<Does the Peak Oil "Myth" Just Fall Down? -- Our Response to CERA The Oil Drum Coal in an Engine does not need Fischer Tropsch>
<DrumBeat: February 4, 2007 DrumBeat DrumBeat: February 6, 2007>

248 comments on DrumBeat: February 5, 2007

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

Show without comments | PDF version

AlanfromBigEasy on February 5, 2007 - 10:20am Permalink | Subthread | Comments top

Washington D.C. Prepares a Master Pedestrian Plan

To make life easier for pedestrians, they want to widen sidewalks, redesign crossings and reduce driving speeds. They want to know where brighter lighting is needed, where more trees should be planted, which intersections are too perilous for foot traffic...

With its first Pedestrian Master Plan, the District is joining a nationwide trend toward more walkable and less car-reliant communities. In the past few years, a growing number of cities, including Cambridge, Mass., and Portland, Ore., have adopted blueprints for how best to encourage and protect pedestrians. In the Washington region, Arlington and Loudoun counties also have adopted detailed pedestrian plan

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/04/AR200702...

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
dinopello on February 5, 2007 - 12:52pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Also check out the Arlington Master Transportation Plan (draft II)

http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/planning...

Including the Following Elements
Streets
Transit
Bicycle
Pedestrian
TDM
Parking and Curbspace

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Laurence Aurbach on February 5, 2007 - 1:14pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

By the way, the new DC director of planning, Harriet Tregoning, spoke at a sold-out event at the National Building Museum last week. Tregoning is a longtime leader in the smart growth field, and she strongly supported new trolleys and streetcars in DC. Expect to see action on existing proposals and, possibly, additional routes proposed.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
ericy on February 5, 2007 - 2:01pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

There have been some developments in the push for a Metro tunnel in Tysons corner.

http://www.raisingkaine.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=6944

The DC Examiner writes (and other sources confirm) that West*Group, the largest landowner in Tysons Corner, has sent a letter to Governor Kaine offering to pay for any difference in cost between a tunnel and an elevated railway. They sent this on behalf of a large coalition of Tysons businesses who are willing to put their money where their mouth is. This shows their utter confidence in the independent study of the tunnel option which they commissioned. These companies are supporters of the TysonsTunnel.org group.

I have some very reliable sources that have confirmed that Dragados, a Spanish tunneling company and part of Grupo ACS, has submitted a firm, fixed price bid to do the Tysons portion of the tunnel (including the stations) for $823 million. That's $200 million less than Bechtel's elevated rail and 12 months faster! My sources also have indication that Governor Kaine is trying to get the expensive, sole-source contract signed with Bechtel as soon as possible before this whole thing gets any more attention.

Emphasis mine.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
AlanfromBigEasy on February 5, 2007 - 8:58pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I have been involved with the various issues around the Anacostia Streetcar Line, walked the route, made suggestions, etc.

John Deatrick, chief Engineer of DC DOT has been the driving force behind streetcars for many years now. I know him well.

I had a "Collabrative Endeavor" draft on building streetcar lines between DC DOT, New Orleans Public Works and New Orleans RTA in his in-box when Katrina hit.

Best Hopes,

Alan

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
totoneila on February 5, 2007 - 9:26pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Hello AlanfromBigEasy,

I consider you one of the TOD PTB for your tireless efforts at promoting RRs & Mass-transit. Because of your postings: I can't imagine anyone on TOD locally voting down an urban transit proposal. I hope your endeavors and influence continue to grow--keep up the good fight!

Bob Shaw in Phx,Az Are Humans Smarter than Yeast?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.
Hothgor on February 6, 2007 - 1:38am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I agree, though I think a strong Mass-transit program needs to include an emphasis on car pooling with electrified cars.

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

248 comments on DrumBeat: February 5, 2007

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

Show without comments | PDF version