

Over the next four years, Montgomery County Public Schools will switch some of its diesel buses to a fleet powered by electricity. Read more...
Caitlynn Peetz, February 24, 2021, Bethesda Magazine

Lights out in Montgomery County on busiest stretch of I-270

For reasons unknown, dozens of overhead lights are either out or flickering dimly in the stretch between the Democracy Boulevard exit and the exit for Shady Grove Road. Read more...
Jackie Bensen, February 24, 2021, NBC Washington

Rebuilding infrastructure would bring jobs, improve economy, Hogan tells Congress

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan told Congress on Tuesday that rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure would create jobs and help the nation’s economy recover from the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more...
Dick Uliano, February 24, 2021, WTOP

Environmental critics tout bills for oversight of Beltway-270 toll lanes plan

As plans move forward for the addition of toll lanes on part of the Beltway and Interstate 270 in Maryland, some state lawmakers are backing a pair of bills that would put the plans under a microscope. Read more...
John Aaron, February 24, 2021, WTOP

Senator withdraws budget amendment over Metro station name

A Virginia state senator is withdrawing her budget amendment that could have cost the D.C. region’s Metro system more than $165 million if it didn’t add the name of Capital One bank to a Northern Virginia Metrorail station. Read more...
February 24, 2021, WTOP

Metro's wallet could lose $166M in Capital One dispute

A Virginia Senate budget amendment would block the D.C. region’s Metro system from receiving at least $166 million in state funding unless it adds the name of Capital One bank to a northern Virginia Metrorail station. Read more...
February 24, 2021, WTOP

Senators announce bill to renew federal funding for WMATA

U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) announced Thursday that they had introduced a bill to renew federal funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for the next 10 years. Read more...
Liz Carey, February 24, 2021, Transportation Today

Beltway surface abrasion underway to prevent accidents, speeding

After a number of serious accidents on a dangerous stretch of the Capital Beltway in Montgomery County in recent months, highway officials have made changes to the road surface -- scuffing it up, on purpose. Read more...
Adam Tuss, February 23, 2021, NBC Washington

DC police search for suspect in Metro platform shooting

D.C. police are looking for a suspect after a man was shot Tuesday afternoon on the Anacostia Metro station platform. Read more...
Jack Pointer, February 23, 2021, WTOP

New federal legislation could help people purchase e-bikes

As President Biden gears up to give electric car buyers a federally subsidized discount, advocates are urging Congress not to forget the other electric vehicle that can do far more to save the planet: the humble electric bicycle. Read more...
Kea Wilson, February 23, 2021, GGWash

Way back when, Reagan National was among busiest airports in world

The world has changed: In 1961, the airport (then plain old “National”) recorded just 4.7 million traveling through its terminals, but that was enough to rank sixth highest in the Western world. Read more...
February 23, 2021, Inside NoVa

DC bus drivers combat social distancing concerns 2 months after union pres. died of COVID

Seven On Your Side heard complaints from school bus drivers at the New York Ave and Kendall lot in Northeast D.C. about inadequate social distancing. Read more...
Sam Ford, February 22, 2021, WJLA

Bill proposal reauthorizes WMATA capex, provides $50MM for more oversight

Slated for release this week: Legislation that will reauthorize Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) annual funding for the next ten years and include additional funding tied to safety, oversight and governance reforms. Read more...
Marybeth Luczak, February 23, 2021, Railway Age

Residents in the region want to walk and bike more, and drive less after COVID-19, a "Voices of the Region" survey suggests

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), which represents elected officials and transportation agencies in the DC metro area, conducted the survey to inform its update to the regional transportation plan, Visualize 2045. Read more...
Bill Pugh, February 23, 2021, GGWash

Here's what Metro would have to do -- and not do -- to get $50M more each year from the feds.

The senators who represent Maryland and Virginia want to give Metro $50 million more in federal money every year. Read more...
Tom Roussey, February 22, 2021, WJLA

Maryland DOT, Transportation Authority select developer for American Legion Bridge

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced Thursday they had selected Accelerate Maryland Partners, LLC, to be the developer for the American Legion Bridge I-270 to I-70 Relief Plan. Read more...
Liz Carey, February 22, 2021, Transportation Today

Montgomery Co. bill calls for help clearing snowy sidewalks

Montgomery County At-Large Council Member Evan Glass is introducing a bill that would require the Maryland county to help clear snow and ice-covered walkways during the winter months. Read more...
Scott Gelman, Dick Uliano, February 22, 2021, WTOP

Fans of Beltway plan see 'seamless' travel with MDOT contractor pick

Transportation advocates and business interests in the national capital region have long dreamed of extending Northern Virginia’s Beltway toll lanes across the Potomac River and into Montgomery County -- preferably using the commonwealth’s established vendor, Transurban. Read more...
Bruce DePuyt, February 22, 2021, WTOP

Amtrak is growing. Will it finally get the subsidy it deserves?

Amtrak is aiming to de-prioritize profitability and focus on radically expanding its service with the help of the next infrastructure bill -- and help intercity rail take its rightful place as an essential component of our public transportation ecosystem, rather than quasi-private afterthought. Read more...
Kea Wilson, February 22, 2021, Streetsblog USA

Federal agency to revise design for Union Station overhaul, criticized for being too focused on cars

The Federal Railroad Administration has temporarily halted its analysis of the proposed redevelopment of Union Station to revise key parts of the plan, particularly a controversial parking garage planned as part of the overhaul. Read more...
Luz Lazo, February 20, 2021, Washington Post

Opinion: Stop speeding through life -- and our roads

It’s quite simple: We speed because our roads and motor vehicles are designed for speeding instead of safety. Read more...
February 18, 2021, Washington Post

MDOT chooses Transurban for I-495/I-270 project

The Maryland Department of Transportation and the Maryland Transportation Authority have chosen a consortium led by Transurban to handle the first phase of a major highway project in Montgomery County, the agencies announced Thursday afternoon. Read more...
Bruce DePuyt, February 18, 2021, WTOP

Metrobus reduces service in response to severe weather

Beginning at noon on Thursday, Metrobus will only operate on major roads in response to hazardous conditions, icy roads, and snow in the region. Read more...
Jenny Gathright, February 18, 2021, dcist

Metro Inspector General recommends transportation improvements to better accommodate people with disabilities

Metro should make several changes to improve transportation for people with disabilities, according to a report issued Wednesday by the inspector general of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Read more...
Debbie Truong, February 18, 2021, dcist

Autonomous shuttle linking part of Capital Riverfront with Barracks Row, Capitol Hill

Boston-based Optimus Ride, operator of boxy, autonomously driven passenger shuttles, has launched a service connecting part of Capital Riverfront to Barracks Row and Capitol Hill. Read more...
Jeff Clabaugh, February 18, 2021, WTOP

Report: Outdated MetroAccess GPS doesn't make trips faster

MetroAccess vehicles may be making some trips harder for the disabled community because of outdated GPS and scheduling systems. Read more...
Adam Tuss, February 17, 2021, NBC Washington

Eight people shot near Olney Transportation Center

According to police, the gunshot victims range in age from 17 to 71 years old. They were taken to area hospitals where six are listed in stable condition and one is in critical. Read more...
February 17, 2021, Fox5

What DC-area commuters expect out of post-pandemic transportation options

A vast majority of people in the D.C. area believe human actions contribute “at least some” to climate change, and 92% agree that local leaders need to consider the impact of climate change when planning for transportation in the future. Read more...
Kristi King, February 17, 2021, WTOP

Rapid COVID testing expected to begin at Dulles, Reagan airports in March

In an effort to give people more confidence to fly in commercial planes again, the head of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced Wednesday morning that rapid COVID testing is expected to launch at Dulles and Reagan National next month. Read more...
Tom Roussey, February 17, 2021, WJLA

Working from home likely to stick around, study shows

Working in D.C. will continue to look different for the greater part of this year due to the coronavirus, a new study shows. Read more...
Adam Tuss, February 16, 2021, NBC Washington

32 Metro stations are getting new escalators

Some 130 escalators in 32 Metrorail stations will begin getting replaced starting this May. Read more...
Abigail Constantino, February 16, 2021, WTOP

D.C. faces a startling question: What if office workers don't come back?

In pre-pandemic times, Steven Weinstein was like hundreds of thousands of  other Washington-area commuters. Every weekday, he went from his home in Centreville, Virginia, to his office at 16th and L streets in downtown D.C. Read more...
Martin Austermuhle, February 16, 2021, dcist

COVID Relief Bill: What's in it for passenger rail?

Here’s a closer look at the provisions and what they could mean for agencies, advocates and riders alike. Read more...
David Peter Alan, February 16, 2021, Railway Age

Buttigieg sets goals for electric, automated freight vehicles

Newly sworn-in Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is planning to embark on ambitious priorities for electric and automated freight fleet vehicles as part of the Biden administration’s overall goals for combating climate change. Read more...
Alex Gangitano, February 17, 2021, The Hill

15 states sue over Trump plan to limit automaker fines on emissions standards

A group of 15 attorneys general is petitioning the courts to block the Biden administration from fulfilling automakers' last minute request to the Trump administration to limit penalties for those who do not meet emissions standards. Read more...
Rebecca Beitsch, February 16, 2021, The Hill