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.

Virginia is a rising leader in passenger rail

Ask Shannon Valentine how passenger rail rose to the top of Virginia’s transportation priority list and she will take you to the crawling traffic of Interstate 95. Read more...
Luz Lazo, June 15, 2021, Washington Post

Metro service changes will help draw riders, officials say

Metro service changes announced last week -- including increased services, late night hours, and reduced fares -- are being praised by many in the community. Read more...
Matt Blitz, June 15, 2021, Reston Now

Bollards, all-day restrictions come to crash-prone intersection

For years the intersection of Old Dominion Drive and Little Falls Road has been the scene of numerous crashes. Read more...
June 15, 2021, ARLnow

APTA releases new report on high-performance rail's return on investment

The report, “Assessing the Business Case ROI for Intercity Passenger Rail Corridor Investment: Guide for Decision Makers,” provides a consistent methodology to quantify the economic and social benefits of passenger rail corridor investments. Read more...
Liz Carey, June 15, 2021, Transportation Today

Opinion: D.C.'s cheap parking permits are the Achilles' heel of the Comprehensive Plan

Last month, the D.C. Council passed an updated Comprehensive Plan for the District that the council members and Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) hope will pave the way toward more affordable housing, more inclusive growth, and streets that are safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Read more...
Ike Brannon, June 14, 2021, Washington Post

Opinion: Rail is central to Maryland's future

Rail systems are a vital piece of the nation’s infrastructure and serve as the backbone of our transportation system. Rail creates economic development, connects communities and reduces traffic. Read more...
Anthony G. Brown, Jared Solomon, June 14, 2021, Washington Post

Preliminary work underway to prepare for W&OD bridge at Wiehle Avenue

Preliminary work necessary for the eventual construction of a new pedestrian bridge on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail over Wiehle Avenue has begun. Read more...
Scott Fields, June 14, 2021, Reston Now

Final vote to rename Lee Hwy. in Arlington pushed back a month

It appears more a speed bump than a roadblock, but the effort to rename Lee Highway in Arlington will be taking a one-month detour. Read more...
Scott McCaffrey, June 14, 2021, Inside NoVa

Metro summer Red Line project could have big impact on federal workers

With many people continuing to work from home, the impact on feds remains unknown, because it is unclear when orders will go out to return to the office. Read more...
Mike Murillo, June 14, 2021, WTOP

High-speed rail getting last minute push in Congress

High-speed rail is getting a last-minute push from lawmakers and lobbyists as Congress debates how to revamp the nation’s infrastructure. Read more...
Karl Evers-Hillstrom, June 15, 2021, The Hill

Capital Trails Coalition impact report highlights benefits of a full trail network

Back in April, the Capital Trails Coalition released the National Capital Trail Network (seen above) impact report which showed that a billion dollar investment in trails would pay off with over $2.4 Billion in savings PER YEAR. Read more...
June 14, 2021, WashCycle

Alexandria launches $75M Duke Street transit project planning

The City of Alexandria is giving the green light to its $75 million Duke Street transit project, dubbed “Duke Street in Motion” — and it’s reaching out to residents to gather feedback. Read more...
Will Vitka, June 14, 2021, WTOP

Md. to test new system for I-270 traffic management

Maryland transportation officials will demonstrate a ramp metering system on Interstate 270 next week, with the goal of alleviating congestion and simplifying mergers on one of the state’s busiest roadways. Read more...
Alejandro Alvarez, June 14, 2021, WTOP

Take a first glimpse inside a real Purple Line railcar

The 26 light rail trains that will someday carry Purple Line passengers are looking closer and closer to being ready. Read more...
Dan Malouff, June 14, 2021, GGWash

American Trucking Associations creates climate committee

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) recently created the Climate and Clean Energy Advisory Committee to take action on key environmental issues and help shape the organization’s policies. Read more...
Melina Druga, June 14, 2021, Transportation Today

National Dump the Pump Day

This Thursday, June 17, is National Dump the Pump Day, when everyone who isn’t traveling by bike is encouraged to ride public transportation instead of driving. Read more...
June 14, 2021, FABB

Full overnight I-66 West closures planned at Beltway interchange

The Virginia Department of Transportation is conducting overhead bridge work that will close the westbound direction of I-66. Read more...
Emily Leayman, June 11, 2021, Vienna Patch

Montgomery County will continue shared streets program through summer

Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation will continue its “shared streets” program through the summer, in which select roads and parkways are closed to vehicular traffic. Read more...
Dan Schere, June 11, 2021, Bethesda Magazine

More than 50 volunteers gather to help clean up Rock Creek Park

More than 50 volunteers with ASEZ WAO (Save The Earth From A to Z- We Are One) showed up Sunday to help clean up Rock Creek Park, according to the organization. Read more...
Samantha Mitchell, June 13, 2021, ABC7

NHTSA: Despite fewer cars on road, fatalities spiked in 2020

The federal agency estimates road crashes killed more than 38,000 people nationwide. Read more...
Zach Merchant, June 13, 2021, WUSA9

Officials to consider permanently closing long portion of Beach Drive to motorists

The National Park Service is now planning a meeting next month on what to do with Beach Drive Northwest, from Broad Branch Road all the way to the Maryland border. Read more...
Stephanie Ramirez, June 13, 2021, Fox5

New red light camera in Manassas to start issuing warnings

A new red light camera will be up and running starting on Monday in Manassas, Virginia. It will issue warnings for its first month and will begin charging drivers who run the light after that. Read more...
Valerie Bonk, June 13, 2021, WTOP

Arlington plans to rename Lee Highway for abolitionist John Langston

The Arlington County Board said at its Saturday meeting that it plans to vote next month to rename Lee Highway for abolitionist John Langston, who also was the first Black person to be elected to Congress from Virginia. Read more...
June 12, 2021, NBC Washington

TSA screens more than 2 million travelers, most since start of pandemic

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than 2 million people on Friday, making it the highest number screened in one day since the start of the pandemic last year. Read more...
Lexi Lonas, June 12, 2021, The Hill

Road rage shootings kill or injure someone every 18 hours

A person has been killed or injured in a road rage shooting every 18 hours in 2021, an analysis done by Everytown for Gun Safety, a group that works to stop gun violence, found. Read more...
Lexi Lonas, June 12, 2021, The Hill

D.C. mayor's budget amplifies goal of reducing car travel in the nation's capital

The city’s transportation spending plan fixes roadway infrastructure while advancing projects aimed at buses, bikes and pedestrians. Read more...
Luz Lazo, June 11, 2021, Washington Post

Part of Beach Dr. will stay closed to cars while NPS studies permanent closure

The National Park Service will keep part of Beach Drive car-free through Rock Creek Park while it analyzes what would happen if it made the restriction permanent, the agency said Friday. Read more...
Michael Laris, Luz Lazo, June 11, 2021, Washington Post

D.C. residents unhappy with city response to stop sign camera complaints

A D.C. Council member says promised improvements to better warn drivers about the District's most lucrative stop sign camera have not been delivered, despite what the Department of Transportation said in an email to residents last week. Read more...
June 11, 2021, NBC Washington

Uber, Lyft prices surge amid driver shortage, demand for service

An Uber and Lyft driver shortage is causing higher prices and longer wait times. Read more...
Natalie Rubino, June 11, 2021, Fox5

Single tracking, station closures on Red Line will cause 'significant impact' for Metro riders

Repairs on Metro’s Red Line scheduled to start in July will involve round-the-clock single tracking and station closures that the transit agency said are expected to cause “significant impacts” for customers. Read more...
Abigail Constantino, June 11, 2021, WTOP

Va. will pay up to $500 to lure people back to work

In an effort to attract unemployed residents back to the workforce after months of historic pandemic-induced joblessness, the state is piloting a $3 million “Return to Earn” grant program that will match up to $500 in signing bonuses provided by eligible small businesses. Read more...
Ally Schweitzer, June 11, 2021, dcist

Advocates overjoyed with new and improved INVEST Act

A once-divisive baseline infrastructure bill is quickly transforming into the game-changing legislation America needs to shift the country away from car dominance, many advocates say. Read more...
Kea Wilson, June 11, 2021, Streetsblog USA

Active transportation big in 'INVEST' earmarks

An unprecedented number of infrastructure projects “earmarked” in the House infrastructure bill would serve pedestrians, micromobility riders, and people who use assistive devices, in addition to big funding jumps for core active transportation infrastructure programs. Read more...
Kea Wilson, June 11, 2021, Streetsblog USA

Metro projects will bring months of delays, station closures on the Red Line

A Metro tunnel ventilation and platform canopy replacement project will bring months of delays and station closures on the Red Line starting next month through the end of the year. Two stations in Montgomery County will be closed for months. Read more...
Justin George, June 11, 2021, Washington Post

CDC: Vaccinated travelers don't need masks outdoors at airports, train stations

The order applies to outdoor areas at train and subway stations, airports, ferry and bus terminals, among others. Read more...
Lexi Lonas, June 11, 2021, The Hill

Fairfax Co. police hear from community on proposed changes to pursuit policy

Police in Fairfax County, Virginia, heard from members of the community Thursday about proposed new rules for officers when it comes to deciding if a car should be pursued. Read more...
Mike Murillo, June 10, 2021, WTOP

Brood X motorcycle commuters: 'Least of concerns is going to be the cicadas'

You’re not looking out for cicadas, you’re looking out for cars,” Withrow said. “I think one of your least concerns is going to be cicadas.” Read more...
Neal Augenstein, June 11, 2021, WTOP

Metro board approves fare reductions, service increases in bid to lure back riders

Metro board members passed a slate of fare reductions and service increases Thursday in their bid to lure more people to transit while seeking to provide service workers and low-income passengers with a break on transportation costs. Read more...
Justin George, June 10, 2021, Washington Post

Maryland transit officials seek $183 million for consultants on delayed Purple Line

State officials say they need consultants to continue oversight work left by the construction team that quit. Read more...
Katherine Shaver, June 11, 2021, Washington Post

Metro trains, buses are safe and ready for passengers to return, chief safety officer says

The coronavirus pandemic presented her and Metro with a challenge unlike any that those in her line of work have encountered. Read more...
Justin George, June 11, 2021, Washington Post

Herndon's Sugarland stream project tweak approved by county

The project will restore part of Sugarland Run by the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Herndon. Read more...
David Taube, June 10, 2021, Reston Now

How telework could impact Arlington's office, real estate markets

Some federal agencies are looking to continue remote and hybrid working options for employees post-pandemic -- a shift with potential impacts on Arlington’s office and residential real estate markets. Read more...
Jo DeVoe, June 10, 2021, ARLnow

Sudley Road widening draws criticism

A plan to add a third lane to Sudley Road between Grant Avenue and Godwin Drive is drawing criticism for its process and substance, with some saying the design will create a more hostile environment for vulnerable road users on foot and bikes. Read more...
Jared Foretek, June 11, 2021, Inside NoVa

Businesses looking forward to Metro changes

On Thursday, Metro announced plans to make those improvements riders have been calling for, including extending hours to midnight seven days a week in July. Read more...
Anna-Lysa Gayle, June 10, 2021, ABC7

Another scooter company coming to D.C. region, with monthly rentals

E-scooter company Unagi is launching a scooter rental service across the region Thursday, bringing their Model One e-scooter to D.C., Northern Virginia, parts of Montgomery County. Read more...
Colleen Grablick, June 10, 2021, dcist

Metro planning for fully electric bus fleet by 2045

Metro will start to phase out purchasing diesel buses in 2030 with the goal of having a fully electric bus fleet by 2045. Read more...
Jordan Pascale, June 10, 2021, dcist

D.C. DMV extends deadline for renewing expired licenses, ID cards

Residents who need to renew will now have until Sept. 9. Read more...
Lori Aratani, June 10, 2021, Washington Post

Study: Hundreds in Maryland die prematurely from vehicle emissions

An academic study released Tuesday finds that ozone and fine particulate matter from vehicle emissions in 2016 led to an estimated 7,100 premature deaths in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast — including 664 in Maryland. Read more...
Josh Kurtz, June 10, 2021, WTOP

Arlington considers lower speeds along seven corridors

Arlington County is considering lowering the speed limit along a number of corridors with lots of pedestrian activity. Read more...
Jo DeVoe, June 9, 2021, ARLnow

Metro says Metrobus hit by someone throwing rocks in NW DC, not gunfire

Officers with the Metropolitan Police Department responded to calls that a Metrobus was hit by gunfire Wednesday evening, police say. Read more...
Samantha Mitchell, June 9, 2021, ABC7