The latest streets and transportation news from Streetsblog USA.
The two biggest technical problems with DC Streetcar have been friction with cars and the fact that it’s too short to be useful for many trips.
That’s technical. Politically, the two biggest problems were named Bowser and Mendelson. Although the District Department of Transportation drew up multiple plans to relieve the operational problems, either Mayor Muriel Bowser or DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson stepped in to thwart every single attempt.
It didn’t have to be that way. The streetcar’s failures are not inherent, they’re supervisory. As the streetcar winds down for its March 31 closure, let’s recount those derailments of stewardship. Check that out — and more of today’s headlines — at the links below.
Economic populism helped vault Trump into power. Could a green version of it take that power back — and what role would transportation play?
It’s untenable, but we might miss the gas tax when it’s gone.
“The future of affordable transportation may not begin at the gas pump.”
