Let s go!
The original plan, pushed by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan since 2017, had the backing of the region s business leaders. Transportation officials said it would reduce annual drive time for the typical highway commuter by 73 hours, and it wouldn t cost taxpayers because toll revenues would finance the project.
But many local officials, community leaders and environmentalists came out strongly against widening the highways, especially with toll lanes. They cited a litany of harmful impacts on local waterways, environmental justice concerns, displacement of homes, loss of parkland, and encroachment on cultural and historic sites. And, they argued that the project would increase emissions of climate-altering greenhouse gases without easing the traffic congestion it was proposed to relieve.
Montgomery County Council President Tom Hucker (D) railed, at a rally Tuesday, against Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr.’s plan to partner with private companies to widen part of the Capital Beltway and I-270 and replace the American Legion Bridge. (Maryland Matters/Bruce DePuyt)
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The Maryland Transportation Authority voted on Tuesday to advance Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr.’s plan to widen portions of two Montgomery County highways and rebuild the American Legion Bridge.
Shortly after the vote, a leading foe of the controversial project told a rally in Rockville that he and Rep. Anthony G. Brown (D-Md.) recently lobbied U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to reject the governor’s plan, claiming it fails key equity and climate tests.
Opinion | A better American Legion Bridge would include rail options washingtonpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from washingtonpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.