The widening of Interstate 66 inside the Capital Beltway is moving forward.
Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell this week hailed a $10.2 million contract that was awarded to a construction firm for spot improvements on the four-lane highway inside the Beltway.
The $104.6 million project was fast-tracked by the school system and the county board in order to take advantage of more favorable bids from construction companies hurt by the recession. Originally, the county’s 2008 Capital Improvement Plan called for the school’s bond referendum to take place in 2012.
“By moving the project forward we will realize significant savings through reduced construction costs,” board Chairman Jay Fisette said in a statement.
Would-Be Challengers Blast Moran on Vote — Republican primary contenders Matthew Berry and Patrick Murray took turns blasting Rep. Jim Moran (D) after the long-time Northern Virginia congressman cast a futile vote to allow a congressional pay raise. Moran was on the losing side of a 405-15 vote to block an automatic increase in members’ $174,000 per year salary. More from the Sun Gazette.
Family Raises Questions About Taser Death — The family of a man who died after being Tasered by Arlington police is speaking out. Adil Jouami was unclothed, uncooperative and combative when officers arrived at a family member’s Columbia Pike apartment Friday morning, police said. Jouami’s grief-stricken family questioned the need to use a Taser on a naked, unarmed man when as many as ten officers were present at the scene. More from Fox 5.
The park is being built just north of Crystal City, adjacent to Old Jefferson Davis Highway, on perhaps the largest open, undeveloped parcel of land left in Arlington County.
Speaking before the ceremonial shoveling were Arlington County board chairman Jay Fisette, park Design Advisory Committee chairman Toby Smith, and acting county manager Barbara Donnellan. State delegates Bob Brink, Patrick Hope and Adam Ebbin were in attendance, along with Arlington board members, county staffers, and park planners.
Green Party Meeting Tonight — The Arlington Green Party is holding its monthly meeting tonight, and it promises to be an especially interesting gathering. Green Party leader Josh Ruebner suddenly resigned amid “internal squabbling” last week. Assumedly, the Greens will discuss new leadership tonight. See more community happenings in our events calendar.
Unfinished Construction Prompts Complaint — The county is trying to figure out why construction in front of Carlyle Restaurant in Shirlington has remained unfinished for six months, according to Shirlington Village Blogspot. A resident complained that there has been no work done since last fall.
Arlington’s U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) has issued a statement on the Senate filibuster that has resulted in 2,000 Department of Transportation employees being furloughed today. The furloughs have forced a number of federally-funded road construction projects, including the George Washington Parkway Humpback Bridge project, to temporarily shut down.
Here’s Rep. Moran’s statement:
