3000-series Blue Line train at Rosslyn Station platform by Ariel Baylon used with permission.

WMATA releases six scenarios for Metrorail or bus rapid transit expansion in the coming decades

WMATA officials have analyzed six multibillion-dollar options to expand Metrorail lines or bus rapid transit in order to alleviate overcrowding and infrastructure capacity limits. WMATA’s planners favor extending the Blue Line to National Harbor or running the Silver Line on separate tracks from the Blue and Orange lines, and shifting its terminus to Greenbelt. The transit agency will conduct public outreach in the coming months to weigh feedback prior to a board vote.  (Justin George / Washington Post, Jordan Pascale / DCist)  

Some Chevy Chase DC residents argue proposed affordable housing above community center is more appropriate elsewhere

A plan to redevelop the community center on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase to include up to five stories of housing on top, at least 30% of which must be affordable, has drawn pushback from some residents concerned about the impact on neighborhood character. Some advocates, meanwhile, plan to ask the District to make all the homes in the new development affordable. Chevy Chase, a high-income, majority white neighborhood, has historically used land use policy to preserve its racial segregation.  (Mary Claire Molloy / Washington Post)  

Maryland replacing highway guardrails that can make car crashes more deadly

Maryland DOT workers are replacing highway guardrails around the state that are pieced together from separate systems and, as a result, pose added danger to motorists who crash into them. Guardrails are designed to absorb the impact of a crash and disperse some of the energy generated by the collision, but improperly installed versions can do the opposite and send spikes of metal into vehicles when they are hit. There have been no known fatalities because of these installations in Maryland, but they are believed to have contributed to highway crash deaths elsewhere.  (Nathan Baca / WUSA9)  

A small number of older office buildings are driving DC vacancy rates

A recent assessment of vacant office space in DC has revealed that over 40% of vacancies are in just 60 mostly older downtown buildings. Over 75% of vacant offices are in buildings constructed before 2000. On the other hand, many buildings that have modern amenities and recent renovations have low vacancy rates; almost 25% of buildings in DC in that category are fully occupied.  (Jeff Clabaugh / WTOP)  

National Park Service restarts search for an operator for Fort Washington marina

The Fort Washington marina, one of the only majority Black marinas in the DC region, has been without a long-term operator since 2018. The marina services and facilities have suffered as a result, leading boat owners to complain that it is not receiving the same care or attention as other National Park Service marinas in the region and creating clear racial disparities. Proposals from potential new operators are due September 5th.  (Megan Sayles / Afro)  

S. Abingdon Street bridge over I-395 getting repairs, new bike lane

VDOT is planning to replace the 53-year-old bridge over I-395 between Fairlington and Shirlington over the next 18 months. The bridge will get a new deck as well as repaired concrete, bearings, narrower lanes, and a new protected bike lane. Travelers should expect lane closings on the existing bridge as well as periodic closures on I-395, but the bridge will remain passable for cars, bikes, and pedestrians throughout the project.  (Joe DeVoe / ARLNow)  

Inside the tunnel aiming to fix sewage overflow in Alexandria

Those curious about what it looks like inside and around the construction project tunnel to fix sewage overflows in Alexandria can turn to a new interactve Washington Post article to see behind-the-sceness. The interactive feature takes readers through every step of the tunnel installation and highlights how this is similar to other tunnel boring projects nationwide. The project is set to be completed next year.  (Post)  

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