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THE BIG IDEA

All Aboard! Virginia rail commissions approve $155M Manassas Line deal

Two key rail commissions approved a deal to expand Virginia Railway Express (VRE) operations on the Manassas Line. The new funding will extend tracks, platforms, and supporting infrastructure.

The $155M of total investment is part of Virginia's larger $3.7B rail expansion program, and will create capacity for more daily trains through the corridor.

Why it matters:

The infrastructure upgrade aims to reduce the notorious Northern Virginia traffic congestion that costs commuters countless hours and billions in economic productivity annually.

The project delivers on Virginia's commitment to expanding public transportation options while supporting regional economic growth. And in an era of climate concerns, each full train takes hundreds of cars off the road.

The project now moves to implementation phase, with construction timelines and service expansions to be announced in the coming months.

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Bulletin Board 📌 

Reader Restaurant Recommendation:

Manaal recommends you guys visit CHA Street Food for their South-Asian inspired cuisine. They started as a food truck behind Springfield Mall, and now have two beautiful locations in Sterling and Tysons. Manaal says that the Zinger Burger is a must try!

QUICK HITS

• TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was spotted while in line at a Starbucks in Washington DC ☕️ 

• Jeopardy is coming to the Lincoln Theatre for three days in April 📺️ 

• GMU Professor and renowned economist Tyler Cowen breaks down how he uses different AI tools and the pros/cons of each 🤖 

• Apparently, Loudoun County has their own professional basketball team! 🏀 

LIVE EVENT LOWDOWN

Friday

• Super Pet Expo | the ultimate 3-day event for pet owners, kicking off today at Dulles Expo Center 🐶 

• Holi in the District | authentic Indian food, music, dancing, and more at Union Market in DC 🪔 

• LEGO Adult Night | a St. Patrick’s themed night out for adults at the Lego Discovery Center in Springfield 🧱 

•  Salamander Search | bring the family and observe salamanders at Long Branch Nature Center 🦎 

Saturday

• Teddy Bear Clinic | Inova Loudoun Hospital is teaching kids about hospitals in a hands-on way. Bring a stuffed animal for checkups and more! 🧸 

• Shamrock Bash | 3 floors worth of games, drinks, and more at the Clarendon Ballroom ☘️ 

•  Flea Market Arts & Crafts Fair | unique, antique, retro, and handemade wares from 45 vendors under one roof in Alexandria 🛍️ 

• Ireland at the Wharf | where DC meets Ireland. Celebrate St Patrick’s Day on the water this year! 🇮🇪 

• Raptors of the Potomac | come hang out with owls at Potomac Overlook Regional Park 🦉 

• Lucky’s Bar Crawl | the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl of the best bars in Alexandria! 🍺 

Sunday

• Golden Girls | Miami’s sassiest seniors return for one more hurrah with a new show at Capital One Hall in Tysons ☘️ 

• Forbidden Broadway | hilarious parodies of current plays and musicals at Alden Theatre in McLean. Perfect for Broadway die hards and new fans alike 🎭️ 

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