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.

Thanksgiving weekend Metro schedule: Single-tracking, closures

Here's what to expect if you're taking the Metro this weekend. Read more...
Alessia Grunberger, November 27, 2020, Takoma Park Patch

Possible legal challenges pose cost risks for Maryland toll lanes proposal

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has said the state can expand the Capital Beltway and Interstate 270 at no net cost to taxpayers because the private sector will build billions of dollars of toll lanes in exchange for keeping most of the revenue. Read more...
Katherine Shaver, November 27, 2020, Washington Post

State expects I-495/I-270 widening to proceed despite Navy's opposition

Although the U.S. Navy has spoken strongly against Maryland’s I-495/I-270 widening project, state officials said they remain “confident” they can work out a deal to help make it happen. Read more...
Briana Adhikusuma, November 25, 2020, Bethesda Magazine

Weekend Road and Rail: Blue Line shutdown; roadwork reduced

The Blue Line will see a shutdown between Franconia-Springfield and King Street-Old Town for signal upgrades. Read more...
Mary DePompa, November 26, 2020, WTOP

Thank you. Yes, you!

Everyone in this bicycling community supports each other in so many ways, and we here at WABA are grateful for all of you: advocates, riders, volunteers, neighbors, and friends. Read more...
Colin Browne, November 26, 2020, WABA

26 DUI arrests made in first round of 2020-21 alcohol crackdown

The Alcohol Holiday Task Force arrested 26?? people for driving under the influence during a four-day period in Montgomery County. Read more...
Alessia Grunberger, November 25, 2020, Takoma Park Patch

Bicycling made 2020 a little better

During the pandemic, this community brought the joy of bicycling to more people than ever before -- and made our region a better place to bike in a time when we really needed it. Read more...
Greg Billing, November 25, 2020, WABA

Driving badly in DC? You might get a warning text.

If you’re a driver piling up traffic tickets, some researchers believe that you’re at a higher risk of being involved in a serious crash. But if those traffic violations happened in DC, you might get a warning first. Read more...
Libby Solomon, November 25, 2020, GGWash

Amtrak's enhanced cleaning strategy ahead of holiday travel

Amtrak says it has taken additional steps to ensure cleanliness and safety for those traveling during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more...
Valerie Bonk, November 25, 2020, WTOP

USDOT announces first-ever plan targeting pedestrian injuries, fatalities

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) said its recently released Pedestrian Safety Action Plan seeks to address the reduction of pedestrian injuries and fatalities on America’s roads. Read more...
Douglas Clark, November 25, 2020, Transportation Today

Driving top choice for Thanksgiving travelers in D.C. area: AAA

Thanksgiving travel usually means congested roads, mass delays and long lines at airports, but the pandemic has many Americans staying home. Read more...
November 25, 2020, NBC Washington

Millions of Americans stick to Thanksgiving travel plans despite warnings

About 1 million Americans a day packed airports and planes over the weekend even as coronavirus deaths surged across the U.S. and public health experts begged people to stay home and avoid big Thanksgiving gatherings. Read more...
November 25, 2020, Fox5

Md. and Purple Line contractors settle lawsuit, will move forward with reivised partnership

A lawsuit between the state of Maryland and the Purple Line’s private contractor partners has been settled out of court, paving the way for a smoother future for the beleaguered light rail line. Read more...
Jordan Pascale, November 24, 2020, dcist

WMATA pulls 6000-series railcars after second train separation in two months

Metro is pulling all its 6000-series railcars from service after a train separated Tuesday afternoon on the Red Line. The event bears similarities with another recent separation, the agency said in a statement. Read more...
Daniella Cheslow, November 24, 2020, dcist

12 passengers evacuated after Metro train separates while in service on Red Line

No passengers were hurt in the second uncoupling incident since October. Read more...
Justin George, November 24, 2020, Washington Post

Take action: Connecticut Ave. needs continuous, safe, protected bike lanes

The District Department of Transportation is considering removing the Connecticut Avenue reversible lane and redesigning the street from Chevy Chase to Woodley Park. We have a real opportunity to make the street safer, comfortable for biking, and a more vibrant, livable main street. Read more...
November 24, 2020, WABA

White Oak's first delineated bike lanes

Really late to this but earlier this year Montgomery County announced the first "protected bike lanes in White Oak," even though I don't think a lot of readers of this blog would call them "protected." Read more...
November 24, 2020, WashCycle

Amtrak releases FY 2020 data

Amtrak reported today preliminary results for fiscal year 2020 (October 2019-September 2020), including an operating loss of $801.1 million due to the pandemic. Read more...
Marybeth Luczak, November 23, 2020, Railway Age

Study: Free transit doesn't reduce driving -- but does increase local business support

A new study finds that commuters with access to free public transportation don’t drive any less -- but they do take more leisure and shopping trips than those who have to pay a fare, which could help provide local economies with the cash they need to provide more social services. Read more...
Kea Wilson, November 23, 2020, Streetsblog USA

TSA screens 2M flyers in two days after warning against travel

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has screened more than 2 million flyers on Friday and Saturday, in the two days after the federal government issued a warning against Thanksgiving travel. Read more...
Justine Coleman, November 22, 2020, The Hill

FBI investigating armed robberies of DC-area delivery drivers

Armed carjackings and robberies of commercial delivery drivers in parts of D.C. and Maryland have triggered an FBI investigation. Read more...
Matt Small, November 21, 2020, WTOP

US Navy strongly opposed to Capital Beltway widening project

In a tersely-worded letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation, the U.S. Navy served notice that the state should not plan on gaining control of “any” military property in Bethesda for the widening of the Capital Beltway (I-495). Read more...
Bruce DePuyt, November 21, 2020, WTOP

D.C. Council weighs making it easier for e-scooter riders to collect damages after crashes

Scooter and e-bike riders in the District could soon have a greater chance of collecting damages when they are involved in collisions with vehicles. Read more...
Luz Lazo, November 20, 2020, Washington Post

Studies show riding transit during pandemic is pretty safe

As coronavirus cases surge nationally, many scientific studies are reassuring essential workers that it’s largely safe to take public transportation (if they use basic precautions) -- and reminding Washington that it’s past time to give transit agencies the relief they need. Read more...
Kea Wilson, November 20, 2020, Streetsblog USA

18% of D.C. households use a bike once a week

Some interesting facts from the Transportation Planning Board's Regional Travel Survey. Read more...
November 20, 2020, WashCycle

In D.C., a resident tracks the flying machines hovering above on the city's 'helicopter highway'

D.C. resident Andrew Logan calls his neighborhood the city’s “helicopter highway.” Some evenings, whirlybirds of unknown origin seem to descend en masse. Read more...
Justin Wm. Moyer, November 20, 2020, Washington Post

Metro board approves budget cuts, buyouts as pandemic dents agency's budget

Metro board members unanimously approved service cuts and a buyout plan Thursday aimed at avoiding as many layoffs as possible as the transit agency faces a $176 million budget shortfall due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more...
Justin George, November 19, 2020, Washington Post

Planning process for Army Navy Drive changes nearly complete

After five years, Arlington County is putting finishing touches on its Complete Street plan to improve walking, biking and driving conditions along a stretch of Army Navy Drive in the Pentagon City area. Read more...
Jo DeVoe, November 18, 2020, ARLnow

Metro board votes to change frequency of trains

The Metro board voted Thursday to close a budget gap by changing how often trains run. Read more...
Adam Tuss, November 19, 2020, NBC Washington

Metro budget crunch will mean less frequent trains, but not earlier closing time

Metro riders may soon have to wait a bit longer for a train, but won’t have to worry about the mass transit system closing down earlier than usual. The changes come as Metro faces a massive budget gap. Read more...
John Aaron, November 19, 2020, WTOP

Study: Drivers more reckless when their cars have more 'safe' AV tech

Automated vehicle technology was supposed to end car crashes forever — but a new study suggests that the more autonomous a car gets, the more reckless its driver may become, negating many of the technology’s safety benefits to vulnerable road users when “smart” cars make mistakes. Read more...
Kea Wilson, November 20, 2020, Streetsblog USA

DC Bike Ride is off this year, but organizers still want you to pedal for a purpose

Every year, the District shuts down some of its busiest streets for a few hours so bicyclists can pedal around the city without worrying about traffic. But this year, because of the pandemic, the DC Bike Ride has been called off. Read more...
John Domen, November 19, 2020, WTOP

DC-area residents staying put for Thanksgiving because of pandemic, AAA says

A majority of residents in D.C., Maryland and Virginia will not be traveling this Thanksgiving, in large part because of the coronavirus pandemic, AAA reports. Read more...
Anna Gawel, November 19, 2020, WTOP

Tysons Corner and Prince George's Plaza Metro stations are getting new names

Two Metro stations will be renamed, following a vote of the Metro Board of Directors. Read more...
Margaret Barthel, November 19, 2020, dcist

D.C. Council wants to bring oversight to Metro Transit Police

An effort to bring civilian oversight to WMATA’s police force is moving forward in the DC Council -- but to make real change, council members will have to get Maryland and Virginia lawmakers on board. Read more...
Libby Solomon, November 19, 2020, GGWash

Metro employee shot in apparent road rage attack

A Metro employee was shot in Virginia Wednesday evening during an apparent road rage incident, WMATA says. Read more...
November 19, 2020, NBC Washington

Federal transportation funds will help renovate roads and statues on DC bridges

Who’d guess a mural on the road could help improve safety at intersections? Some are going to get painted on curb extensions in D.C., compliments of federal transportation money helping fund seven projects in the city. Read more...
Kristi King, November 18, 2020, WTOP

How regional transportation hubs are preparing to keep travelers safe on Thanksgiving

Despite officials and experts advising against it, some locals will still be traveling for Thanksgiving. Read more...
Matt Blitz, November 18, 2020, dcist

Downturn in U.S. driving led global CO2 decline

U.S. cars and trucks, the source of 5 percent of world carbon emissions, have accounted for a whopping 20 percent of this year’s global dip in carbon pollution, according to comprehensive emissions data compiled by Carbon Monitor and recalculated by me for the Carbon Tax Center. Read more...
Charles Komanoff, November 18, 2020, Streetsblog USA

D.C. may mandate electric vehicle infrastructure in new and renovated buildings

A bill going through Council would require that at least 20% of parking spots in new or renovated commercial and apartment buildings have the infrastructure to allow for future electric vehicle charging. Read more...
Jordan Pascale, November 18, 2020, WAMU

Scooter and e-bike riders face a nearly impossible legal bar after crashes. A bill could change that.

Before 2016, if you were a pedestrian or bicyclist who was hit by the driver of a car in DC, if even 1% of the incident was your fault you couldn’t collect a cent in damages. Read more...
Libby Solomon, November 18, 2020, GGWash

FCC votes to open airwaves devoted to road safety to WiFi

The Federal Communications Commission voted Wednesday to open a new chunk of the airwaves for wireless Internet, a step designed to immediately make it easier for people to get online but which critics say could imperil future highway safety technology with the potential to save thousands of lives a year. Read more...
Ian Duncan, November 18, 2020, Washington Post

Md. will seek new Purple Line concessionaire if talks with original firms fail

The Maryland Transit Administration plans to pursue another public-private partnership to complete the Purple Line and operate it long-term if the state doesn’t reach a deal with the initial concessionaire over cost overruns, a top state transit official said Tuesday. Read more...
Katherine Shaver, November 18, 2020, Washington Post

Reagan National, Dulles won't fully recover from pandemic passenger drop until 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on air travel demand will bring 10 straight years of passenger growth at Reagan National and Dulles International Airport combined to a screeching halt this year, and it will be years before passenger levels return to pre-pandemic levels. Read more...
Jeff Clabaugh, November 18, 2020, WTOP

Delta to block middle seats through March

Delta is extending its commitment to blocking middle seats on flights through March 2021, the airline announced on Wednesday. Read more...
Alex Gangitano, November 18, 2020, The Hill

FAA lifts ban on Boeing 737 Max

The Federal Aviation Administration lifted its ban on the Boeing 737 Max on Wednesday, 20 months after the aircraft was grounded following two crashes within five months that killed 346 people. Read more...
November 18, 2020, Washington Post

Biden to enlist Agriculture, Transportation agencies in climate fight

President-elect Joe Biden is eyeing the departments of Agriculture and Transportation as key partners for achieving his climate goals, exciting progressives by broadening efforts beyond traditional environmental agencies. Read more...
Rebecca Beitsch, November 18, 2020, The Hill

With ridership down 85%, here are the money-saving measures Metro will vote on this week

Metro's board of directors is expected to vote this week on budget cuts that are significant but less severe than the transit system's general manager first proposed months ago. Read more...
Tom Roussey, November 16, 2020, WJLA

Want more recreational space? Now is your chance to let the District know.

DC is looking for input on the master plan that will shape the city’s parks and recreation for the next 20 years. Read more...
George Kevin Jordan, November 17, 2020, GGWash

Covid testing before flying could become the norm as airlines try to boost confidence and woo travelers

With no federal mandates to follow, an increasing number of U.S. airlines and airports are offering preflight coronavirus testing to boost public confidence in flying during the pandemic and help restore their businesses. Read more...
Lori Aratani, Ian Duncan, November 17, 2020, Washington Post