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.

Commuter bus driver, four passengers hurt in I-66 crash

The driver of a Prince William County OmniRide commuter bus and four of his passengers were injured in a Thursday morning crash that snarled Interstate 66 traffic for hours. Read more...
April 22, 2021, Inside NoVa

Safety association says DMV crashes have spiked

The Governor’s Highway Safety Association says there’s been a spike in traffic crashes nationwide. Read more...
Nick Minock, April 22, 2021, ABC7

DC to waive penalties for unpaid tickets for 4-month period

Unpaid tickets could put drivers at risk of their vehicles being towed or booted and block them from getting their licenses or registrations renewed. Read more...
Michael Quander, April 23, 2021, WUSA9

Key vote on Hogan's DC-area highway and bridge plan is delayed again

The carefully-orchestrated plan to get Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr.’s top transportation priority to the Board of Public Works is again in danger of being thwarted by a protest lodged by a losing bidder. Read more...
Bruce DePuyt, April 22, 2021, WTOP

Metro Board considers fare incentives to lure riders back

The Metro Board of Directors says the transit system has weathered the pandemic-related financial storm that threatened drastic service cuts, and is looking for financial incentives to lure riders back to the transit system. Read more...
Neal Augenstein, April 22, 2021, WTOP

GOP infrastructure bill goes all-in on cars

Senate Republicans celebrated Earth Day by releasing a counter-offer to President Biden’s infrastructure plan that would deepen America’s dependence on gas-powered cars. Read more...
Kea Wilson, April 22, 2021, Streetsblog USA

Consumer Reports finds it's easy to trick Tesla into driving with nobody at the wheel

Consumer Reports found that it is easy to trick a Tesla into driving when nobody is at the wheel, a test it took after a crash on Saturday involving a Tesla that killed two people. Read more...
Lexi Lonas, April 22, 2021, The Hill

How DC can reduce traffic deaths and make real progress on Vision Zero

While there have been some marginal improvements to the city’s transportation infrastructure, it has been nowhere near enough to slow the number of deaths on our streets -- in fact, they’ve been increasing. Read more...
Nick Sementelli, Conor Shaw, April 22, 2021, GGWash

Free Capital Bikeshare ride offered for Earth Day 2021

Capital Bikeshare riders can redeem a free trip under 30 minutes on Thursday, April 22. Read more...
Emily Leayman, April 22, 2021, Arlington Patch

Bike to Work Day is back and set for next month

Set for Friday, May 21, Arlington and the entire D.C. region will be participating in the 20th anniversary of this event. Read more...
Matt Blitz, April 22, 2021, ARLnow

DC crosswalk transforms into dance floor as group entertains drivers

A group of dancers strutted their stuff on a crosswalk in D.C. this week as they entertained drivers waiting at a stoplight with laughter and music. Read more...
April 21, 2021, Fox5

Threat against Metro prompted Alexandria roads to be closed and residents evacuated

Hundreds of people in Alexandria are back in their homes Thursday morning after being evacuated in the Virginia city. Police said the evacuation occurred after a neighbor made threats against Metro. Read more...
Nardos Mesmer, April 22, 2021, WTOP

Final report- I-495 American Legion Bridge Transit/TDM Study

The purpose of the I-495/American Legion Bridge Transit/TDM Study was to identify a range of current and future multimodal solutions that can be implemented to reduce congestion, improve trip reliability and regional connections, and enhance existing and planned multimodal mobility and connectivity. Read more...
April 22, 2021, Virginia DRPT

Metro to begin multi-year escalator replacement project starting with Gallery Place April 26

As part of a $179 million investment to improve safety and reliability, Metro will begin work to replace the oldest, least reliable escalators in the system starting with Gallery Place Station, Monday, April 26. It’s the first of 130 escalators to be replaced over seven years. Read more...
April 21, 2021, WMATA

Lower speed limits, bicycle lanes, crosswalks part of new road safety goals

Lower speed limits, new bike lanes and sidewalks, and more speed and red light cameras are in Montgomery County’s plans to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2030. Read more...
Briana Adhikusuma, April 22, 2021, Bethesda Magazine

Mountain bikers continue seeking access to Arlington's dirt trails

The Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation recently reiterated its policy on reserving natural surface “dirt” trails to walkers and hikers while allowing cyclists on paved trails. Read more...
Jo DeVoe, April 21, 2021, ARLnow

Transit study begins of Springfield-Quantico corridor

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation is considering transit improvements between the Franconia-Springfield Metro station and Marine Corps Base Quantico, floating possibilities such as expansion of Virginia Railway Express, bus rapid transit or even Metro in a new survey of area residents. Read more...
Jared Foretek, April 22, 2021, Inside NoVa

7News examines Metro safety as woman recovers from devastating attack in Northeast

After D.C. police say a man followed a woman out of Metro station and attacked her from behind, 7News looked into both the safety of riding Metro during the pandemic and the safety of the neighborhood surrounding the NoMa-Gallaudet station. Read more...
Tom Roussey, April 21, 2021, ABC7

High tech car thieves now hacking your entry fob signals, investigators say

Fairfax County Police are searching for the people who stole three vehicles from driveways in an Alexandria neighborhood Sunday morning. The thieves stole the vehicles by hacking signals from the keyless entry fobs that were inside the homes at the time. Read more...
Natalie Rubino, April 21, 2021, Fox5

Loudoun, Montgomery counties look to reopen a ferry across Potomac River

The historic White’s Ferry that once carried hundreds of commuters between the states closed in December following a court decision that said the ferry’s landing site had trespassed on land owned by Rockland Farm. Read more...
Luke Lukert, April 21, 2021, WTOP

Pittman: proposal for third Bay Bridge span should be put 'on hold'

Before the pandemic, motorists traveling eastbound through Anne Arundel County toward the Bay Bridge endured tedious backups, particularly during beach season when commuters, contractors and vacationers mingled unhappily. Read more...
Bruce DePuyt, April 21, 2021, WTOP

Tickets issued for aggressive driving, excessive exhaust noise in Montgomery County

Maryland law enforcement agencies issued more than 100 tickets in an effort to combat street racing, aggressive driving and excessive exhaust noise in Montgomery County. Read more...
Abigail Constantino, April 21, 2021, WTOP

Regional trail awareness and safety -- focus group

In September 2020, Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) conducted a focus group to better understand trail awareness and safety among DC area residents and to understand barriers (those real and perceived) that may prevent residents from utilizing trails more regularly. Read more...
April 21, 2021, WABA

DOT appoints chief science officer for first time in 40 years

The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on Wednesday it is appointing a chief science officer, the first time in more than 40 years the role will be filled in the department. Read more...
Alex Gangitano, April 21, 2021, The Hill

After six years of failure, it's time to start over on Vision Zero

Six years after Mayor Muriel Bowser committed DC to the goal of ensuring that “no lives are lost on our streets or at our intersections,” DC is on pace for its deadliest year of traffic violence in over a decade. Read more...
Conor Shaw, Nick Sementelli, April 21, 2021, GGWash

Also roaring back from pandemic: earth-warming emissions

Global warming emissions are expected to spike this year as the world emerges from the coronavirus pandemic and economies begin to recover. Read more...
Matt Ott, April 20, 2021, Frederick News-Post

Arlington to again receive Tree City USA honors

The Arlington County government on April 30 will receive its 24th annual “Tree City USA” designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation, honoring the community’s efforts in tree planting and preservation. Read more...
April 21, 2021, Inside NoVa

Bike lane basics from VDOT

VDOT has recently started releasing educational material and videos on various bicycle and pedestrian treatments. Read more...
April 21, 2021, FABB

Amazon launches Alexa Transit

The new service supports major systems in the U.S. with more to be added in the coming months. Read more...
Mischa Wanek-Libman, April 20, 2021, Mass Transit

County bill proposes permits for soliciting on roads, medians, sidewalks

County Council Member Craig Rice, who proposed the legislation on Tuesday, said the new iteration would help meet Vision Zero goals to protect pedestrians from traffic-related injuries or fatalities. Read more...
Brianna Adhikusuma, April 20, 2021, Bethesda Magazine

Metro to approve $4.7 billion budget, preventing service cuts but delaying Silver Line Phase II to 2022

Metro’s Board of Directors is set to approve a $4.7 billion capital and operating budget on Thursday (April 22) that includes $723 million in federal relief. Read more...
Matt Blitz, April 20, 2021, Reston Now

Montgomery County works toward climate equity with new initiatives

According to environmental experts, climate change has hit communities of color especially hard, from higher rates of pollution to less access to green space. Read more...
Aimee Cho, April 20, 2021, NBC Washington

Report: DC area among top 25 worst in US for ozone

The D.C. area ranks 22nd worst in U.S. for ozone, according to the American Lung Association’s 2021 “State of the Air” report. Read more...
Kristi King, April 21, 2021, WTOP

Biden dispatches Cabinet members to sell infrastructure plan

Four members of President Biden's Cabinet took to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to sell his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan, pushing back on Republican criticisms that the plan was too large and wide-ranging. Read more...
Niv Elis, April 20, 2021, The Hill

How a protected bike lane could improve safety on Lincoln Road

Lincoln Road NE is a crucial connection between Edgewood and the center of the city, but its current design encourages speeding and dangerous driving. Read more...
Doug Knight, April 20, 2021, GGWash

District issues RFP for first public-private patrtnership, to modernize streetlight network

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT), and the Office of Public-Private Partnerships (OP3), issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) to three short-listed offerors for the DC Smart Street Lighting project, the District’s first-ever public private partnership. Read more...
April 19, 2021, DDOT

Balllston Quarter pedestrian bridge wins 2021 IDEAS2 award

The "Ballston Quarter Pedestrian Bridge," a 2019 public art installation linking Ballston Quarter and Ballston Exchange, is the winner of a 2021 IDEAS² Award, according to a post on the Arlington Cultural Arts Division's Twitter account. Read more...
Michael O'Connell, April 19, 2021, Arlington Patch

West End bus lines locked in battle with regional projects for funding

Alexandria is seeking state funding for a couple of transportation projects, but competition is fierce in a region full of localities hoping to overhaul their transit systems despite the pandemic’s dire financial ramifications. Read more...
Vernon Miles, April 19, 2021, ALXnow

Slightly divided Board of Supervisors backs 495 NEXT proposal

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 8-2 April 13 to endorse the Virginia Department of Transportation’s 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project and expressed hope that Maryland officials would expand highway capacity on their side of the Potomac River. Read more...
Brian Trompeter, April 20, 2021, Inside NoVa

Nearly 1 in 3 DC-area traffic deaths were on foot or bike

Nearly one-third of the people killed in traffic crashes in the D.C. area last year were pedestrians or bicyclists, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments said Monday. Read more...
Rick Massimo, April 19, 2021, WTOP

Debris on Outer Loop causes flats for drivers

WTOP Traffic Reporter Jack Taylor reports “upwards of two dozen” drivers had flat tires. Read more...
Colleen Kelleher, April 20, 2021, WTOP

GOP eyes new strategy to derail Biden infrastructure plan

Republicans say President Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure package will have a tough time getting through the Senate intact because of several key provisions that will open the legislation up to parliamentary challenges under the arcane Byrd Rule. Read more...
Alexander Bolton, April 20, 2021, The Hill

D.C. to offer amnesty for overdue tickets, as ticketing for all parking violations resumes

In a step toward pre-pandemic normalcy, the District is set to resume full enforcement of parking violations this spring. Read more...
Luz Lazo, April 19, 2021, Washington Post

Harris says 'hard work' ahead to get infrastructure package through Congress

Vice President Harris on Monday acknowledged the tough road ahead for President Biden's $2.3 trillion infrastructure package, but said the administration is committed to getting the proposal through Congress. Read more...
Alex Gangitano, April 19, 2021, The Hill

Complete trails network report release set for 28 April

FABB encourages local riders to join the Capital Trails Coalition on Wednesday, 28 April, at 2:00 pm for the release of its new report: The Economic, Health, and Environmental Benefits of Completing the Capital Trails Network. Read more...
April 19, 2021, FABB

Bike safety classes offered in Alexandria, Springfield April 30, May 1

In the free Smart Cycling classes -- open to anyone who lives or works in Northern Virginia -- participants will learn specifically how to ride with safety and comfort in various traffic conditions, terrains, and climates. Read more...
Kevin Dauray, April 19, 2021, Zebra

ParkMobile users might want to change password after cybersecurity 'incident'

“In March, ParkMobile became aware of a cybersecurity incident linked to a vulnerability in a third-party software which we use,” the company said in a news release. Read more...
Will Vitka, April 19, 2021, WTOP

No one driving Tesla before Texas crash that killed two, authorities say

A Tesla vehicle that struck a tree near Houston on Saturday, killing two passengers, did not appear to have anyone in the driver's seat at the time of the crash and may have been the result of a failure of the car's self-driving feature, according to police. Read more...
?ohn Bowden, April 19, 2021, The Hill

Fearing a post-pandemic talent exodus, agencies view telework as key retention tool

Now more than a year after the pandemic forced government to expand telework in ways they hadn’t previously imagined, agencies fear remote work flexibilities will make or break their recruitment and retention strategies. Read more...
Nicole Ogysko, April 16, 2021, Federal News Network

Maryland Transportation Authority customer service to go offline on Tuesday

Motorists who use Maryland toll facilities will not be able to reach the Maryland Transportation Authority’s customer service department during a nine-day period that begins on Tuesday. Read more...
Bruce DePuyt, April 19, 2021, WTOP