Gov. Hogan’s proposal to add 4 toll lanes to Capital Beltway and I-270
While you're here: Send a message to your legislators to protect our air and climate from big highway pollution.
Last fall, the Governor announced a $9.1 billion plan to add 4 express toll lanes to the Capital Beltway (I-495) in Maryland, I-270 between Frederick and I-495, and to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. The I-495 and I-270 widening part of the proposal (which would comprise $7.6 billion of the $9.1 billion total) calls for a public-private partnership (P3) to design, build and operate the express toll lanes, and to recoup its investment via tolls that would be charged. Toll amounts would fluctuate based on congestion levels to keep traffic moving.
Sierra Club Maryland has a number of concerns with the highway expansion proposal.
It would increase air pollution significantly
The Capitol Beltway in Maryland is 42 miles long and I-270 is 35 miles long. The addition of 4 toll lanes to those 77 miles of highway would mean more than 300 miles of new lanes would be created if the proposal is carried out. Creating the perception of eased traffic volume would inevitably encourage more people to drive (most often in single occupancy vehicles) who envision far less congestion, which would generate an enormous increase in air pollution. Areas served by those 2 highways are already in nonattainment of Clean Air Act 2008 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone.
Transportation is now the largest source of climate-disrupting greenhouse gases (GHG) in the U.S. today. Gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles are also a major source of toxic emissions that are linked to cancers, heart disease, asthma, emphysema and other respiratory diseases. Why would we implement a program that would encourage more people to drive when we know that it would be terrible for the environment?
It would increase water pollution significantly
Inevitable oil, gas and diesel drips and spills on the 300 miles of new lanes, together with additional storm water runoff from the impermeable roadway surfaces, would be a disaster for local streams and waterways. Multiple new lanes would have a profound impact on Rock Creek and its tributaries. Also, studies show that air pollution is a major contributor to water pollution, and as the previous paragraphs describes, there would be a major increase in air pollution.
It would have a significant impact on neighboring communities
There are serious space constraints on portions of both I-495 and I-270 with many hundreds of homes, numerous businesses and a major hospital directly adjacent to the existing highway. That means those homes and other buildings would either have to be taken or the additional toll lanes would need to be double decked, with ramps soaring 80 feet into the air, according to a State Highway Administration study in 2004. Either approach would be a terribly disruptive and expensive proposition. The increase in noise pollution during and after construction would be considerable. There also are legal constraints regarding encroachments on Rock Creek.
In addition, it needs to be recognized that the local road network in many areas already is quite congested. Even if cars were to spend less time on I-495 or I-270, they would get backed up attempting to exit onto local roads that already are overwhelmed by traffic, with buildings on either side making it so the roads cannot be easily widened. Existing overpass bridges on I-495 and I-270 don’t have room to add 4 lanes, which also would make highway construction exceedingly expensive.
There are better alternatives
Express buses or bus rapid transit on one or possibly two dedicated lanes whose direction can be reversed to handle increased traffic during rush hour are viable, far less expensive alternatives but are not being considered. Adding more high occupancy lanes on existing highways also can help speed traffic. In the case of I-270, there are a number of transit options now available that could easily be expanded including adding more MARC commuter rail service on the Brunswick Line, and completing the Corridor Cities Transitway. It should be recognized also that the number of cars on the Capital Beltway will lessen considerably when the Purple Line (now under construction) is completed.
Getting people out of their cars and riding transit lessens traffic congestion, lessens the need for buildings and land devoted to parking, saves untold amounts of gasoline and diesel, and avoids the air pollution all those private vehicles generate. Transit also better serves low income families who have either no access to a car or only one vehicle. Research has shown that access to transportation is the single strongest factor in a person’s ability to escape poverty.
Polls show that millenials believe access to transit is very important, and it’s clear that major corporations including Marriott and Amazon view good access to transit as a major determining factor in deciding where they will locate.
Widening roads to relieve congestion is a waste of money
Study after study has shown that widening roads to solve congestion encourages more people to drive (induced demand) so that in a few years, the widened roads are badly congested again. And even worse than that, the additional vehicles on the expanded roads will have greatly increased the volume of GHG and toxic emissions released. Also, people who think they can get to work faster on expanded highways often buy homes further and further away from their workplace, lessening open space and contributing to sprawl.
We need a regional, clean transportation policy
We need a multi-state clean and equitable transportation policy that is focused on moving people not vehicles, emphasizes reliable, fast transit and use of electric vehicles, reduces pollution, positively impacts the health of all residents, allows people to live and work in pedestrian and bicycle-friendly communities, and provides everyone with a range of transportation options to meet their transportation needs.
The Governor’s highway expansion proposal is a 1950’s, car-centric, environmentally unfriendly approach to traffic congestion. It would greatly increase air and water pollution by encouraging more people to drive, primarily would serve the needs of high-income people who could afford to use the toll lanes, and ignores the vital role of transit and other clean transportation options in serving the needs of all income levels.
Send a message to your legislators to protect our air and climate from big highway pollution.