We have a job to do. Governor-elect Moore’s latest comments on the toll-lane scheme are encouraging. But he hasn’t yet said he’ll actually stop the project and pivot to smarter, better options (see “Good Alternatives to a Really Bad Idea” below).
He may have only a short window to make that announcement. If his administration lets Transurban keep working toward a construction contract, he risks getting mired in the private-profit scheme. The risk is similar if his administration tries to modify, rather than stop, the project (see “There’s No Fixing This” below).
If -- on the other hand -- he announces the end of the scheme ASAP, he shows he means to keep his transportation promises from the start of his first 100 days. Our job is to strongly encourage him to take that step (see Action Item below).
The Governor-elect’s promises are undermined by the toll-lane project
See what his policies will be up against if the toll-lane plan is allowed to continue.
Equity vs. tolls that go up by 2.1% “PLUS the annual consumer price index inflation" each year (p. 356).
Environmental protection vs. the devastation documented here.
Partnering with local jurisdictions vs. MDOT shrugging off the City of Rockville’s intense opposition.
Fiscal stewardship vs. a $9B project lacking independent legal/financial analysis.
Safe roads vs. an estimated accident increase of 42% at MD’s I-495 ramp terminals if toll lanes are built (per MDOT, p. 323). The greatest increases would be at River Road and Old Georgetown Road.
There’s no fixing the toll lane scheme
All the bad parts are built in. The project’s for-profit component requires ongoing congestion in the free lanes to “force” enough people onto the toll lanes. It requires sky-high tolls to maximize revenue. It requires new bottlenecks to promote future toll-lane expansion. It requires taxpayer compensation to cover revenue shortfalls. And it requires opacity because no logical case can be made that the project benefits the public.
Action Item
Urge Governor-elect Moore to announce the end of the toll lane project now. His transition website is inviting the public to send him ideas. It’s a welcome chance to write him about the toll lanes. Click on the “Share Your Ideas” form here (use your Google account or create one), select “transportation” as your policy area, and let him know what you think.
You can explain how the plan will affect you and your community, or why you don't want for-profit toll lanes that serve the wealthiest few. Write about the processes’ many flaws or the enormous harms the project will bring. You’ll find more ideas and links in DontWiden270.org's past newsletters.
We want our new governor to know that the determined, grassroots opposition to the toll lanes is on his side. We’re ready to support him as he calls for the toll-lane scheme to end.
Gov.-elect Wes Moore addresses Dec. 16 MoCo legislative breakfast via Zoom. Photo by Bruce DePuyt, Maryland Matters
Good alternatives to a really bad idea
According to a recent interview, Governor Hogan said he is “unhappy that he’ll leave office with his plan to increase capacity on the Beltway and I-270 still up in the air. He’s urging Governor-elect Wes Moore to get it done. ‘It absolutely has to happen or it will be catastrophic for the Washington area.’”
No. Alternatives to Hogan’s plan are numerous and promising, and in the public interest. Here are some:
Expansion of MDOT’s own Innovative Congestion Management System, which has virtually eliminated congestion on lower I-270 below I-370
More MARC train service on the Brunswick Line
An extensive bus-rapid transit network
Reversible lanes, particularly on upper I-270
Policies that encourage telework and transit-oriented communities