District of Columbia

How Historic Inequity Shapes D.C.’s Transit-Oriented Development
A series of articles traces the history and policies behind Washington, D.C.’s efforts to promote equitable transit-oriented development.

Want to Drive a Big Pickup Truck in D.C.? It’s About to Get (Even More) Expensive
D.C. is considering a $500 vehicle license fee for private vehicles over 6,000 pounds.

D.C. Plans for Street Safety Improvements in Adams Morgan
While residents differ on how to allocate the neighborhood’s street space, many want to see safer infrastructure for pedestrians and people on bikes.

New App Helps People With Visual Impairments Navigate Transit
The Waymap app offers precise instructions to give blind pedestrians more options for safe travel.

Austin’s Transit CEO Moving to D.C.
After overseeing a major system redesign and plans for its largest-ever expansion, the head of Capital Metro will take over Washington, D.C.’s transit agency.

Six-Story Parking Lot Nixed From D.C. Union Station Renovation Plans
The Federal Railroad Administration has removed a six-story parking facility included in a 2020 draft Environmental Impact Statement for a $10 billion renovation of Union Station in Washington, D.C.

Suburban Light Rail To Resume Construction in Maryland
After its first contractor quit more than a year ago, Maryland’s Purple Line project will resume construction with a new team and a projected opening date of 2026.

The New Normal: Less Transit, More Congestion
With transit systems still far below historic levels, and congestion not budging, the worst effects of an automobile dependent nation fall on the environment and low-income households.

Walkability Scores Don’t Tell the Whole Story
A new report concludes that common ‘walkability’ measures don’t account for many barriers faced by pedestrians, such as environmental factors and policing.

Three Concepts for a Pennsylvania Avenue Makeover
The Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative seeks to redesign the capital’s most famous thoroughfare to include more park space and pedestrian amenities.

Maryland Proposes $400 Million Redevelopment Around Commanders Stadium
The state is offering to make a massive investment in revitalizing the neighborhood surrounding FedEx Field, but offering no direct incentives to the NFL team.

Why Inclusionary Zoning Alone Won't Solve the Housing Crisis
Building enough affordable housing to meet current shortages will take more concerted effort from policymakers.

D.C. Metro Plans To Boost Transit-Oriented Development
The agency is seeking to execute joint development agreements to support more density near transit stations and boost affordable housing production.

D.C. Could Expand Traffic Camera Program
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser wants to add hundreds of new traffic enforcement cameras to stem the city's rising rate of traffic fatalities.

Car Commutes and Congestion Are Back in D.C.
Low transit ridership and a more dispersed daytime workforce are creating new headaches for car commuters in the D.C. area—in a story likely to be repeated all over the country as work returns to the office.

No Evictions for Less Than $600, Says New D.C. Law
As part of a bill that made many COVID-era tenant protections permanent, the District voted to ban eviction filings for households owing less than $600 in back rent.

D.C.'s Ambitious Bike Infrastructure Plans
The District of Columbia plans to install ten miles of protected bike lanes this year, among other improvements including additional bike parking and more e-bikes for the Capital Bikeshare fleet.

Omicron Breaks Another Pandemic Record: Hospitalizations
The highly infectious Omicron variant is contributing to a record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S. The record set in last winter's surge fell on Tuesday as hospitals suffer from massive labor shortages caused by the variant.

What Transit Systems Can Learn From D.C. Metro
The nation's second-largest transit system—and one of its newest—persists in the face of a host of challenges exacerbated by the pandemic.

In D.C., Employers Will Refund Workers Who Leave the Car at Home
D.C. has passed a "parking cash-out" law that goes further than a few preexisting examples to reward commuters who leave their cars at home.
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