Washington's MetroRail subway system was back to normal operations Wednesday morning after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake Tuesday afternoon caused the system to limit trains to 15 miles per hour as federal buildings emptied out for an early rush hour.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which operates MetroRail and the MetroBus system in the capital, said that as of 5 a.m. Wednesday, trains were back to running at full speed and operations were normal.

WMATA said that during the period when speeds on trains were restricted, it inspected 106 miles of tracks as well as bridges and tunnels for structural damage.

The liberal senator said GOP efforts to deregulate Wall Street will keep gas prices high.

Your morning transportation speed-read:

Workers at Saab might not be paid for August.

A man arrested for having a gun at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport says bringing it to the airport was an accident.

New protections for airline passengers took effect this week.

A new commuter rail in Florida is moving ahead.

The Federal Aviation Administration is holding airplanes destined for airports along the East Coast on Tuesday afternoon, as the region continues to react to an earthquake that shook several major cities, according to news reports.

The Associated Press reported that the FAA placed a hold on flights to Washington, Philadelphia and New York City.

Several airlines, including Delta and JetBlue, reported delays on flights to those destinations.

Subway trains in Washington, D.C., were slowed to 15 miles per hour after the capital city experienced a large-scale earthquake Tuesday, officials said.

Multiple buildings in the D.C. area — including the White House and the Capitol — were evacuated Tuesday after a 5.9-magnitude quake struck at 1:51 p.m. But the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said that it would not stop running trains in the metro area. 

The agency said that no passengers who were onboard trains when the earthquake hit were injured and that it was checking rails through the system.

Riders were warned to expect significant delays until trains resume running at full speed.

Ron Bloom, the former “auto czar”, said the government had no choice but to bail out Chrysler and General Motors.

Your morning transportation speed-read:

San Francisco's Bay Area Transit System is bracing for another protest.

Ford and Toyota are working together on electric powertrain technology for trucks and SUVs.

The outgoing White House car czar is defending the auto bailouts of 2008 and 2009.

Southwest Airlines is preparing for its merger with AirTran Airways.

The funds will be used for improvements along the Northeast Corridor, said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in a statement.

An improvement program for airports should be in the Department of Transportation's budget next year, the trade association representing airports said Monday.

In a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Airports Council International-North America President Greg Principato argued that the program meets the job creation and economic growth criteria laid out for federal agencies by White House budget officials.

"As you begin to prepare your Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal, I urge you to consider the impact airports have as local economic engines in communities across the country," Principato wrote Monday. "Now is the time for airports to invest in infrastructure, safety and security projects that not only benefit the traveling public but also create jobs and spur growth in cities and towns around the United States."

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