District Line Daily: 2020 Vision - Washington City Paper

The Council sent Mayor Muriel Bowser a long list of road-safety measures that aim to achieve zero traffic deaths and serious injuries in D.C. by 2024. So far in 2020, the city has experienced 29 traffic fatalities, an 81 percent increase compared to this time last year.

The Vision Zero Omnibus bill passed unanimously. It’s been in the works for 16 months, per DCist.

Here is some of what the bill does, as it has over a dozen provisions:

Bans right-on-red turns in busy pedestrian intersections
Requires sidewalks to be installed on both sides of the street and to mark unmarked crosswalks
Expands the number of red light cameras and stop sign cameras to 125 and 30, respectively
Creates bus lane cameras to catch drivers who aren’t supposed to be on bus lanes
Mandates bikers have tail lights at night
Demands the District’s Department of Transportation review 15 of the District’s most dangerous streets

Already one provision is in effect: cutting the speed limit to 20 mph on most local roads. This went into effect June 1.

“Because many changes in this bill require additional funding to implement, we still have a long road ahead to fully fund the bill during next year’s budget. Much more on this to come,” tweeted Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

The city’s budget office estimates the package will cost $171 million over four years. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen tells the Post the estimate is “flat-out wrong.”

Can’t get enough? The Washington Area Bicyclist Association is hosting a “Washington Region Vision Zero Summit” Thursday to discuss best practices to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on roads.

ICYMI: Earlier this year journalist and cartoonist Josh Kramer wrote and drew a comic depicting biking in D.C.

—Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)

As of Sept. 23, D.C. reported no additional deaths related to COVID-19 but 29 new positive cases. The total number of infections is 15,050. [EOM]
For 12 DC Public Schools, in-person instruction could start earlier than Nov. 6 after principals sent proposals to the central office. [Fox5]
The severe damage that came from the Sept. 10 storm was a result of too much paved surface area, and green infrastructure could help, say experts. [Street Justice]
D.C.’s new area code will be 771. [WJLA]

—Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com)

Mayor Muriel Bowser withdrew her request for $1 million to construct a luxury viewing booth for the inauguration parade. [Twitter, WCP]
“The haunting in the Ward 2 DC Council race.” [DC Line]
The D.C. Council expanded and passed multiple protections for renters. [DCist]
Howard University gets a $225 million tax break amid an ethics scandal. [Post]
An evangelical church is suing the District over COVID restrictions. [Post]

By Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com)

Find Lumpia, Crab Rangoon, and Ube Rice on a Caterer’s ‘Staycation Platters’

Ben Lin is struggling with the wanderlust that accompanies not being able travel during a […]

A caviar and wine bar from three sommeliers is coming to Georgetown. [WCP]
Get paid in cider to help ANXO pick apples in D.C. [Washingtonian]
People are buying a lot of tofu during the pandemic. [Post]
In the other Washington, DoorDash and Postmates must pay hazard pay to their gig workers. [Eater]

By Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com)

Howard University associate professor Amy Yeboah takes a deep look at films about slavery, and speaks to how they should evolve. [Post]
WAMU names Esther Ciammachilli the new host of Morning Edition, starting Oct. 1. [DCist]
The National Zoo’s baby panda is now one month old. [Washingtonian]

By Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

Yadiel Hernández’s first MLB home run gave the Nationals a 8-7 walk-off win over the Phillies last night and the Nats swept the doubleheader. [Federal Baseball]
Former Washington Spirit rookie Kaiya McCullough may have left the NWSL and the United Skates for Germany, but her impact off the field is still being felt. [The Equalizer]
John Carlson didn’t win the Norris Trophy given to the NHL’s top defenseman (he finished second), and while many feel Carlson was robbed, Ian Oland argues that voters got it right. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]

By Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)