For Immediate Release: Friday, May 17, 2019
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 17, 2019—Montgomery County Councilmember Tom Hucker, who chairs the Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee, responded today to the announcement by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) of an I-270 and I-495 Managed Lanes Transit Work Group. The stated purpose of this work group is “to explore how managed lanes on I-495 and I-270 will complement and benefit local transit agencies in Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and Washington, D.C.”
The complete text of Councilmember Hucker’s statement:
Secretary Pete K. Rahn and MDOT have been widely criticized for ignoring transit as part of the balanced solution that is needed to address congestion in the Washington metropolitan region, and for breaking promises to meaningfully involve the two major local governments that are the most affected by their plans.
If today’s announcement by MDOT is a sincere effort to take that criticism seriously and begin a new dialogue with local governments, we are happy to work in partnership with them to address the congestion in our region.
If this is merely window dressing to create the appearance of partnership with local officials without an appreciation for their legal obligations to protect their constituents or their expertise in local traffic and land use decisions, this will be a waste of time.
The proof is in the pudding.
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