For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 5, 2019
ROCKVILLE, Md., June 5, 2019—“We thank the Maryland Board of Public Works for voting today, 2-1, to amend the governor’s $11 billion plan,” said Council President Nancy Navarro.
“The board — comprising Gov. Larry Hogan, Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp — listened to our County Council, County Executive, elected leaders from Prince George’s and Frederick counties, dedicated citizens groups and the 4,000-plus petitioners who opposed the original proposal.
“By delaying the most potentially destructive phase of the proposal — to add four managed toll lanes in each direction of the Capital Beltway in Montgomery County — the board responded to our pleas.
“While not everything we hoped for, the compromise plan approved by the board today will put traffic relief on I-270 in the first phase of the project, just as we proposed.
“We have more votes ahead. The Council remains committed to working with the board and state transportation officials to incorporate solutions that focus on moving people rather than cars, that include expanded transit options now that actually reduce traffic and our carbon footprint, that don’t destroy homes and parkland, and that have the widespread local support that any project of this historic magnitude should have.”
Councilmember Tom Hucker, who chairs the Transportation and Environment Committee said, “The amended phasing of this plan is an important development, that will give us more time to work with MDOT on important details. I also support amendments offered by Comptroller Franchot that show the first real inclusion of transit for this project; to not take any homes until final procurement contracts are voted on; and to study a monorail proposal from Frederick to Shady Grove.
“Despite these compromises and amendments, we can do better. I look forward to working with the administration on the written details of what was agreed to today, and to continue to advocate through this process for common-sense, environmentally friendly, 21st-century traffic solutions that actually work.”
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Release ID: 19-200