Arlington tourism revenue hits record $4.5 billion

According to the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service, the county’s visitor spending reached $4.5 billion in 2023, a 16% increase compared to 2022. Arlington County was among the hardest hit in Virginia for tourism during the pandemic. According to these data, tourism supported 27,600 jobs and generated $341 million in state and local tax revenue.  (Jeff Clabaugh / WTOP, Katie Taranto / ARLnow)  

NPS issues guidance for getting around DC—and to the fireworks display—on the Fourth of July

To accommodate the National Independence Day Parade and fireworks, the National Park Service will be closing many roads to car traffic beginning at 4:00 am, including Constitution and Independence Avenues. Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess will be fare-free from 5:00 pm, and firework-watchers are encouraged to ride Metro. Smithsonian Station will be extremely crowded after the fireworks show, so officials urge visitors to use nearby stations as alternatives.  (Scott Gelman / WTOP, WUSA9, Danny Nguyen / Post)  

WMATA adjusts Red Line shuttle service to prevent bus congestion

WMATA updated routes for its free shuttle bus service intended to supplement portions of the Red Line closed for maintenance and construction this summer. According to WMATA, the move is meant to help ease traffic at the Silver Spring Transit Center. The Red Line Limited 2 loop has been replaced by two loops. The first, the Forest Glen Express, serves Forest Glen to Fort Totten. The second, the Silver Spring Express, serves Silver Spring to Fort Totten.  (Noah Johnson / MoCo360)  

Vienna’s largest solar project? A church parking lot

The Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna is completing the permitting to build a 176-kilowatt solar canopy over their parking lot. Coupled with a rooftop solar array, the project should support all the church’s electrical needs. Construction is planned to begin in mid to late July and is slated to finish by mid-October.  (Angela Woolsey / FFXnow)  

Maryland Board of Public Works to vote on Key Bridge debris cleanup contract today

The board will vote to award the $50 million contract today, July 3. While the Skanska Group, a Sweden-based construction company, was selected by the Maryland Transportation Authority on an emergency basis to clear debris immediately following the collapse of the Key Bridge, the Office of the Attorney General has advised that the contract must now go to the board. (This article may be behind a paywall).  (Michael Laris / Post)  

Key Bridge collapse complicates Maryland toll projections

The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge will cost Maryland an estimated $141 million in lost toll revenue over the next six years. The Maryland Transportation Authority’s Director of Finance stated that the loss will likely expedite systemwide toll increases expected by FY 2028 to maintain legal revenue-to-debt service ratios.  (Bryan P. Sears / Maryland Matters)  

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