Welcome to the my Web site, v. XII. The blog is typically published Monday - Saturday. My primary topics tend to be the Nats, Penn State (esp. football), BeltwayLand, transportation, media, photos and more. The rest of the site gets updated as warranted and is noted on the blog.
1 day after talking to bloggers, Metro's Catoe announces resignation - William World News
Thursday, January 14, 2010
1 day after talking to bloggers, Metro's Catoe announces resignation
Catoe stepping down after three years at the helm - Not even 24 hours after he sat down with leading D.C. bloggers, including my former colleague Tom Bridge of We Love DC, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority General Manager John Catoe announced he would resign on April 2. The move signals the end of Catoe's rocky 3 years as WMATA head saw the nation's second largest subway system suffer its worst accident on June 22 (Red Line crash is worst Metro accident ever ), several employees killed on the job, a number of suicides on the tracks and worsening service. To blame Catoe, a D.C. native, for these incidents would be unfair, but he has not been able to reverse the trend. Catoe's career was more focused on buses than rails which may have hindered his time in charge. His quote about the safety problems becoming "an unhealthy distraction" is telling though. Safety problems are not what I call a "distraction." Ultimately though, the problems of an aging system and the economic crisis has been Metro's biggest problems.
As soon as I heard the news, I wondered if Dan Tangherlini would be a candidate to replace Catoe. In 2006, Tangherlini was interim general manager of Metro to great acclaim. He wanted the job permanently, but when the WMATA board wanted an extended search, Tangherlini took a job with the Adrian Fenty administration (Tangherlini leaving Metro to return to District government). I remember when Tangherlini left I told a few people that he might get another shot someday. I don't envy him if it is now though, the outlook for Metro is grim on just about all fronts.
Traffic reports used to originate from the Washington Monument - William World News
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Traffic reports used to originate from the Washington Monument
30 years of steering you home - WTOP The dean of D.C. traffic reporters Bob Marbourg celebrated his 30th anniversary as a traffic reporter yesterday. Congratulations to him, but the most interesting part of the story was that before he took the job, traffic reports used to come from a department of transportation employee stationed on top of the Washington Monument. That's pretty cool and just about impossible to imagine these days with traffic stretching up to 40 miles away from the monument now, but back that then it was pretty resourceful.
Back to Marbourg, what do you suppose the odds that he and morning traffic reporter Lisa Baden have a rivalry with each other?
I thought Northeast Pa. liked NY teams: GO YANKEES on I-81 variable message sign - William World News
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
I thought Northeast Pa. liked NY teams: GO YANKEES on I-81 variable message sign
PennDOT: "Go Yankees" Sign Inappropriate for Interstate - WNEP A variable message sign along Interstate 81 near Pittson, Pa. (not far from the home of the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees) said "GO YANKEES." The sign, typically used for traffic information, is owned by a contractor, Barletta Construction. I wonder if they are at all connected to Hazleton mayor Lou Barletta. Anyway, this supports my theory that Northeast Pennsylvania skews more towards New York teams like the Yankees and Giants than they do to Philadelphia teams. Of course, during my two years in Northeast Pennsylvania, the Yankees were just starting their most recent dynasty, so that may have made a difference.
VDOT can't spell 40th president's name - William World News
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
VDOT can't spell 40th president's name
Next Exit: Reagen Nat'l Airport - NBC Washington The Virginia Department of Transportation is replacing big green guide signs along Interstate 395 and made a big mistake, two actually. Now, far be it for me to knock somebody misspelling something, but VDOT put up "Reagen National Airport" instead of "Reagan National Airport." The airport was renamed by Congress in honor of President Rongald Reagan in the late 1990s, a decision fraught with irony.
Most Washingtonians, regardless of their feelings about the 40th president, still call it National. If anything, it is good way to determine how long someone has been in the area by what they call the airport.
As for the other mistake, the clearview typeface on the signs. I've mentioned before I don't like it and prefer the old highway gothic fonts.
Water taxi service to Nationals Park has begun - William World News
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Water taxi service to Nationals Park has begun
Nationals Navy? Water taxi offers river ride to games - WTOP At last water taxi/ferry service has begun to Nationals Park, the September after the venue opened.* Fans can get on the boat at Alexandria and head up the Potomac and Anacostia rivers for $20. I am looking forward to doing this sometime next season in good weather. Hopefully, it can grow into one of the great D.C. experiences.
*Reminds me of MASN going on Comcast on the same time-frame.
In which find a similiarity between New York and West Hazleton, Pa. - William World News
Monday, August 31, 2009
In which find a similiarity between New York and West Hazleton, Pa.
NEW YORK -- When I was student at Penn State Hazleton, many of us often passed an intersection that had a "WAIT FOR GREEN" sign next to a traffic light in West Hazleton. Obviously, this from the Redundant Department of Redundancy Department, so we we made fun of the borough of West Hazleton/PennDot for posting it. As much as I like New York, I have to poke fun at them now too.
Maybe next time, they'll post the more appropriate DELAYED GREEN sign and spare themselves my mockery.
No toll for cyclists on Ocean Drive bridges - William World News
Thursday, August 20, 2009
No toll for cyclists on Ocean Drive bridges
AVALON, N.J. -- In Cape May County, a series of roads connecting the barrier islands all the way to Atlantic City are known as Ocean Drive (Wikipedia). The "Follow the Gull" signs direct motorists to a thru route that avoids the mainland. The route has a number of drawbridges over inlets connecting the islands. There are tolls between the islands though, likely so that Ocean Drive won't be used as an free alternative to the Garden State Parkway, not too mention bridge upkeep.
When I started going to Seven Mile Island for extended stays again, I started making sure I had my bicycle with me. The first year, I decided to cross off the island, I asked the toll taker if I had to pay a toll. I was pleased to learn that I did not. It is a good thing too -- tolls are now $1.50 which is more expensive than the Parkway I believe. This year I wound up biking across the bridges between Stone Harbor and North Wildwood as well as the bridge between Avalon and Sea Isle City. I also drove across those bridges in addition to the one between Sea Isle City and Ocean City when I went for a drive with my son to get us out of the house on cleaning day.
The project will expand six lanes to 12, between Exits 6 and 8A and will add two lanes to the 10 between 8A to Exit 9. Car and truck traffic will be separated, and the expansion is expected to ease one of the more crowded roadways in the region, currently used by an average of 680,000 drivers each day.
"On any given Friday that merge can back up 10 miles," said Gutierrez-Scaccetti, "On a holiday it can back up for 12."
Officials at the Turnpike Authority say the expansion is the most ambitious in the history of the 58-year-old highway. It is part of a larger, $7 billion capital plan announced earlier this year by Corzine that also includes a widening of the Garden State Parkway.
Basically, this extends the dual-dual lane configuration all the way to the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange (technically the Pearl Harbor Memorial Extension). Left unsaid in the article is the realignment of Interstate 95 onto the far eastern end of the Pennsylvania Turnpike to meet the mainline NJ Turnpike at interchange 6. That project, which was mandated by Congress in 1982 after the Somerset Freeway was canceled between Trenton and Edison, will finally complete I-95. By the way, back when I was an underclassman in college, I exchanged a few emails with the lead project engineer on the Pennsylvania project and they are now just getting close to getting shovels in the ground. He acknowledged they were not thrilled about having to build this interchange because NJ didn't build 30 miles of I-95. I can see their point, but they should have built a direct connection there anyway.
Also, I have not confirmed, but suspect that a redesigned interchange 8 near Hightstown will mean a connection to NJ 133 instead of NJ 33.
New Shirlington Connector signage - William World News
Monday, July 06, 2009
New Shirlington Connector signage
ARLINGTON, Va. -- Signs were recently added to the new Shrlington Connector portion of the Four Mile Run Trail, but they could be better. For one thing nothing is signed as the Four Mile Run Trail which is silly because the Shirlington Connector makes the trail continuous. Eastbound cyclists leaving Shirlington for Glebe Road get pretty good signing, but those headed westbound still have some guess work. One highlight is the map at the end of the W&OD Trail, located about half a block across Shirlington Road from the Connector.
A similar map should be installed on the opposite side.
The group, TysonsTunnel.org, has been pushing for an underground route through the area. It is teaming up with the environmental group, Sierra Club, to file the suit.
A national watchdog group is expected to join the suit.
Scott A. Monett, president of TysonsTunnel and the vice chair of the Sierra Club's Great Falls group, won't name the watchdog group, but does say it's a "good governance group."
Again, too little too late. While I would have preferred an underground Metro line through Tysons Corner for long term cost and aesthetic concerns, I can live with an above ground one. The mobilization for making sure the Silver Line was a tunnel came years too late. This suit, if it does not get thrown out, will just add years to the construction and millions to the cost.
Silver Spring seems to do just fine with the Red Line elevated through it, so I think Tysons will too. Crystal City gets by with having an airport and at-grade railroad adjacent to it as well and nobody seems to mind.
Wilson Bridge Trail: State/city borders are 75% great - William World News
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wilson Bridge Trail: State/city borders are 75% great
OVER THE POTOMAC RIVER -- On my initial ride along the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail, I did not see anything marking the borders between Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland. On my second ride, I was pleased to see that some were there. The line seperating Maryland and D.C. is shown above. However, there is a problem with D.C. and Virginia:
Virginia is covered up by warning stripes! Oops. Obviously, this is not a high priority, but I would like to see it corrected. Virginia residents paid for it too, so we should get our state clearly represented.
I would also like to see the border painted on the walls too.
The Wilson Bridge trail is wonderful - William World News
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
The Wilson Bridge trail is wonderful
LOOKING WEST -- Foreground: Pedestrian signal for the drawspan. Background: Overlook and Wilson Bridge Trail
OVER THE POTOMAC RIVER -- Last Saturday, the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge trail opened and on Monday, I bicycled on it for the first time. I thoroughly enjoyed my it, the trail is a triumph for several reasons.
The trail, located on the northern bridge span (which actually carries I-95/495 SOUTH/WEST also known as the Capital Beltway's Outer Loop), is a comfortable 12 feet wide and enclosed by attractive fences on either side. The height of the fence on the river side is such that I can still see out, but not feel like it is too low. On the highway side, the fence is slightly lower, but reasonable. The grade of the trail, while steeper than the highway portion of the bridge on the Virginia approach, is barely noticeable. The pavement, concrete, is perfect, but that is too be expected.
By itself, the trail is great, but the inclusion of information signs about local history and ecology and landscaping on each shore make it more than a non-motorized transportation corridor -- it is a linear park. There are also three overlooks on the span that provide more information signs, some mounted binoculars/telescopes and benches and northern views of Alexandria and Washington D.C. The magnification on some of the telescopes are stunning, so much so that I if I lived along the Alexandria waterfront, I might keep the blinds closed.
On the Virginia side, the trail begins at the Washington Street deck which essentially a large overpass, that the Beltway travels under, with park like features. Additional trails to US 1 and the Mount Vernon Trail are adjacent connect here. Embedded compass-like wayfinders provide riders/walkers with guidance to these points.
On the Maryland side, the trail corkscrews on either side of the overpass spanning Capital Beltway (I-95/495). It looks steeper than it feels and is aesthetically pleasing. The overpass also includes a great deal of information about Prince George's County's early history as well as some ecological information. The trail diverts from the Beltway in direction of a trail to Oxon Hill Road and National Harbor. Upon entering the National Harbor property the pavement ends, something that will hopefully be rectified soon. There are unpaved trails all the way down to the completed National Harbor area that are annoying but were not a deal-breaker for me.
Even though it was a Monday, there were a fair amount of cyclists and pedestrians on the bridge. I chatted with a few, including a Park Police officer, about the project and the consensus was that this was an extremely well done project. There were lots of smiling cyclists on it. The only drawback seemed to be the lack of connections to other trails on the Maryland side, something that will have to be addressed by National Harbor and PG County. However, the biggest and hardest piece of the project is now complete and hopefully the connections will arrive soon. The stakeholders of the project, the Federal Highway Administration, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, the city of Alexandria and Prince George's County deserve a lot of praise for this latest and perhaps greatest addition to the area's trail network.
The bike trail on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge is actually along the inner loop and not the outer loop. Thus you are looking at the City of Washington and not away from it.
# posted by Anonymous :
Monday, February 08, 2010 12:20:00 PM
Post a CommentGov. Rendell still pushing for tolls on I-80 in Pennsylvania - William World News
Friday, May 29, 2009
Gov. Rendell still pushing for tolls on I-80 in Pennsylvania
Rendell: Congress should remove restrictions on tolling of interstates - Post-Gazette There he goes again -- Gov. Ed Rendell wants Congress to give Pennsylvania and other states the ability to establish tolls along highways. Interstate 80 which runs through the northern half of the state has heavy out-of-state traffic. This leads to people with no familiarity of highway funding to believe that out-of-state drivers do not contribute to the roads maintenance costs. This is fiction of course, since American motorists are responsible for 90% of interstate highway funding that is collected primarily through a national sales tax on gasoline. State gas taxes tend to fund the other 10%. in short, all American drivers pay for interstate roads. Politicians, like Rendell and a previous recent governor, Tom Ridge, apparently do not understand this either. Both called for tolls on I-80. I have even created a label called I-80 so you can follow along.
American motorists and taxpayers have paid for I-80 for over fifty years. If Pennsylvania wants to toll the road or any other previously "free" interstate highway, they should have to reimburse the highway trust fund for all costs associated up until this point. If that happens, I have no problem with them putting tolls up. I'd laugh and call Pennsylvania "the toll booth state" too. It is worth noting too that Pennsylvania got more funding from the Federal Highway Trust Fund throughout the 1990s than any other state. Of course, much of it was sent to the Altoona area by Bud Shuster, who ruled the powerful infrastructure committee that allocated highway funds. Congress shouldn't give Pennsylvannia a free pass because they spent the money poorly. If Pennsylvania wants more highway funding, they ought to increase their statewide gas tax appropriately.
Garden State Parkway's Driscoll Bridge now 15 lanes - William World News
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Garden State Parkway's Driscoll Bridge now 15 lanes
Multi-year Driscoll Bridge project completed - Asbury Park Press How about this for a birthday present Brad? Your favorite bridge, the Alfred E. Driscoll Bridge, has just had its rebuilding completed. Instead of being a meager 12 lanes, it is now 15 (steep) lanes wide. Now the Garden State Parkway has the widest bridge in the nation.
Cheaper Northeast Corridor Amtrak this summer - William World News
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Cheaper Northeast Corridor Amtrak this summer
Amtrak cuts Northeast fares 25 percent for the summer - Bloomberg/The Inky This summer many one way fares to New York from D.C. will be $49. This is pretty good news, since I have been thinking of spending an afternoon up there to catch up with a few people. This is also good news for people trying to take a daytrip to catch a ballgame, like we did last year.
By the way, the construction of the northern end of i-99, a high speed interchange with I-80 (CDT) is encountering local resistance. It is not funded yet, so the resistance is not a big deal -- yet.
By the way, the i-99 shields on big green signs were not directly applied, they are on a green panel and look sloppy.
District will pay to keep Metro open for late Nats games - William World News
Thursday, April 23, 2009
District will pay to keep Metro open for late Nats games
In Change, City Will Cover Metro Fees for Late Night Games - The Post This morning, I wrote a post about the District's decision to stop paying Metro to keep the trains running after Nats games that go past regular closing time. I had it scheduled to go live at 10 a.m. However, the District reversed the decision:
In an about-face, a top District official says the city will cover the costs for Metro to extend its hours to accommodate ticket holders at Washington Nationals games that are rain-delayed or go late because of extra innings.
"We want people to have a wonderful time at the games and not be stranded on the way out," Deputy Mayor Neil O. Albert said today.
Albert's comments came after District transportation director Gabe Klein informed Metro officials in a letter last week that the city would no longer pay the late-service fee because of the city's budget difficulties. Team officials said they did not find out about the change in policy until Monday night, when a rain delay pushed the game past Metro's midnight closing.
Albert said the confusion about the city's payment of late-service fees was the result of "one part of the administration not communicating with another part of the administration."
This should not be too big a deal, given the 1-3 times a year this tends to happen. The front office ought to keep this in mind next time though, rookie pitcher or not.
On Monday, April 13, the regular season home opener for the Washington Nationals, Metro will start afternoon rush hour service at 1 p.m., a full two hours before the start of the baseball game. Metro expects to carry about 20,000 people to and from Nationals Park for the 3:05 p.m. game against the Philadelphia Phillies. With the game expected to conclude between 6 and 7 p.m., Metro will be operating rush hour service on all rail lines to accommodate the crowds.
Metro reminds everyone attending Monday’s home opener to expect large crowds at the Navy Yard Metrorail station, and the two main transfer stations to the Green Line, Gallery Place-Chinatown and L'Enfant Plaza. Metro will have personnel and Transit Police at all three stations.
Following the game, Metro volunteers sporting Nationals gear will be at the Navy Yard Metrorail station to remind patrons to check their SmarTrip card or farecard to ensure they have enough money to enter or exit the Metrorail system.
THe ride home could be a little hairy, maybe I can bum a ride off of someone back to Pentagon City where I am going to park.
"To do it right, we ought to start it at the King Street station, go all the way up King Street through Alexandria, go through Bailey's Crossroads, pick up the light rail passengers at Columbia Pike so that you would tie into the light rail system that Arlington County is proposing, and then extend this system through Bailey's, through Seven Corners and connect it to the Metro system at Tysons Corner.
Sure, why not? I have a feeling this won't go anywhere, but if it had its own right-of-way like Moran wants, it would work. The thing is where is the money and oh yeah, some folks in Alexandria might not want it encroaching on their property along King Street.
Some I-66 widening in Arlington now funded - William World News
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Some I-66 widening in Arlington now funded
Funding Passed for Widening Of I-66 - The Post One part of the I-66 widening inside the Capital Beltway (I-495) has been approved -- extending the on-ramp from Fairfax Drive along the westbound lanes all the way to EXIT 69 Sycamore Street.
The move reversed a decision by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board last month to strip the $75 million project from the region's transportation plan. Yesterday, the swing votes were cast by two Fairfax County supervisors, Catherine M. Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) and Linda Q. Smyth (D-Providence), who last month had voted against the project.
In exchange, the Virginia Department of Transportation assured the board that no further funding for the I-66 project beyond the first phase would be committed until several studies are completed. But, as some board members pointed out, that is not much of a concession, because the state does not have money to fund the other two phases of the project anyway.
They might as well not do anything until they extend that lane all the way to EXIT 67 Dulles Access/Toll Road. As for the transit alternatives that some Arlingtonians want there is one coming -- the Silver Line. When I lived in Pentagon City, I have happily have taken Metro to Tysons everyday instead of driving.
Arlington funding initial planning of Columbia Pike streetcars - William World News
Arlington funding initial planning of Columbia Pike streetcars
Streetcars and desire in Arlington - WTOP Arlington County will spend $3 million over "two years to to look at ways to fund, construct, operate and maintain a streetcar system" along Columbia Pike (VA 244). Initially, I was skeptical of streetcars on Columbia Pike, but after going to a workshop about two years ago, I have come around on them. They certainly have more cachet than buses too.
Currently, Columbia Pike is the busiest bike corridor in the Commonwealth. Hopefully, this does get built and if/when it does, headline writers will have outgrown their need to invoke a certain Tennessee William's play/film every time the topic comes up.
How the Silver Line Metro is going to be built - William World News
Monday, March 16, 2009
How the Silver Line Metro is going to be built
Metrorail Heading In a New Direction - The Post Details of what the Silver Line construction through Tysons Corner is going to be like over the next several years. It won't be much fun, but the payoff is huge.
...the real action will start in a matter of days about 15 miles to the west, where demolition of roads and bridges and heavy construction of overhead piers will become an unwelcome fact of life during the next six years for commuters and residents of McLean, Tysons Corner, Vienna and beyond. The result, boosters say, will be worth it: a public transit system serving the region's primary international airport and Virginia's most prosperous jobs corridor.
Today's ceremony at the Transportation Department's headquarters near the Washington Navy Yard featured a roster of local, state and federal luminaries seeking to revel in -- and take credit for -- the project's success. Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.), Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and former senator John Warner (R-Va.) were among those attending.
Emphasis added by me. This is long overdue and much needed. The next few years in Tysons may not be fun to commute to and from but it is not like it is right now.
The second phase of the project from Whiele Ave. to Ashburn still has some hurdles to clear.
Project Web site: Dulles Metrorail Project I like the headline and the tone of this blog post which includes the backstory of the last year -- make sure you read it.
The I-66 project would connect a series of acceleration and deceleration lanes, effectively widening the westbound road from two to three lanes between Fairfax Drive and Sycamore Street and expanding it between Washington Boulevard and the Dulles Airport Access Road from three lanes to four.
That is exactly what I suggested they do four years ago, but it was voted down by Metropolitan Washington Council of Government's Transportation Planning Board. Not surprisingly, Arlington members voted against it, but "the swing votes during Wednesday's meeting turned out to be Fairfax County's. Both of Fairfax's representatives on the panel, county supervisors Catherine M. Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) and Linda Q. Smyth (D-Providence)." I do not understand why they cast the votes they did.
Arlington is rightfully proud of developing a well-zoned, pedestrian and transit oriented community that sets a standard for new urbanism. I loved living in Arlington for this reason. I do not believe I am alone in that situation. The "Arlington vs. the other suburbs" attitude has got to go -- a lot of us would live in Arlington if it were more affordable.
I would have benefited from this widening as a pro-transit Arlington resident who "reverse commuted" by car from Pentagon City to Tysons everyday for five years. What makes this widening so desirable was that it would not need to remove any houses and would not detract from the transit. I could see the need to possibly detour a few sections of the Custis Trail, but it would not be significant. This would be a sensible project and I hope it is resurrected.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- I was contacted by a traffic engineer in Utah and asked if I could offer my thoughts of the HAWK signal near my condo. I said, "sure, but I'll blog about it." My observations are based on unscientific anecdotal evidence. Most of them occurred around 6:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
When it comes down to it, I don't think the city of Alexandria picked a very good location to test the HAWK signal program. One side (west) of N. Van Dorn Street has no sidewalk and is bordered by a fence separating it from I-395, so the only foot traffic on that side of the street is from people using the N. Van Dorn St./ Maris Ave. bus stop.
The west side stop is not utilized much during the morning since the majority of bus passengers use the east side stop to catch buses to the Pentagon. Thus, I do not believe the HAWK is activated much in the morning.
The evening seems to be the primary time for the HAWK's use. If I used that bus stop and needed to cross N. Van Dorn, I would appreciate having the HAWK there. N. Van Dorn is a heavily traveled four-lane undivided highway with a 40 MPH speed limit.
If I used one of the other crosswalks nearby, I'd be annoyed mine was not selected and the one at Maris Ave. was chosen.
Only one crosswalk has a walk signal, though the city plans on fixing that I believe.
Maris Ave. only has a stop sign. To me it would make sense to have a red beacon that is solid during the pedestrian phase.
Drivers are not aware that is permissable to go during the flashing phase if pedestrians are no longer present.
In conclusion, this HAWK signal installation is not an ideal prototype for the city of Alexandria as its utility is limited by its location. I suspect that bus commuters appreciate it in the evening though.
David Manning, Ridgefield Press. I'd like to know... what's a HAWK signal?
# posted by Anonymous :
Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:47:00 AM
DM: I added a link to an earlier post. Basically, a HAWK signal is a type of pedestrian signal that is being tested out in several communities across the country.
# posted by WFY :
Thursday, January 15, 2009 12:01:00 PM
Post a CommentSilver Line gets final USDOT approval - William World News
After a series of regulatory setbacks in 2008, rail to Dulles was revived last month when the Federal Transit Administration discarded long-standing skepticism about the project's cost and management and sent it on to Peters for final action. Yesterday's news marks what state, local and congressional boosters said is the government's irreversible approval of the project.
All that remains for a sixty day comment period in Congress and then presumably the project is officially underway. Planned completion of the first phase of the line, between Whiele Ave. in Reston and West Falls Church is 2013. It will be thirty years too late, but better late than ever.
Alexandria signage is lacking - William World News
Monday, January 05, 2009
Alexandria signage is lacking
In a few hours, Alexandria is having an open house to discuss new signage in the city.
The purpose of the open house is to share progress on the citywide sign program and solicit input from residents regarding refinement of the designs. Members of the design team, the stakeholder advisory group, and city staff will be on hand to answer questions and record input.
Mostly, the plan seems to talk about touristy information (PDF) signs, but if I was going (it is in a few hours and I can't make it) I would bring up the woeful state of primary numbered routes in the city. If you look at a map, several streets are actually state routes.
Did you know Quaker Lane is VA 402? Seminary Road is VA 420 and Van Dorn Street is VA 401, but only a few trailblazers inform you of this fact and none from other streets. Actually, I have never seen a VA 420 sign.
To me, posting the numbers on a map but not on the road or any of the connecting roads is not only pointless, but misleading to motorists unfamiliar with the area. This is a distinction that is not limited to Alexandria either as you will see in future blog posts. The city of Alexandria should start posting useful trailblazers for all numbered routes at regular intervals and major intersections. This also includes routes like VA 7 and VA 236, King and Duke Streets, respectively. If the city is not interested in doing that, it ought to ask mapmakers to stop putting the numbers on maps.
The state highway department could take the lead by posting the route numbers on the I-395 exit signs. I had no idea that Seminary Road even had a number. I remember seeing a 402 sign on Quaker, but that number should be on the interchange sign.
# posted by Simon Oliver Lockwood :
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 1:01:00 PM
Simon: I don't think it does any good to post route shields on the big green signs if there are little or no trailblazers along the acutal route. For example, Braddock Road in Fairfax County is also Route 620, but I don't think there are any 620 trailblazers along Braddock Road, even though the BGS on the Beltway have them.
# posted by WFY :
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:50:00 PM
Driving back from some early Christmas celebrations with my wife's family last night, we hit a delay on US 22/322 eastbound, near Dauphin. Apparently, this is what happened:
A wrong-way crash Sunday night on U.S. Routes 22/322 near borough Dauphin sent nine people to local hospitals.
State troopers say Timothy Kinert, 51, of Harrisburg was driving east in the westbound lanes and is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.
Troopers said Anthony Krakowski, 44, of Halifax, was driving west at 7:10 p.m. in the left lane approaching the Dauphin exit when he encountered Kinert's vehicle heading toward him.
Krakowski steered toward the right lane to avoid a head-on crash, but the left front of his vehicle was struck by Kinert's vehicle, troopers said.
The Impact caused Krakowski's vehicle to spin in a counter clockwise direction, and it was struck by a westbound vehicle driven by Larry Mensch, 71, of Milton.
Troopers said Kinert's vehicle continued to head east and spun across both lanes before it struck a concrete retaining wall, troopers said. Troopers said the vehicle continued to spin around, crossed back over both lanes and hit the barrier that separates the east and westbound lanes.
That could have been very nasty. As for us, I got off at PA 225 and tried to find a way back to US 22/322 eastbound, but that is just about the worse place for something to happen since Blue Mountain is in the way. After spending 15 minutes trying to find a way out, I turned around with the intention of going back over the Clark's Ferry Bridge (which is kind of an oxymoron, no?) and then down US 11/15. Fortunately, the traffic eastbound had cleared by then. Westbound though, US 22/322 was backed up all the way to PA 39. That could not have been fun.
DDOT asks for 11th Street Bridge to be I-695 - William World News
Friday, December 05, 2008
DDOT asks for 11th Street Bridge to be I-695
According to birthday boy Steve Anderson's dcroads.net, the 11th Street Bridge in Southeast D.C. will be likely renumbered to I-695 as part of the new interchange with the Anacostia Freeway. Historically, the 11th Street Bridge (technically the Corporal Kevin J. Walsh Memorial Bridge) has been I-295, though it is not really signed that way. Current signs suggest that I-295 ends/begins at the 11th Street Bridge with DC 295 continuing northbound. The Southeast Freeway east of I-395 is technically I-695, but it has never been posted. I wonder if the extension of the I-695 designation means we will finally get to see some I-695 shields posted. The reason I-695 may not be posted is to avoid confusion with Maryland's I-695 which is about 31 miles north of the 11th Street Bridge via Anacostia Freeway/Baltimore Washington Parkway. Seeing two different interstate highways only 31 miles apart could add to motorist confusion I think, though both D.C. and Baltimore have freeways called I-395. Only one road, I-95, intersects both I-395s though and those interchanges are 60 miles apart.
The Federal Transit Administration approved the extension, which now heads to U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and the Office of Management and Budget for final sign-off. Approval from the FTA, where regulators had attacked the proposal as too expensive and poorly managed, is widely viewed as a critical moment for a project that local and state officials say is crucial to relieve traffic and spur economic growth at Tysons Corner and along the Dulles corridor.
Feds approve first phase of Dulles Rail project - WTOP This is great news for our region, this is a badly needed project. Hopefully Peters and OMB will sign off soon and the construction can really get going.
# posted by Paterno Lives! :
Thursday, December 04, 2008 9:51:00 AM
It will be elevated through Tysons Corner and in the median of the Dulles Toll/Access Road for the rest of the way, except at the airport I believe.
# posted by WFY :
Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:19:00 PM
Post a Commenti-99 finally opened yesterday, but... - William World News
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
i-99 finally opened yesterday, but...
I-99 open to all traffic - CDT i-99 is now a continous route between just north of the I-70/76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) near Bedford and near I-80 north of Bellefonte. The new section, opened yesterday (two days after the last Penn State football game naturally), does not have all four lanes open though.
Former Rep. Bud Shuster, who pushed for i-99 and got the designation written into law (setting precedent and expanding the role of Congress) was at the opening. Apparetly, left unsaid was an apology to drivers and taxpayers for legislating away envirornmental testing. The highway was delayed for years and ran up about $80 million of extra cost due to necessary environmental remediation. It is said he has not been accountable at all for his behavior.
Back when the I-99 pyrite problem was first discovered at Skytop (ca. 2003?), scientists in Penn State's Materials Science Dept. shrugged and said, "We told you so." They had warned that the substance existed in the area of the proposed alignment and, if exposed to the elements, would lead to sulphuric acid runoff problems. Sure enough, nearby residential wells were soon found to be contaminated. But that's no obstacle for Uncle Bud, right? Environmental concerns? Why, we'll just legislate those away! The cost overruns on this project boggle the mind.
# posted by Anonymous :
Saturday, December 27, 2008 9:21:00 PM
i-99 will apparently be done by Thanksgiving - William World News
Sunday, November 09, 2008
i-99 will apparently be done by Thanksgiving
Planned I-99 opening date announced - CDT PennDot is planning on opening all lanes of i-99 at Skytop two days before Thanksgiving. I will believe it when I drive on it.
'HAWK' is an acronym for High intensity Activated crossWalK. These signals have been used safely and successfully in Tucson, AZ. for more than five years. The signal is currently ‘experimental’ and required approval from the Federal Highway Administration but is expected to be adopted into standard traffic engineering manuals in the near future.
The HAWK is technically a "beacon" in that it remains dark for traffic unless a pedestrian activates the pushbutton. When the pedestrian presses the button, approaching drivers will see a FLASHING YELLOW for a few second, indicating that they should reduce speed and be prepared to stop for a pedestrian in the crosswalk.
The FLASHING YELLOW is followed by a SOLID YELLOW and then by a solid RED, requiring them to STOP at the stop line. At this time, the pedestrian receives a WALK indication on the associated countdown timer. Visually impaired pedestrians will hear the signal indicate that it is safe to cross. At the end of the WALK indication, the pedestrian is displayed a FLASHING DON’T WALK indication and motorist sees an ALTERNATING FLASHING RED. During this period, motorists are required to STOP or remain stopped until pedestrians have finished crossing the street, and then may proceed.
The HAWK signal is located at N. Van Dorn Street and Maris Ave. I finally checked it out the other day.
Some observations:
Only one of the two crosswalks has pedestrian signals assigned to it which limits the usability of the signal.
There is no signal for Maris Ave. If it were up to me, I'd have a red light that would be active when the pedestrian signals are in use.
I do not think this HAWK signal will get used very much since the sidewalk on the southbound-lanes side of N. Van Dorn Street is really just a segment near the bus stop. I suspect almost all of its use will be during the evening rush.
Alexandria plans to install about a dozen of these throughout the city. It will be interesting to see where they turn up and how long until they are approved by FHWA for use every where. I expect Arlington to start putting a lot of these in if FHWA lets them. PREVIOUSLY:Odd traffic signal
i-99 northbound now open through Skytop - William World News
Friday, October 31, 2008
i-99 northbound now open through Skytop
Traffic flows over section of Skytop - CDT Another milestone in the poorly executed i-99 project is complete -- northbound is now continuous through Skytop. The road narrows to one lane at one point, but the highway's northbound is now continuous from Bedford County to just south of I-80. Both directions of the highway is supposed to be complete by Thanksgiving, but I'll believe it when I see it.
By the way not a plan for the interchange with I-80 and locals are divided over what would be the best design. It seems like a moot point since there is not any funding though.
Union Station centennial photos - William World News
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Union Station centennial photos
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This past weekend, Union Station celebrated its first century by displaying old locomotives and trains on the Gate B platform. Locomotives and cars from the Pennsylvania, Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O), Baltimore & Ohio (B&O), Southern and Atlantic Coast Line railroads were featured. Some of the cars allowed visitors too. The locomotive I really wanted to see, a New York Central 20th Century Limited Hudson was not featured because the were all regrettably scrapped.
The lighting, nothing more than work lights that you might use to paint your bathroom, left something to be desired. I used low light and night-time settings to get my shots. As always, the photos are SOOC (straight out of camera). Hopefully, they will find a reason to do this again in the future and have a little better lighting.
Not that I need an excuse to go to Union Station - William World News
Friday, October 03, 2008
Not that I need an excuse to go to Union Station
This weekend is the 100th anniversary celebration of Union Station. For some reason, the Union Station Web site does not mention this, but an AP/USA Todayarticle does. Some details:
The centennial celebration is Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, noon-4 p.m. The free event will feature an exhibit of historic locomotives and passenger cars from the heyday of rail travel, as well as modern Amtrak equipment. Visitors will be able to walk through the cars and even buy souvenir stamps inside an old railway post office car. Archival photos of the station will also be on display.
My parents took us to the reopening 20 years too. I love Union Station; it is probably my favorite building in the District. The National Cathedral probably places second.
I was all ready to call Pennsylvania the "tollbooth state" too.
Now, it seems likely that the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be privatized which still does not make much sense over the long term to me. Once again, as Jay Hancock suggested, this is a "pernicious national trend: transforming public utilities into private monopolies."
Adding onto the gas tax probably makes the most sense to cover funding shortfalls, but I doubt enough people have the political courage to make that decision.
Riding the rails of the Northeast Corridor - William World News
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Riding the rails of the Northeast Corridor
I have used "Northeast Corridor" as one of my blogger labels for some time now. I use it as a way to organize posts about the Washington-to-Boston corridor since cities like Philadelphia and Boston don't get enough coverage here to warrant their own label. I could use it for The District as well, but I figure it is redundant. Anyway, the actual Northeast Corridor is the electrified railroad tracks between Union Station, Washington D.C. and South Station, Boston. I have been along it via NJ Transit and MARC trains and alongside of it on the PATH and of course I-95 and its spurs and loops, but never on Amtrak, which succeeded the Pennsylvania Railroad as the carrier along the line. We determined that it was the most practical way to make our trip to Yankee Stadium.
I ordered our tickets online at amtrak.com and was surprised to see that the standard fare was significantly less than the AAA fare. So, if you are going to be using Amtrak, make sure you check and don't just use AAA or another discount out of habit. For a 6:20 a.m. departure from Union Station and a return trip from Penn Station at 7:55 p.m. it cost $196 total for the two of us. There was a $19 parking fee for that duration at Union Station as well.
The train left right on schedule and and proceeded through New Carrolton, BWI Airport, Baltimore, Aberdeen, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, New Brunswick, Metropark (Iselin), Newark and finally into Penn Station. I enjoyed looking out the window and "seeing everybody's backyard" as my father put it, as a different view of the major cities we passed through. Naturally, I had my camera out and uploaded about three dozen shots of the journey.
It is hard to beat the convenience we experienced on the ride up. The train puts you right in the transportation heart of Manhattan with several subway lines and other trains available. You can't get that driving or even taking the bus and forget flying. We hopped on the 2 line and switched to the 4 in the Bronx. The snack car was also reasonably priced compared to other travel, no wonder Amtrak is having funding shortfalls.
On the way back, it was dark, so taking photos proved to be impossible for me. We ran into trouble too -- overhead wires were malfunctioning, possibly from a fire. That led to single-tracking between Wilmington and Aberdeen which added an hour to our return trip. Ah, deferred maintenance, you are just as bad as I have heard. Even with that, I was pleased overall with the decision to take the train, and will strongly consider it again, although they need to bring back names like the Yankee Clipper for these trains, which would be fantastic.
THE BRONX -- I can't help be amused to see the superintendent for the subway station next to Yankee Stadium has the same name as the long-time Speaker of the House from Massachusetts.
Or perhaps, I could turn the question around and say, MTA, how could you?
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- When I returned from the Shore, I noticed that there were two mast arms hanging above Van Dorn Street at the Maris Ave. intersection. I mentioned to Erica that I thought they were putting a traffic signal in, but she mentioned a pedestrian signal would make more sense.
A few days later, I saw this odd configuration attached to the arm -- pairs of two reds on top of single yellows. I'm guessing Erica is correct in that it is a pedestrian signal and not a traditional traffic signal. It is a weird one though, I have never seen anything like it. I assume the two reds will flash to stop traffic and allow pedestrians to cross, while the yellow will flash to allow traffic to proceed. I guess it makes sense since Maris Ave. is a dead end street and not heavily traveled.
Bro, you need to read the documents that the condo board sends you. It is a high intensity crosswalk or "HAWK." He is one of the buggers in action courtesy of youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReNk2T5ay1c
# posted by your brother :
Wednesday, August 06, 2008 2:01:00 AM
Also, don't take pictures while you're driving, it isn't safe.
# posted by your brother :
Wednesday, August 06, 2008 2:03:00 AM
Post a CommentHey Brad, your favorite bridge is on schedule - William World News
Monday, July 28, 2008
Hey Brad, your favorite bridge is on schedule
Driscoll Bridge work is on pace for 2009 finish - Star-Ledger Brad will no doubt be thrilled to know that the reconstruction of the Driscoll Bridge complex is on schedule to be completed next May. When it is done, there will be a total of three bridges carrying 15 lanes (with shoulders) of the Garden State Parkway and US 9 traffic across the Raritan River. Heading north, it is a gateway to North Jersey; heading south it is the gateway to the Shore.
i-99 on schedule to open 4 years, $79 million late - William World News
Thursday, July 03, 2008
i-99 on schedule to open 4 years, $79 million late
I-99 set to open by year's end - CDT The latest update on i-99 progress -- it is expected to open before the end of the year, but after football season. Parts of the new section may be limited to one lane each way until next spring too.
Don't forget that this delay may have been avoided had standard environmental testing not been exempted by a rider placed by Bud Shuster, then chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, in an omnibus spending bill. By the way, Shuster has not responded to repeated inquiries from CDT reporter Mike Joseph to talk about this situation.
Schrag on Silver Line reversal - William World News
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Schrag on Silver Line reversal
Recently, I reached out to George Mason University history professor Dr. Zachary Schrag for commentary on the Federal Transportation Administration's decision to continue funding the Dulles Corridor Metro line. He was kind enough to provide some commentary:
At this point, the history of the Silver Line has been marked by such tangles of planning, engineering, architecture, finance, and politics that it rivals in complexity the decision to build the original Metro system. I am not going to write a book on the subject, but I hope someone else takes up the challenge.
Schrag wrote The Great Society Subway about Metro. In it, he argued that building the Orange Line to Tysons in the first place might have made more sense.
Penna. Turnpike lease proposal information - William World News
Monday, May 19, 2008
Penna. Turnpike lease proposal information
Spanish firm offers $12.8 billion to lease turnpike - The Inky Gov. Ed Rendell released plans to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike to a Spanish company. I still don't understand how doing this makes sense other than providing an initial windfall. I hope it does not go through.
New Jersey and Delaware are thinking of doing the same thing to their turnpikes a. I hope it does not come to that because as Jay Hancock suggested, this is a "pernicious national trend: transforming public utilities into private monopolies."
The state assumes that they will make sufficient interest/returns on the windfall that they can do all kinds of bridges, roads, and transportation infrastructure upgrades on annual basis. But like you, I am skeptical that this will work out.
# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Monday, May 19, 2008 6:14:00 PM
On the way to Blue White we drove up the new section between Bald Eagle and Skytop. It was functional, but the Port Matilda interchange had very steep ramps.
Its resurrection is a triumph of common sense over dogma and suggests that, contrary to the general impression of the state of governance in Washington, rational outcomes remain possible when grown-ups put their heads together. More specifically, it is a testament to the wisdom and perseverance of officials at Metro, which would operate the 23-mile extension; the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which would manage its construction; Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.), who spearheaded the lobbying with Transportation Secretary Mary Peters to reverse what had seemed like the feds' unequivocal rejection; and Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D).
Let us hope this cooperation continues on what may be a bumpy ride on the way to making this Metro line happen.
More details on Dulles Corridor Metro - William World News
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
More details on Dulles Corridor Metro
Dulles Rail Gets Federal Approval - The Post As expected (since this morning at least), USDOT announced today that it is now supporting the proposal to build the Silver Line along the Dulles Corridor.
In a letter to Kaine and in a 10 a.m. conference call with the governor and Virginia congressional leaders, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said the $5 billion project had finally met the Federal Transit Administration's standards for cost efficiency, construction and expected ridership. The project will now move into the final design phase, a major step toward receiving $900 million in federal funding.
"As a result of the collaboration between federal and state officials, the project sponsor and other project stakeholders, the financial stability and oversight of the project has improved," Peters wrote to Kaine in a letter obtained by The Washington Post. "Cost reductions have been verified and mechanisms have been established to enhance inter-organizational cooperation, technical capacity and project management."
Good news, but this isn't fait accompli just yet:
Still, Peters went on, "much work remains" to make the project right. Today's approval comes with conditions that must be met if the project is to receive federal funding. Without that money, state and local officials have said that the project would die, ending the possibility of a long-sought rail connection between the nation's capital and its major international airport. Supporters say the line would ease congestion through Virginia's biggest jobs corridor and keep the economy humming with the transformation of suburban Tysons Corner into a thriving downtown.
Among the conditions, Peters said in her letter, is a sweeping demand that Virginia and the Metro system guarantee the capital investment necessary to maintain and operate Metro. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority recently identified $489 million in "urgent unfunded capital needs," Peters said.
Dulles Rail Set to Get Federal Approval - The Post Apparently, Virginia and the U.S. Department of Transportation has found a way to make the Dulles Corridor Metro project, tentatively called the Silver Line, meet the "Federal Transit Administration's standards for cost efficiency, construction and expected ridership." It appears U.S. DOT secretary Mary Peters overruled FTA. Good job, Peters that was the correct decision.
This is excellent news, I am glad that we can finally get started on a project that is long overdue.
Now, we get to see the tunnel vs. elevated argument start up again. I would love to see it underground, but I don't see that happening at this point.
Expand the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel? Duh. - William World News
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Expand the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel? Duh.
Transportation head calls for study of a wider Hampton tube - The Virginia-Pilot It is self evident that the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (I-64/US 60) is insufficient at four lanes wide. While a second crossing, the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel (I-664) opened in the early 1990s to provide relief, it is out of the way for drivers headed to Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Now, VDOT is acknowledging that building an additional tube is worth studying. People who live by the existing HRBT are not excited about it, but don't move next an interstate highway unless your are willing to see your property become eminent domain.
I head down that way about once year to visit my cousin and his family. I probably split my trips about 50-50 between the two tunnels. I would like to see a new Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel tube(s) funded, but only after the Silver Line.
Privatized Penna. Turnpike on the way? - William World News
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Privatized Penna. Turnpike on the way?
Rendell expects to name turnpike lessee soon - The Inky Good news -- tolls on the federally funded Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania may not happen. The bad news is the reason why they won't happen.
Gov. Ed Rendell is still pushing to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike which essentially transforms a public utilities into private monopoly.* I am really skeptical that these things are good long-term deals for government or consumers. I may have to start shunpiking when I head to Happy Valley.
Busy sports night in D.C., plan accordingly - William World News
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Busy sports night in D.C., plan accordingly
There are three sporting events (Nats, Wizards, United home games) going on in the District tonight, so there are a few things to keep in mind.
Nats Express parking will be in Lot 7 at RFK, not Lot 8 because D.C. United has a home match.
A few stops along the Green Line may be crowded, especially Gallery Place/Chinatown
Single-game parking can be bought online at the Nationals Way to Go page. There are apparently plenty of spots available. I think selling parking online is an excellent way at handling traffic management too.
There is no need to get all worked up about this or the Nationals attendance right now. I know that goes against our instincts as cynical, overreacting Washingtonians, but this whole thing is all going to work itself out. Just allow a little extra time and enjoy.
All told, there will probably at least 55,000 fans at three different venues tonight. Go Nats! Go Wiz! Go United!
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- There are a couple of things I like about these new overhead signs on I-395 North (Southwest Freeway). The control city of "Capitol Hill" makes sense and seeing "Nationals Park" makes me smile. "Nat'l Mall" is also very useful. I also like that exit numbers are finally being rolled out on I-395 North, though I would have just continued the Virginia numbering. I suppose the appeal of exit 1 being for US 1 makes it okay though. Up until the renumbering of the Virginia side of the Capital Beltway, the Virginia exit to US 1 was exit 1. While that was lost, the US 50 exit in Virginia became exit 50, so it was a wash.
One other thing, I'm pleased the didn't use the Clearview typeface.
To me it looks like the left lane is for Nationals, the middle lane is for Park Verizon and the right lane is for Center.
# posted by dl004d :
Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:07:00 PM
The spacing is definitely off, they should have just made a taller sign and had three lines for the control cities.
# posted by WFY :
Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:43:00 PM
Post a CommentUS 11/15 & PA 581 interchange rebuild begins - William World News
Friday, March 07, 2008
US 11/15 & PA 581 interchange rebuild begins
Work starts on deadly U.S.15/Route 581 ramp - Patriot-News Construction on one of the more annoying and dangerous interchanges on one of the roads to Happy Valley has started. Within 75 days, the cloverleaf ramp from US 15 North to PA 581 West/US 11 South will be closed, replaced by a signalized left-turn lane. It will be safer, but is not ideal. I was hoping there would be a flyover ramp from US 15 North to PA 581 West/US 11 South, but as noted previously, PennDOT's cost-benefit analysis determined it wasn't worthwhile.
I believe they will have to reevaluate that decision within five years of the interchange's reconstruction.
RHP Garrett Mock, acquired with Chico in the LIVAN! trade, pitched two innings, giving up an unearned run. He is not expected to make the majors this spring.
Chico was the latest player featured in an washingtonpost.com video:
For Johnson, An Exhibition Of Pure Joy - The Post Johnson avoids another collision - AP/Florida Today 1B Nick Johnson played his first competitive baseball game since Sept. 23, 2006 last night. Johnson told 3B Ryan Zimmerman that he "Slept in my uniform last night." He also fielded a fly ball much like the one that resulted in his collision with RF Austin Kearns. By the way, Jim Bowden is already hinting a trade of either Johnson or Dmitri Young.
Nats Lose First Battle Over New Stadium - WTOP The District defeated the Nationals in arbitration over "ancillary items at the new stadium, such as golf carts, fork lifts, and medical and office equipment." That will save the city $4.2 million. I don't understand why the team was trying to get that from the city.
Do you wonder what it is like to be a sports photographer?
washingtonpost.com's Nationals RSS feed made its monthly/quarterly appearance in Google Reader at 1:18 a.m. this morning. I had 41 total headlines dating back February 10.
Dulles Rail faces new bids - The Wash. Examiner Del. Dave Albo, R-Springfield and Del. Joe May, R-Leesburg inserted language into a budget bill that would force the first leg of the Silver Line to be rebid. Given the shady way the project was put together, that sounds reasonable.
Minority Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (Va.) sent Transportation Secretary Mary Peters a letter this week, saying: "It is vitally important that this project move forward. Open dialogue between Virginia and the Department of Transportation will make certain that lawmakers are best able to alleviate the burden of increasing traffic congestion and transportation demands across the entire national capital region."
It is good to see someone from outside of Virginia getting involved too.
Catoe stepping down after three years at the helm - 
Metro, WMATA,Mass Transit, John Catoe, Dan Tangherlini
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