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.

As Wendy's closes, what's next for 'Dave Thomas Circle'?

The intersection has ranked among the most accident-prone in the District. Read more...
Neal Augenstein, September 21, 2021, WTOP

Community frustrated by huge crowds of ATVs crowding in neighborhood [video]

People who live in the neighborhood are frustrated by the ATVs, but police say wrangling the crowd of riders isn't as easy as one may think. Read more...
September 20, 2021, WUSA9

America's car crash epidemic

Driving kills as many Americans each year as guns do. Experts say that’s preventable. Read more...
Marina Bolotnikova, September 19, 2021, Vox

'Car free' DC is Wednesday

An international event wants those in the D.C. area to think twice before they pick up their car keys Wednesday. Read more...
Will Vitka, September 21, 2021, WTOP

Metro considers another round of lower fares to lure riders back

The transit agency is once again considering restructuring fares after Metro’s board passed discounts and fee waivers for bus and rail customers in June. Read more...
Justin George, September 21, 2021, Washington Post

New mural celebrates Langston Blvd. renaming

The recently-renamed Langston Blvd. is getting a larger-than-life mural of its namesake, Black abolitionist John M. Langston. Read more...
David Taube, September 20, 2021, ARLnow

Metro will put electric buses at renovated Northern Bus Garage

Monday, Metro announced they’ll eventually put 150 zero-emissions buses in the historic building at 14th and Buchanan Streets NW. Read more...
Jordan Pascale, September 20, 2021, dcist

Biden's 'heat island' strategy ignores cars

President Biden says he’s taking action to cool deadly urban heat islands — which are located disproportionately in communities of color — but advocates say he isn’t doing enough to address one of the phenomenon’s biggest root causes: America’s overbuilt, auto-centric road network. Read more...
Kea Wilson, September 20, 2021, Streetsblog USA

Let's bust the myth: a car-friendly neighborhood isn't a child-friendly neighborhood

DC can count itself in many ways to be a pro-child city: universal pre-K, paid parental leave, and diverse, accessible parks and recreation offerings. But one area where DC and many other cities could perform better is designing public spaces that prioritize children over cars. Read more...
Caitlin Rogger, September 20, 2021, GGWash

Audit finds glitches in cashless tolling system overbilled Maryland drivers thousands

Maryland legislative auditors found that glitches in the cashless tolling infrastructure at the state's bridges, tunnels and express lanes overbilled motorists thousands of dollars. Read more...
September 20, 2021, Fox5

US opens investigation into airbags in 30 million vehicles: report

A U.S. auto safety agency opened an investigation into roughly 30 million vehicles over possible faulty airbag inflators on Friday, affecting over 20 automakers, Reuters reported, citing a government document it reviewed. Read more...
Caroline Vakil, September 19, 2021, The Hill

Days dwindle to precious few for Wendy's at key D.C. intersection

The site is at the crossroads of First Street NE and New York and Florida avenues, known as one of the city’s more hazardous intersections. Read more...
Martin Weil, September 17, 2021, Washington Post

Gov. Hogan urging MVA to expedite driving tests, credentials for school bus drivers

Governor Larry Hogan is making moves to help ease school bus driver shortages in Maryland. Read more...
Courtney Pomeroy, September 17, 2021, ABC7

Metro commits to more stringent safety standards to protect track workers

Multiple instances of trains operating near Metro track workers has prompted the transit agency to commit to more stringent safety standards that officials say will increase worker protections. Read more...
Justin George, September 17, 2021, Washington Post

Metro cites policy change, apologizes to fans stranded after Washington Football Team game

Metro apologized Friday to football fans left stranded without trains the previous evening after a Washington Football Team game, coming months after the transit agency promised this spring that it would help fans get home. Read more...
Ian Duncan, Justin George, September 17, 2021, Washington Post

Losing bidder on project to design Maryland toll lanes on Beltway, I-270 asks judge to review bid protest

A team led by Spanish firm Cintra has alleged that the winning team, led by Transurban, used “unrealistic” construction cost estimates. Read more...
Katherine Shaver, September 17, 2021, Washington Post

Fairfax County board approves first-ever community-wide climate action plan

Fairfax County has committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050, and now, it has a plan to achieve that goal. Read more...
Matt Blitz, September 17, 2021, FFXnow

Montgomery County looks to create walking school bus program [video]

Montgomery County is trying to get families to sign up for a “walking school bus” program it says could help with traffic and the environment. Read more...
September 17, 2021, NBC Washington

Maryland toll authority was unaware it was overcharging motorists, audit finds

The Maryland Transportation Authority, which operates toll facilities around the state, didn’t know it was overcharging motorists, a review by legislative auditors concluded. Read more...
Bruce DePuyt, September 17, 2021, WTOP

Ground broken on Rt. 28 widening: Va. leaders seek to 'put all the pieces together'

Few topics can galvanize jurisdictions more than the congested traffic on Virginia Route 28 — especially in Prince William, Fairfax and Loudoun counties. Read more...
Neal Augenstein, September 17, 2021, WTOP

Walmart, Ford and Argo AI to launch autonomous delivery service

The service will deliver Walmart orders to customers in Austin, Texas, Miami and Washington, D.C., using Ford self-driving test vehicles equipped with the Argo AI Self-Driving System. Read more...
Melina Druga, September 17, 2021, Transportation Today

WMATA set out a timeline to electrify its buses. A DC Council roundtable asks: why not sooner?

In July, Metro’s Board of Directors approved plans to fully convert the WMATA bus fleet to electric buses over the next two decades, by 2045. Read more...
Libby Solomon, September 17, 2021, GGWash

Downed trees, wires and high water reported in parts of D.C. region

Several people had to be rescued from vehicles when they became stranded in flooded roads. Read more...
Dana Hedgpeth, September 17, 2021, Washington Post

DC Circulator fares restart Oct. 1

The District Department of Transportation said Friday that DC Circulator fares will be reinstated Oct. 1. Read more...
Will Vitka, September 17, 2021, WTOP

City to submit transit grant application

City Council unanimously approved a grant application to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for the 2022 Transit Ridership Incentive Program. Read more...
Olivia Anderson, September 16, 2021, Alexandria Times

Flooding reported in Alexandria

Matthew Cappucci, a reporter with Fox 5, reported extensive flooding at the Braddock Road Metro station. Read more...
Vernon Miles, September 16, 2021, ALXnow

Pike transit project modified after bus shelters found faulty

A multi-year project to improve transit along Columbia Pike has been delayed by design problems associated with the proposed bus shelters. Read more...
Jo DeVoe, September 16, 2021, ARLnow

D.C. has collected $36 million through ticket amnesty program that ends this month

Scofflaws who have accumulated debts in unpaid tickets in the District need to act soon to save on paying late fines. Read more...
Luz Lazo, September 17, 2021, Washington Post

FABB September meeting on crash reconstruction

Join FABB for a virtual meeting on September 21 at 7:00 pm to discuss Fairfax County Police procedures for traffic crash investigations. Read more...
September 16, 2021, FABB

Every block matters in the fight for safer streets and the climate

In the wake of both the tragic death of one of DC’s youngest cyclists, and another dire warning on climate change from global scientists, it is jarring to be caught up in debates about the merits of a bike lane project at the block-by-block level. Read more...
Amber Gove, September 16, 2021, GGWash

Fire on roof of future Metro HQ spews smoke through area

A fire at the top of a high-rise building under construction in D.C. made smoke that can be seen for miles Thursday morning. Read more...
Rick Massimo, September 16, 2021, WTOP

Rail Safety Week set for Sept. 20-26

Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI), Operation Lifesaver Canada and the Mexican Association of Railroads (AMF) are kicking off this year’s observance of Rail Safety Week in North America on Sept. 20. Read more...
Marybeth Luczak, September 16, 2021, Railway Age

U.S. DOT announces $25 million in funding for transit agencies

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced Tuesday it would make $25 million in funding available to help public transportation agencies return to service. Read more...
Liz Carey, September 16, 2021, Transportation Today

County to study ways of making temporary outdoor seating areas permanent

Arlington County says it will explore ways to make it easier for restaurants to establish or expand outdoor dining after the pandemic ends, according to a county report. Read more...
Jo DeVoe, September 15, 2021, ARLnow

Seventh Metro transit employee dies of covid

A seventh Metro employee has died of covid-19, even as the agency’s vaccination rate rose dramatically this month, transit officials said. Read more...
Justin George, September 15, 2021, Washington Post

Study group unanimously opposes developer-proposed solutions for Wiehle Avenue crossing

After nearly two years of discussions and 15 meetings, a study group has voted in favor of ditching three pedestrian crossing options offered by a developer of an approved mixed-use development near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. Read more...
Fatimah Waseem, September 15, 2021, Reston Now

Reston development by Metro to feature dog park, outdoor fitness area

The developer behind Halley Rise, the mixed-use project currently under construction, is now offering more details about amenities: a dog park and an outdoor fitness park. Read more...
David Taube, September 15, 2021, Reston Now

The Perch opens high above Tysons [video]

Fairfax County has a new park and community space near the McLean Metro Station. Read more...
September 15, 2021, NBC Washington

Metro offers its first-ever pass sale to riders

Metro riders in the D.C. region can save up to 50% off their purchase of unlimited day passes at discounted prices starting Thursday morning. Read more...
Ivy Lyons, September 16, 2021, WTOP

Purple Line payment is approved; contractor timeline slides to 2022

Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved a hefty payment to the consortium building the Purple Line on Wednesday, though the state’s top transportation official insisted the payout — in tandem with a new contract modification — will save taxpayers money in the long run. Read more...
Bruce DePuyt, September 16, 2021, WTOP

New study finds climate change exacerbates neighborhood smog

A study published last week shows that higher temperatures brought on by climate change over the last 70 years have increased the formation of ground-level ozone in the Denver Metro North Front Range, a geographic area that includes Denver and part of eight surrounding counties. Read more...
L. Delta Merner, September 15, 2021, UCS

Arlington officials seek input on moving County Fair

Should the Arlington County Fair relocate from its longtime location at Thomas Jefferson Community Center to Long Bridge Park? Read more...
September 15, 2021, Inside NoVa

Reconciliation looking good for sustainable transportation

Skillful new House legislation that will be folded into the Democrat’s reconciliation package could help restore some of what sustainable transportation advocates lost during the negotiations over the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill — without technically breaking President Biden’s promises to the GOP that many thought would shut the door on further money for transit and equity. Read more...
Kea Wilson, September 14, 2021, Streetsblog USA

DMV to bring back walk-in service

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles next month will begin resuming walk-in service, which has largely been on hold since the start of the pandemic, and have decided to alternate it with service to those who have scheduled an appointment. Read more...
September 14, 2021, Inside NoVa

Va. man hit by car starts site listing dangerous intersections to reduce pedestrian deaths

Mike Doyle started Alexandria Families For Safe Streets, a resource for victims and an interactive site that shows you the more dangerous areas and intersections for pedestrians and cyclists in Northern Virginia. Read more...
John Gonzalez, September 14, 2021, ABC7

Traffic troubles in Montgomery County as more parents drive kids to school

A new school year, a bus driver shortage and more parents driving their kids due to COVID-19 has caused a traffic nightmare around some Montgomery County schools. Read more...
Lindsay Watts, September 15, 2021, Fox5

Ramp metering system starts on I-270

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration on Wednesday activated a ramp metering system on 23 ramps of southbound Interstate 270 in an effort to reduce congestion and increase safety on one of the nation’s busiest travel corridors. Read more...
Joshua Barlow, September 15, 2021, WTOP

Army Ten-Miler goes virtual in light of rising COVID-19 cases

Runners eager to race each other through the streets of D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, for the annual Army Ten-Miler will have to wait another year to do it in person. Read more...
Matthew Delaney, September 14, 2021, WTOP

Metro didn't follow safety procedures during overhaul of rail cars, audit shows

Metro mechanics, engineers and technicians do not keep organized records or follow a set of safety guidelines when maintaining, inspecting and rebuilding rail cars, contributing to dangerous mishaps such as the separation of two trains last year, according to a new audit. Read more...
Justin George, September 14, 2021, Washington Post

Register now for FABB Bike Your Park Day ride

FABB is celebrating Bike Your Park Day with a free family-friendly ride. Join us on Saturday, September 25,  to explore parks in the Lorton area. Read more...
September 14, 2021, FABB