Quick Action Alert: Stop Toll Lanes on the MD Beltway

Virginia wants to extend its private toll lanes onto I-495 in Maryland. Tell them ‘NO.’

The VA Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking regional and federal approval to extend its Southside toll lanes across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and onto I-495 in Prince George’s County, MD.

Our broad coalition of activists, advocacy organizations, and elected allies is strongly opposed to VDOT’s plan (see “Pushback,” below). We know that private toll lanes at either end of the Maryland Beltway will lead to private toll lanes everywhere on the Maryland Beltway and lower I-270 (see Item 1, below).

We need your help. By 6/26, tell VDOT you oppose Southside toll lanes

Email VDOT at 495southsideexpresslanes@VDOT.Virginia.gov by the comment deadline, Thursday, 6/26. Start your message with a clear statement of opposition. Then use your own words to tell why you don’t want VDOT’s private toll lanes in Maryland. Here are some key points:

1. Where toll lanes end, new bottlenecks are created, and the only “fix” is to build more toll lanes. The Southside project will create a major new bottleneck in Oxon Hill, MD.

2. If for-profit toll lane concessionaires get a toe-hold in Maryland, they will consume public funds and constrain public transportation policy for decades.

3. Private toll lanes on the Beltway will bring unaffordable tolls and will worsen congestion in the free lanes and on adjacent roads.

4. Private toll lanes will cause environmental damage and degradation of highway safety and public health.

5. The Southside project could effectively end the chance of extending the Metro Blue Line across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and preclude other, better transportation options.

Pushback

These articles -- all published in the last few months – show that opposition to the Southside project is building. Your comments to VDOT advance the message!

• Concerns rise over proposed 495 South express lanes in Prince George's County

• D.C. region leaders still not sold on I-495 Southside Express Lanes proposal | FFXnow

• Toll lane plan sparks backlash in Prince George’s County | wusa9.com

• Alexandria asks VDOT to delay adding express lanes to Woodrow Wilson Bridge | ALXnow,

• Public Divided Over I-495 Southside Express Lanes hosted by the Tri-County Council

Thank you!

Watch for more action alerts and updates as the Southside project nears an up-or-down regional vote this September.