Image of front of Regional Travely Survey postcard
Regional Travel Survey invitations will arrive in mailboxes soon. If your household receives a survey postcard, don't miss the chance to participate. Your responses will help shape the future of travel in the DMV! Learn more at bit.ly/4dBjEii
A major transportation survey is hitting mailboxes across the region. If you're selected, don't miss the chance to represent households like yours and help shape the future of travel in the DMV! Learn more at bit.ly/4dBjEii
@ddotdc.bsky.social @marylanddot.bsky.social @vadotnova.bsky.social
Need relief from high gas prices? Commuter Connections rewards you for taking transit, carpooling, or biking to work. Earn cash, win prizes, and help build a sustainable region. 🚌🚲💸
Learn more: commuterconnections.org
Graphic displaying Transportation Planning Board Meeting, March 18, 12:00 P.M.
Today, 3/18: Tune in at 12:00 P.M. to listen to the monthly TPB board meeting. Agenda, presentations, and livestream available at bit.ly/4rXv2J3
Regional Travel Survey logo with words Planning Our Future Together and transportation and Washington DC icons
TPB’s Regional Travel Survey launches this spring. Planners & local agencies rely on the data collected to understand travel demand and transportation needs across the DMV. Survey invitation postcards will be mailed in the weeks ahead. Learn more: bit.ly/4bocs6j
That grease you pour down the drain doesn’t disappear. It can cool and cling to what’s already stuck, especially wipes, turning small buildups into major blockages. Save yourself stress (and protect local infrastructure): cool it, collect it, trash it—and never flush wipes.
Stay #WeatherAware for severe storms in the #DMV this afternoon:
👉Follow @dmvweather.bsky.social & local news for latest info + have a way to get storm warnings
⛈️When storms arrive, don't be outdoors & stay off the roads if possible
🔋Be prepared for power outages, charge your devices
March's meeting of the COG Board of Directors starts soon! On the docket: an update on the Potomac Interceptor pipeline collapse response, results of the 2025 State of the Commute survey, and outcomes from COG's data center forums so far.
Tune in: bit.ly/3Nb1xoG
Celebrate 25 years of Bike to Work Day! 🚲 Registration is officially open for this milestone event on May 15. Whether you’re a pro or a first-timer, join us at 100+ pit stops across the DMV. Let’s ride toward a more sustainable future together. biketoworkmetrodc.org #BTWD2026
Government agencies and partners from across the DMV have been testing water quality since the pipeline break and repairs. COG has an interactive map of all the locations with links to the data, which shows steady improvements. www.mwcog.org/potomacinterceptor
Executive Director Clark Mercer highlights workforce innovation in COG's Learners Program and Talent Capital. From apprenticeships to AI-powered job matching, our region is investing in people. 💡 Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2OA...
Bike to Work Day May 15 Register for Free Today!
Put a new spin on your commute! Bike to Work Day is May 15, 2026. The first 18,000 who register and participate can pick up a free T-shirt and other goodies at one of more than 100 pit stops around the DC-MD-VA region. Register today for free at biketoworkmetrodc.org
Starting Fall 2026, Metro is proposing two U-Pass options:
• Universal model: $1 per day with full student participation
• Opt-In model: $1.75 per day with a 33% minimum participation requirement
More flexibility for universities = More affordable transit for students
As the region recovers from the Potomac sewage spill, do your part to prevent more sewage overflows. Don't flush any wipes, even wipes labeled "flushable." They don't dissolve and can clog pipes.
An image of a drinking glass with the text "Your Water is A-OK."
Our region's drinking water from the Potomac River is not impacted by the sewage spill.
TPB FY 2027-2028 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program projects table
The TPB approved over $12 million in federal Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program funding today for seven small-scale projects in Virginia that will support safe walking, transit access, and ADA accessibility. Learn more about the projects: bit.ly/3ZJlQfC
Looking for “the one?” 💙
Skip plastic and fall in love with tap water. It’s affordable, tested around the clock, and good for the environment, unlike single-use plastic bottles that create waste. Skip plastic and choose the one that treats you, your wallet, and the planet best.
Protect your pipes and keep wipes out of the toilet. This week, wipes led to a clog in two DC Water pumps during a high‑flow period. To protect our infrastructure and waterways, always toss wipes, even “flushable” ones, in the trash. Learn more at protectyourpipes.org/ #protectyourpipes
COG agrees - partnership is key to making our region the strongest in the country. We applaud our three executives for meeting today and look forward to future collaborations to benefit the 6M people that call our region home.
DMVMoves outreach is going strong. COG and WMATA testified in Annapolis yesterday, and our regional transit vision continues to earn endorsements. Let's keep moving forward, together.
How has your commute changed? The 2025 State of the Commute dashboard is live! Do you take transit, carpool, drive alone—and how satisfied are you with your commute? Explore trends by income and jurisdiction to see how metropolitan Washington moves:
mwcog.org/commutedata
A graph showing the unemployment rate in the Washington MSA compared to the U.S. rate
The unemployment rate for Washington’s MSA rose to 4.5% in Nov 2025. This surpasses the U.S. rate—a rare occurrence, and it’s the highest level since August 2021, during the pandemic.
📊Explore COG’s economic trends dashboard for more: bit.ly/3LW3kgI
The 2025 State of the Commute report highlights a shift back to the office. Telework rates fell from 65 % in 2022 to 48 % in 2025. COG’s Commuter Connections can help these returning commuters with our free services and incentive programs.
More: mwcog.org/commutedata
An image of a river with text overlay that reads "Additional Funding Secured: Washington Region Secondary Water Source Feasibility Study included in FY26 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill"
COG applauds the passage of $1.8M in federal funding for the regional secondary water source study last week. We thank our Congressional Delegation for its leadership and look forward to continuing work with the US Army Corps of Engineers - Baltimore and our partners to advance this vital effort.
An image of a pipe with ice bursting from it. A text overlay reads "Protect your pipes this winter."
When temperatures drop, insulate exposed pipes, seal air leaks around doors and windows, and keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate. Let faucets drip during extreme cold to help reduce pressure and prevent freezing. 🚰❄️
protectyourpipes.org/frozen-pipes
Winter Salt Week kicks off today!🧂After the snow melts, don’t forget about your leftover salt. Sweeping and storing it for next time helps keep it out of storm drains and local streams and rivers. A few minutes of cleanup can protect our region’s water! bit.ly/4bkY1BJ #WinterSaltWeek2026
A Snow Emergency will go into effect Saturday at noon.
And remain in effect until Tuesday at 9:30AM.
That means residents need to move their vehicles out of Snow Emergency Routes as soon as possible to give our snow teams space to plow.
🌨️
✅ Stock your vehicle with a winter weather emergency kit
✅ Adjust your travel plans to arrive to your destination before the storm
✅ Stay weather alert by following TheMDTA, Maryland Transit Administration, MD State Highway Administration and Maryland Department of Emergency Management.
Winter Storm Planning Timeline infographic set against a snowy night background. Header: "The day before." Text: Forecast accuracy continues to improve, so keep checking the latest. Three items follow: Adjust plans; Have multiple ways to receive warnings; Bring pets indoors and ensure they have water.
A significant, long-duration winter storm will bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, & freezing rain to a large part of the U.S. through Monday. Widespread travel disruptions, prolonged power outages, and vast tree damage is likely.
Bookmark weather.gov/safety/winter more winter weather safety tips.
🚰With snow in the forecast, remember to protect your pipes from freezing and use winter salt responsibly. Too much salt can wash into our rivers and streams, affecting drinking water, wildlife, and local infrastructure. #WinterSaltSmart #ProtectYourPipes
