Breakfast links: Arlington has lowest county-level traffic fatality rate in country
Arlington County has lowest traffic fatality rate in nation among counties with 100,000+ people
Between 2018 and 2022, Arlington County had a traffic fatality rate of 2.7 per 100,000 people, the lowest rate in the nation among counties with populations of at least 100,000, and significantly below the national average of 13.7 per 100,000 people. The research fellow at a libertarian think tank who completed the analysis suggested Arlington’s population density, which reduces vehicle miles traveled, may be among the factors contributing to the low fatality rate. (Daniel Egitto / ARLNow)
WMATA announces partial Red Line closure this summer as part of Purple Line construction
Five Red Line stations, from Fort Totten to Glenmont, will be closed from early June into September to enable construction of connections to Purple Line light rail stations. The Takoma station closure is expected to be shorter in duration. WMATA will provide buses to accommodate passengers affected, though details are to be determined. (This article may be behind a paywall). (Michael Laris / Post)
DC readies for next comprehensive planning process
This fall, the DC Office of Planning (OP) will begin research to shape its upcoming comprehensive planning process, which is scheduled to wrap up in 2027. OP notes that DC may hit an all-time population high of 845,000 people by 2050. According to “DC 2050: Outlook for the District’s Next Comprehensive Plan,” a report filed with the DC Council this week, the planning process is a “once-in-a generation opportunity.” (This article is behind a paywall.) (Tristan Navera / Business Journal)
Fight to save Mt. Pleasant childcare center exposes link between space rental costs and affordable childcare
The House of Mercy has terminated its long-term $1/year lease for the Rosemount Center in Mount Pleasant, effective August 31, citing financial reasons. The Rosemount Center has provided affordable bilingual English-Spanish childcare for over five decades, as well as free meals and medical care for children. Some families say they may have to move out of the District due to a lack of affordable replacement childcare. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau is pushing for the District to purchase the building to save the center. (Sarah Y. Kim / DCist)
Alexandria City Council demands more representation on Virginia Stadium Authority
The Alexandria City Council, including Mayor Justin Wilson, has expressed its disapproval over Virginia’s proposed makeup of the Virginia Stadium Authority, which would include only three out of nine appointees from Alexandria, with the rest appointed by the governor. They are advocating for a more even split, as the bonds to finance the stadium would be backed 50/50 between the city and state. (James Cullum / ALXNow)
Maryland lawmakers want to force transparency from multi-state electrical grid organization
PJM is a regional transmission organization that coordinates the electrical grid operations serving 65 million people in the Eastern US. Its member utility companies vote on policies that determine rates, green energy transitions, and other structural outcomes. Two Maryland legislators have introduced bills to force PJM to publicly release how its members vote on such decisions, given the relevance to public interest. (Robert Zullo / MoCo360)
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