Maryland’s full Congressional delegation recently sent a letter to Gregory Slater, head of the Maryland Highway Administration, urging the state to provide the public with more information on three transportation projects.
The public deserves more information and greater transparency on the replacement of the American Legion Bridge, the widening of the Beltway, and the widening of I-270, the letter said. Specifically, the public needs to know how and when properties will be affected, the details of environmental impact assessments, where tolling may impact on-ramps and exit ramps, and how parkland may be impacted.
The Congress members met earlier this month with Slater and Pete K. Rahn, Maryland Secretary of Transportation, to discuss their concerns.
“While Secretary Rahn noted the idea that managed toll lanes make new bus service a long-term possibility, such service will not become a success or a reality without an active approach to prioritizing it and planning for it,” the letter said. “We are eager to hear in greater detail how multi-modal plans will be integrated in these projects, including the guidelines you would establish for incorporating transit into any public-private partnership to construct and manage new toll lanes.”
The letter also urged the state to integrate public transit improvements with the three projects.