Today, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Rahn announced that he will be convening a workgroup to explore how managed lanes on I-495 and I-270 will "complement" and "benefit" transit in Montgomery, Prince George's, and Fredrick Counties.
In response, Josh Tulkin, Maryland Sierra Club Director stated:
"While we are pleased to see Secretary Rahn begin to listen and respond to the concerns of local government and Maryland residents, MDOT’s announcement falls far short of what is needed to correct the course of the flawed process that they’ve initiated.
The creation of a transit working group is certainly welcome. But MDOT has not indicated that they will make any adjustment in their sprint towards highway expansion. This entire process needs a do-over, beginning with a full review of transit alongside highway expansion, not as an afterthought. We need a environmental review and climate study of all options without a pre-selected winner.
By itself, creating a transit "working group" while plowing forward on their existing plans is not an improvement, it's an attempt at distraction."