Jack Evans: 'No Plan B' for Metro funding
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan got a backhand on Thursday regarding their positions on a new 1 cent regional sales tax to fund the D.C. region's Metro transit system.
Transportation & Infrastructure
Coverage of the Department of Transportation and everything related to the nation's infrastructure.
Why technology jobs belong in America
By Harley Lippman
Today up to one-third of all U.S. companies outsource work abroad to save money. Published September 17, 2017
Recent Stories
D.C. to target zombie properties
The District has long kept tabs on vacant properties, blighted buildings and so-called nuisance properties. The city even went a step further and began using tax dollars to blast graffiti off other's people's property.
America's unfriendly skies
Liberals love to portray the Republicans as the party of the rich and powerful. The GOP has tried valiantly to shed that criticism, but then why are so many in the party defending the special interest favors that go to private and corporate jet owners over the interests of all the rest of us? Do Warren Buffett and LeBron James really need a taxpayer subsidy to jet across the country?
Boeing takes on a competitor
In the most recent quarter, Boeing reported profits well-ahead of analysts' expectations and increased its earnings projections for the full year. A large part of the profit was generated by record-high production rates on the 737 aircraft, and about a $530 million cash injection from 787 orders.
Tax-exempt municipal bonds are essential to building American infrastructure
Electricity powers our homes, businesses and the infrastructure that makes our communities livable and commerce possible — street lights, airports, ports, subways, schools, hospitals, police and fire stations, courthouses, libraries and the like.
Lessons from Hurricane Harvey
By the time all the measuring and calculating is done, Hurricane Harvey will prove an era-defining storm. Federal and state officials performed admirably to limit the suffering and loss of life, but the whole mess is far worse than it needed to be.
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas could need up to $180 billion for Harvey recovery
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday said the price tag for Hurricane Harvey relief could reach as high as $180 billion.
Trump declares emergency in Louisiana amid Harvey recovery
President Trump on Monday issued a federal emergency declaration for Louisiana, as officials grappled with the devastating floods and heavy rains associated with Hurricane Harvey.
Protecting the American steel industry
President Trump's recent address on his Afghanistan strategy has already become a pivotal moment in his presidency. While opting to increase troops in Afghanistan, Mr. Trump shifted U.S. goals away from nation building to "pursuing our security interests above all other considerations." As a Republican, I applaud the president's renewed focus on U.S. national security, and implore him to take decisive action to protect industries that are strategically important to U.S. national security, like the American steel industry.
Trump approves Washington, D.C.-area transit safety commission
A transit safety commission for the Washington, D.C.-area has been approved by President Donald Trump.
Rep. Kevin Brady downplays notion of using tax reform to pay for infrastructure
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady said Tuesday he's looking at using would-be revenues from tax reform to pay for lowering rates elsewhere, rather than plowing the money into infrastructure investments in the United States.
Repairing, updating and expanding infrastructure
One of the biggest barriers to investment in infrastructure all across the United States is the long, costly, and unpredictable permitting process. If you have any doubts, just consider the Keystone XL pipeline extension.
Trump kills advisory panel on infrastructure needs
President Trump on Thursday abandoned plans to create an advisory board on infrastructure, the third business-related setback of the week amid CEOs turning their backs on him.
ACLU lawyer opposes group's representation of Milo Yiannopoulos in D.C. transit ad suit
An American Civil Liberties Union attorney who represented WikiLeaks source Chelsea Manning has taken aim at his own organization's decision to represent far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos in a free speech suit filed Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
Change from Verizon Center to Capital One Arena in D.C. comes with promises of improvements
New signs, shorter lines and a better overall experience — that's what the name change at the Verizon Center turned Capital One Arena will mean for fans, Ted Leonsis promised Wednesday.
Milo Yiannopoulos, ACLU sue D.C. Metro transit system
Controversial conservative Milo Yiannopoulos sued Washington's Metro transit system Wednesday, demanding the agency restore ads for his book in its subways.
U.S. nixes sleep apnea test plan for truckers, train engineers
U.S. officials are abandoning plans to require sleep apnea screening for truck drivers and train engineers, a decision that safety experts say puts millions of lives at risk.
Teen jumps out of plane emergency door at San Francisco Airport
A teenage boy traveling alone opened an emergency door after his plane landed, slid down the wing and jumped onto a tarmac at San Francisco before shocked passengers could do anything to stop him, witnesses said.
Taking broadband to the country
Microsoft President Brad Smith announced recently a broad, sustained, cooperative initiative among private industry and federal, state and local governments to extend broadband access ultimately to all Americans, focused in particular on rural America, where broadband has been most lagging. He discussed the issue at a Media Institute luncheon in Washington, D.C., on July 11.
Flying well: Dr. Oz pops up aboard Turkish Airlines flight with tips on healthy traveling
Dr. Mehmet Oz made a surprise appearance aboard a Turkish Airlines flight bound for New York from Istanbul this week to tape a segment about a topic many of us know all too well: The vexing discomforts of long-haul flying.
Ohio Supreme Court strikes down restrictions on traffic cameras
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that enforcing traffic laws by camera is legal, rejecting an effort by the state to require that a police officer be present at the time of the offense for tickets to be valid.
Stability concerns may shutter Virginia's Natural Bridge
Virginia officials are testing the stability of an ancient landmark -- Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County -- amid concerns about the arch's sturdiness after decades of supporting part of U.S. Route 11 (Lee Highway).
D.C. Metro system replaces all old rail cars with safer series
Metro finally has retired its 41-year-old rail cars -- seven years after federal inspectors said they posed "an unacceptable risk" to subway riders and were partially to blame for the transit system's deadliest crash.
Putting American steelworkers first
As President Trump returns from his first G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, we are reminded that some countries do not want to see America grow stronger and be a beacon for freedom around the globe. During his historic inauguration speech while speaking about the decline of American industry, Mr. Trump made clear that "this American carnage stops right here and stops right now." It's clear that the carnage that has taken place in U.S. industries such as steel and aluminum needs to come to an end. As Mr. Trump has said repeatedly, we need to "buy American and hire American."
Metro's first fiscal year meeting focus on increasing revenue
Increasing revenue dominated much of Metro's first committee meetings of the fiscal year, while board members discussed internal reforms that could pave the way to dedicated taxpayer funding.
Six foreign airports earn their way off DHS's laptop ban
Six of the 10 airports that faced the laptop ban have already improved their screening enough to earn their way off the ban list, Homeland Security announced Tuesday, as it tries to raise the global level of explosives screening.
Administration cancels long-planned relocation of FBI headquarters
The General Services Administration announced Tuesday that it has canceled plans to move the FBI from its downtown Washington, D.C., location to the suburbs.
FAA facility evacuation grounds planes at D.C. airports
Flights into and out of three airports in the Washington region were affected by a construction-related evacuation at a Federal Aviation Administration facility in Virginia.
Penn Station track repairs begin; fewer trains at peak time
The day of reckoning has come for rail commuters into New York City. Amtrak has begun extensive repairs Monday to tracks and signals in Penn Station, which it owns and operates.
Amtrak suspends service between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore
Amtrak says service between Baltimore and Washington has resumed after it was suspended while officials investigated a report of a suspicious item along the tracks.
National Transportation Safety Board investigating fatal track accident near Union Station in D.C.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a fatal incident Wednesday involving an Amtrak train near Washington, D.C.
Amtrak: 2 people struck on train tracks in D.C.
Two railroad workers were killed when they were hit by an Amtrak train that was approaching a station in Washington, D.C.
Human error caused NYC subway train derailment, transit agency says
A subway train derailment in New York City that injured nearly three dozen people and sparked major delays is being blamed on human error, not a track defect.
Metro service disruptions persist as SafeTrack ends
Monday marked the first weekday after the completion of the yearlong SafeTrack maintenance program for the 41-year-old subway. It was also the first weekday of higher fares and shortened hours. Most Metrorail fares increased 10 or 25 cents; Metrobus fares rose 25 cents.
Paul Wiedefeld wants $500 million per year from governments for Metro
Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld wants the governments served by the transit system to pony up $500 million a year, without fare increases or any more service cuts.
Nader sees legal, ethical, political issues with self-driving cars
Longtime safety advocate Ralph Nader blasted auto companies and Silicon Valley on Wednesday, accusing them of lacking legal, ethical and policy frameworks for the testing and future deployment of driverless vehicles.
North Korea's hack threat
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security warned this week that North Korea is using malicious software to set up networks of hijacked computer devices that can be used in large-scale cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.
Uber chief Kalanick kicks self to curb as misconduct report for ride-sharing giant released
Uber founder and CEO Travis Kalanick is taking a leave of absence following a report issued to employees Tuesday that recommended, among other things, a thorough review of his record running the company.
D.C. mayor attempts to restore $55 million in funding to expand D.C. Streetcar's route
Officials from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's administration made a last-ditch effort Monday to restore $55 million in funding to expand the D.C. Streetcar's route. But city lawmakers are unlikely to delay a vote on the nearly $14 billion budget for a transportation project plagued by problems.
Federal government owns little infrastructure for Trump to privatize
A coalition of liberal activists and Democratic lawmakers has launched a national campaign against President Trump's infrastructure program that accuses him of attempting to privatize the country's highways, bridges and other public assets.
The economy of mass prosperity
After proposing $1 trillion investment into infrastructure, the Trump administration is harnessing the brainpower of renowned experts to unlock the insoluble problem of how many jobs will be created for each billion dollars of spending. While stressing the obvious, the administration is missing the important point.
Trump calls for rebuilding transportation systems, blasts Democrats as obstructionist
Standing on the banks of the Ohio River, President Trump pledged Wednesday to rebuild America's waterway transportation system and took a swipe at Democrats for failing to support his efforts.
Cohn says approval process reform part of infrastructure plan
National Economic Director Gary Cohn said Wednesday that one of the objectives of the infrastructure program is reforming the approval process.
Cementing a long-term deal with Greece
Since World War II, the Mediterranean Sea has been the home to the U.S. Sixth Fleet, whose mission is to conduct "the full range of Maritime Operations and Theater Security Cooperation missions to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa."
Trump unveils plan to privatize, modernize air traffic control system
President Trump unveiled a plan Monday to privatize the country's air traffic control system, part of his push for a major overhaul of America's highways, bridges, waterways and airports.
Kildee, Michigan Dem: Trump's infrastructure plan needs to be 'big enough' to support
Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan said Monday that President Trump's infrastructure plan would need to be big enough to make a difference in order to get support from Democrats like him.
Trump's plan for more and better jobs
Good jobs are still too scarce, and the country needs President Trump's trade, budget and tax reforms to restore opportunity, accountability and the American dream.
Laptop ban still 'on the table' as DHS seeks answers to airline terror threats
Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly is still eyeing expansion of the ban on electronic devices being carried onto airplanes, the department said Tuesday after Mr. Kelly held follow-up negotiations with European officials.
Trump's infrastructure budget ripped by Democrats
President Trump's plan to rebuild America's roads, bridges, seaports and airports was supposed to be one of the few areas ripe for bipartisan cooperation, but it got raspberries from Capitol Hill Democrats when presented as a $200 billion budget priority.
Trump budget calls for loosening toll restrictions on interstate highways: Report
As millions of Americans plan to hit the open road for the long Memorial Day weekend, a proposal in President Trump's first budget is getting attention for a provision to allow more tolling on the nation's interstate highways.
Hawaii jet took off with unruly passenger despite red flags
Anil Uskanli, who authorities say inspired so much fear among flight attendants that military fighter jets were scrambled to escort the plane to Hawaii, raised a series of possible red flags between purchasing his ticket and being the first passenger to board the American Airlines flight.
California Gov. Jerry Brown's 'freeloaders' barb riles gas-tax opponents
California Gov. Jerry Brown may have been trying to shame opponents of his gas-and-car tax increase by calling them "freeloaders," but so far the barb has backfired.
Drone hobbyists do not need to register with FAA, court rules: Report
The FAA cannot require amateur drone pilots to register with the FAA, a federal judge ruled Friday.
D.C. pitches two new affordable housing curveballs
So, what is affordable housing? It depends -- affordable means one thing to you and another to government folks.
D.C. bill would address affordable housing by converting old office buildings into low-cost homes
The D.C. Council is mulling several bills to increase affordable housing, as rising rents and home prices push longtime residents out of the city.
Walter E. Washington Convention Center's owners want to give it an upgrade
Amid an economic boom downtown, owners of the District's convention center plan to upgrade the behemoth concrete-and-glass building in the Shaw neighborhood.
Ensuring 'Open Skies' still flies
As President Reagan's former transportation secretary, it's gratifying to see Washington is finally finding the gas pedal when it comes to infrastructure. We all have seen the cost of poor infrastructure, slowing down both us and U.S. businesses. But while we work ourselves out of a backlog of technology, concrete and steel problems, it's also time for Congress and the administration to cast a critical eye toward the operational risks facing our infrastructure.
Fixing our infrastructure without breaking the bank
Crumbling roads, decrepit bridges, obsolete airports. Politicians often paint a hyperbolic picture of America in disrepair. It helps drum up support for a politically appealing twofer offer: to fix the nation's aging infrastructure and put Americans back to work.
Factory wages too low to generate Rust Belt renaissance promised by Trump, study finds
President Trump made boosting manufacturing the centerpiece of his economic agenda, vowing to revitalize blue-collar America, but factories just aren't what they used to be, and the notion of "good-paying" manufacturing jobs that connect high school graduates to the middle class is quickly becoming a myth.
Virgin Atlantic responds after disabled woman says she was barred from lounge over service dog
Virgin Atlantic has vowed to remind staff about its policy regarding service animals after a disabled California woman says she was denied entry to the airline's waiting lounge because of her dog.
Recent Opinion Columns
A cure for the common queue at the airport
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is legendary for not giving a hoot about the convenience or dignity of travelers who must pass through its airport gantlets.
Bypassing incompetence on toll roads
The key to success in business is seizing opportunity.
From The Vault
Nancy Pelosi sees common ground with Donald Trump on infrastructure
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi promised Wednesday to respect the outcome of the election and said she could see common ground with President-elect Donald Trump on at least one issue: rebuilding infrastructure.
Alaska kills infamous 'bridge to nowhere' that helped put end to earmarks
Alaska officials have put the final kibosh on the infamous "bridge to nowhere" -- a $400 million project tucked into the federal transportation plan 10 years ago that became the symbol of Washington pork, spawned massive voter outrage and forever changed the way the government does business.
Millions in HUD money went to lobbying, not housing
Despite a prohibition against taxpayer money being spent to influence government, millions of dollars meant to provide housing to poor and underprivileged areas instead went to lobbying because of lax oversight by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
