BREAKING: Democrat Shelly Simonds appears to win Virginia House seat by A SINGLE VOTE, according to preliminary unofficial recount results.
Would mean 50-50 split of House.
Judge panel must certify results. Legal challenge probably coming.
Did not get to see the Harry Styles Tiny Desk, but he did linger by my desk for a second.
Overheard him saying he liked the open office plan, making Harry Styles the first person in history to like open office plans.
NEW: Metro says it will open the Silver Line extension on Tues. Nov. 15.
The long-awaited six-station, 11.5-mile extension connects to Dulles International Airport and puts Metrorail into Loudoun County for the first time. The new terminus, Ashburn, is 30 miles from D.C.
#WMATA
Safer Intersections Act passes first vote at D.C. Council 13-0. The bill:
- Bans right turn at red lights at ALL traffic lights by 2025. D.C. would be 2nd city after NYC to do it.
- Allows cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs if the intersection is clear of peds, vehicles
Metro says the Silver Line extension has had more than 1 million trips since it opened in November.
The number of riders using the Silver Line to get to Dulles Airport is five times higher than those using the old 5A bus.
NEW: National Park Service says it will keep Upper Beach Drive closed to vehicles, and open to people YEAR-ROUND.
Previously, they said they'd keep it closed to vehicles just from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Previous coverage:
DDOT and WMATA are partnering for a new type of automated camera: bus lane and bus stop enforcement cameras. And the fine is likely to be a big one: $200.
Metro officials say the red-painted bus lanes only work if they are free and clear of vehicles.
Since I'm petty/can check receipts, this viral tweet absolutely didn't happen.
- She tweets at 12:28 p.m.
- Train left Dupont at 12:23:12 p.m.
- Same train arrives at Woodley at 12:26:06 p.m.
- That's 2 mins, 54 sec. Fastest human in the world couldn't make the 1.1-mile run
Would a $400 rebate for an e-bike entice you to get out of your vehicle?
D.C. council is pitching the idea, with an emphasis on serving low-income residents with up to $1,200 for an e-bike.
A new hotel that just opened in NoMa, the Morrow, is pitching its rooftop as a destination for rail fans with views of Union Station rail yard and Metro. The rooftop bar doesnโt open until March though.
After 20 years of journalism, WAMU/DCist is my last stop.
It's been a privilege to interview so many interesting people and write stories for four communities in three states over my career.
But now feels like the right time to try something new.
Breaking:
#WMATA
is proposing some of the grimmest cuts in its 50-year history. If approved, service cutbacks starting July 2021 include:
- No weekend train service
- Trains every 30 mins on each line
- Close 19 stations
- Close at 9 p.m. instead of 11
New gingerbread-themed Metro bus and train designs just dropped. ๐You'll find four buses and a train out on the system in December.
They look tasty, but don't try to eat 'em! Happy holidays!
D.C.drivers be like: โYou think the Beltway is your ally? You merely adopted traffic congestion. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see free-flowing traffic until the pandemic, by then it was nothing to me but a speedway! The Beltway betrays you because it belongs to ME."
The People's Convoy is growing increasingly upset with Beltway drivers, so much so that organizer Brian Brase told truckers tonight they could escalate their complaints about commuters being "bad actor[s]" by "flood[ing] 911." "DC traffic does not like us," he said.
Trump tramples on D.C. says there's decay, rundown buildings, graffiti, etc.
He was on like 395 with a view of monuments, an interstate, the tunnel under the capitol grounds (it's a tunnel...), and then like nice downtown?
Spoke to Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) a bit ago.
She's calling for arrests and prosecution of those that stormed the Capitol and impeachment or removal of the President by the cabinet.
D.C. task force gave up on trying to address the fake temporary tags on vehicles.
Some drivers of these vehicles act recklessly with no repercussions bc they can't be traced by photo enforcement. Some have racked up 10s of thousands of dollars in speeding fines.
Mayor Bowser did not sign the Metro for D.C. bill that makes all Metrobus bus rides starting in D.C. free.
But that doesn't matter. If she would've vetoed, council which voted 13-0 for the bill, would override.
Prev coverage:
NEW: Metro's revamped map, released today, includes the Silver Line extension stations filled in and a bunch of other changes.
@DCist
/
@wamu885
got a first look at the revamped icon.
#WMATA
Tomorrow is my last day, but more doors opening soon!
I'm headed down the Green Line to L'Enfant Plaza to do media relations at WMATA -- writing press releases, answering requests, and keeping people informed about what's going on.
From 2-6 p.m. today, you can get a look and feel of what the new 8000-series trains will be like.
A design pop-up will be at Gallery Place at the 7th and F St. entrance faregates.
Metro will have physical samples, renderings, and photos. They want rider feedback.
People are OUT in D.C. today. Lincoln Memorial packed. NoMa Metro platform packed. Traffic is nuts. Trails are busy. Party bus full of drunk dudes pouring out to Wundergarten. People lounging and reading in Malcolm X Park fountain.
Weโre trying to make finding your way in stations easier. Weโve put up new signs as part of our pilot project at LโEnfant Plaza! You can find them in the lower level now and upper level in the coming months.
Weigh in:
New, from ATU Local 689: โSources have shared with ATU Local 689 that a hate group with Ku Klux Klan affiliation will be provided three private Metro rail cars and police escort to Foggy Bottom Metro Station for the โUnite the Rightโ 2018 rally.โ
D.C. Police update: "As of 9:30pm this evening, the Metropolitan Police Department is reporting approximately 30 curfew-violation arrests." 30.
More info:
Deputy Mayor Lucinda Babers left todayโs press conference via Metroโs Deanwood station, which shouldnโt be newsworthy, but kinda is.
She was recently appointed to the Metro board and is a regular transit user, which seems to be rare for board members.
Metro is launching its โaspirationalโ bus network redesign map on Monday. While WMATA doesnโt have enough money to pay for it, planners say it's the service the region deserves.
It includes:
- 100 routes w/ 20-min or less frequency
- 24/7 routes
- More:
BREAK: Mayor Bowser says Eastern Downtown Protected Bike Lane project will move forward on 9th Street in 2022. The 1.6-mile project was controversial in the neighborhood and seemed to stall after 2017 final report.
DDOT says it now has the money to build.
Inbox: NPS and DDOT moving ahead with road redesign in East Potomac Park.
One vehicle lane on Ohio Drive from the East Potomac Golf Course to Hains Point and back to Buckeye Drive will be replaced with a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian lane.
Work expected to begin next month
DDOT says the Rock Creek trail rehabilitation and new construction project is done --and it's six months early.
The $15 million project fixed 2.8 miles of trail, added the new ped bridge near the Zoo Loop trail, and a new mile of trail along Piney Branch Road -- a key connector.
This is just some of the ways Metro is trying to bridge a $500 million budget gap for July 2021 to June 2022.
All of this could change/go away if Congress approves new federal coronavirus relief funds for public transit.
WMATA hopes it will come soon.
The 2023 D.C. bike map is here.
It includes the new 9th St protected bike lane, five miles of new trails, like MBT extension to Fort Totten, Piney Branch Parkway to RCP connector, and more.
Check for yourself:
My theory: Dudes get off at Dupont, move to a different car on the same train. When they arrive at Woodley, they get off that car and "sprint" back to the original car and spin a helluva tale.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announces vaccine mandate for indoor dining, bars, gyms, meetings, and entertainment. Goes into effect on Jan. 15. People 12+ must have at least one dose of the vaccine. By Feb. 15 must have two doses.
Follows cities like NYC, Philly, Chicago, and Boston
Love browsing the
@NCPCgov
agendas because sometimes presentations are just like "here are the bench types of D.C.!"
Do I need to know that? Nope.
Am I interested nonetheless? Yep.
The D.C. region isn't close to its goal of eliminating traffic deaths. I often cover this reality thru stats, vigils, calls for action, policy changes.
But recently I interviewed ppl who survived a crash and live w the effects + those who lost a loved one.
Looks like Metrobarโs renovated 5000-series car-turned-bar is finally opening next Thursday. Looks great!
The bar opened almost two years ago as a beer garden
My girlfriend will not quit bothering me to write a story about what happens to bugs that get stuck on a Metro train and if they miss their friends and family when they get off at a completely different station.
New:
@SecretaryPete
meeting w/ frontline transit workers at Union Station on Friday.
He'll discuss the "importance of the recently announced federal mask requirements for public transportation" and highlight the Biden Admin's support for more COVID relief funding for transit.
Second time in two weeks that Iโve been on a Green Line train where teens have broken into back cab of older trains and turned off the lights.
Operator at LโEnfant โplease stop playing with the lights.โ
#WMATA
just dropped the new
@WashSpirit
commemorative SmarTrip card celebrating their championship.
The limited-edition cards are being sold at Navy Yard, Waterfront and Gallery Place stations in specially marked fare machines.
In 8 hours and 36 mins, moving nearly 169 miles, a Maryland teen visits all 97 WMATA stations via transit and beats the previous record holder by 18 minutes.
Quite the speed run! Congrats!
Check out the fun video:
To everyone expressing shock and anger on this news, WMATA's public comment period on the budget runs from January-March.
In the meantime, you can leave a comment for Metro's board: .
But most importantly, call your congress members for federal relief
NEW: Metro says upcoming $750M fiscal cliff could mean drastic cuts if region doesn't come together to find dedicated, reliable funding.
What's at stake in July 2024:
- Trains, buses every 20-30 mins
- No service after 9:30 pm
- Bad overcrowding
- Fewer police, janitors, support
The
@SWBID
/
@DCMID_SW
are launching a new on-demand electric shuttle (similar to a big golf cart) to get people around Southwest D.C.
Set to launch next spring. Costs $2 a ride no matter where you go in the service area.
It's part of a bigger mobility innovation initiative there