Rally to Stop Luxury Lanes on I-495/I-270!
MONDAY -- DECEMBER 16, 7:00 PM
Silver Spring Civic Center
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Join Councilmember Tom Hucker, Dontwiden270.org, Citizens Against Beltway Expansion, Maryland Sierra Club, and many other officials and organizations.
Say NO to $30-40 rush hour tolls (like in Northern Virginia).
Demand a better deal for commuter relief with transit, transparency, and taxpayer protection.
Tell the Board of Public Works to reject Maryland Dept. of Transportation's deal-breaking amendments to the $11 billion Luxury Lane boondoggle.
Bring a friend! Spread the word!
New Secretary of Transportation
On December 9, the Governor unexpectedly announced that MDOT Secretary, Pete Rahn, had resigned and that Greg Slater, the current State Highway Administrator would become the new MDOT Secretary. His appointment will become effective on January 10. Mr. Slater has a long and respected record of public service. However, Governor Hogan can be expected to push Slater to continue to push forward his plan to privatize and widen Maryland’s interstate highways with expensive toll lanes.
Keep writing Comptroller Franchot
The steady drumbeat of unanswered questions and concerns about Governor Hogan’s managed toll lane project continues. And while Dontwiden270.org members and others have dealt a setback to the Administration’s plans, the fight for a true multimodal traffic congestion relief plan remains elusive.
The Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) was to meet December 4 to vote on substantial changes to their June 5th plan for the toll lane project. These changes must be approved by the state Board of Public Works (BPW), consisting of the Governor, Comptroller Franchot, and Treasurer Nancy Kopp. Treasurer Kopp is already skeptical of the toll lane plan. So once again, Comptroller Franchot’s vote will be decisive.
A new date for the vote hasn’t been determined. Therefore, keep sending your e-mails now.
Write the Comptroller
Write to Comptroller Franchot now:
Tell him that further consideration of the toll lane plan should be delayed until there is full disclosure of essential information by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Remind him that as the State’s Chief Financial Officer, he has a duty to protect Maryland taxpayers and promote fiscal accountability. MDOT must release its financial analyses to the BPW, the affected local governments, and the public before a vote takes place.
Some additional points you can make in e-mails to Comptroller Franchot:
This plan will not relieve traffic congestion. It requires congestion in free lanes to make people pay to use the toll lanes. It creates additional congestion at termini and exits. Traffic jams will worsen as the proposed 8 lanes (6-current plus 2-toll) merge to 2 on northbound I-270 and where I-270 joins the Beltway east of Wisconsin Avenue.
There are financial risks, including the need for the State to repay contractor loans if the contractor defaults. As recently described, ambiguous contract terms can lead to legal claims against the State for financial compensation.
The proposal prioritizes the rich over the poor and middle-class. Rush hour tolls need to be $30-$40 for the plan to be financially viable. MDOT must release their analysis of realistic toll rates so the public can be informed.
There are no transit options being considered. In the case of I-270, there are a number of rapid transit options now available that could easily be expanded, including more MARC commuter rail service. Transit-oriented development is where economic growth occurs.
The project is bad for the environment. It promotes sprawl, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise and air pollution. Fast, safe, and accessible transit will give people a better alternative to driving, reduce traffic congestion, and reduce automobile emissions.
There has been a total lack of transparency from MDOT. Our elected County officials and State legislators have been kept in the dark. The State has ignored Maryland’s tradition of collaboration with the affected local governments. Citizens whose lives will directly be impacted by this project are not being kept informed by the State.
The bidding process is flawed because the financial companies that submit the bids won’t be required to name their subcontractors who will actually do the design and construction work. So the State won’t be able to judge the competence of these firms.
Use these points, or add more to share your thoughts in your own words. Be sure to include your home address in the email.
Media archives
Learn more about local coverage of the highway issue on our website at: https://dontwiden270.org/archives.
Have a question or comment? Want a speaker for your community?
E-mail us at contactdontwiden270@gmail.com .
Want a yard sign?
Raise your voice and draw attention to Dontwiden270 with these colorful, two-sided yard signs! Order here.
Dontwiden270.org will continue to keep you informed of what is happening and how you can help.