“That the additional capacity of the HOT lanes would generate more traffic trying to travel to and from the lanes via connecting roads like Route 1, Telegraph and Van Dorn wouldn’t be surprising,” Bill Pugh, a senior policy fellow at the organization, said in a statement released by CSG after the committee meeting.
Category: News
RELEASE: VDOT briefs flawed I-495 Southside Study to Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
“In addition to ignoring induced demand and relying on flawed traffic models, VDOT’s study is compromised at the outset by its ‘conclusions-first’ approach,” said Pugh. “The agency’s stated project purpose is ‘to extend and provide continuity of the Express Lanes system’ and their evaluation criteria reinforce this predetermined conclusion. They have also excluded viable alternatives from study.”
Op-ed: Adopt fix-it-first, climate-resilient, sustainable transportation priorities (Maryland Matters)
In short, sustainable land use, transit, and a fix-it-first and resilience-first approach to Maryland transportation and infrastructure spending is essential for Maryland’s future.
RELEASE: New Transit Access to Opportunity Data for the Seven Highest-Ridership Cities
“The Washington DC Metro’s strategy of increasing frequency, expanding service with 24-hour routes, and providing low-income fare passes is working,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth in Washington DC. “TransitCenter’s updated Transportation Equity Dashboard shows that the average DC area resident has much-improved access to jobs. Alexandria’s new DASH Bus network and free fares also contributed to much-improved access, with both systems showing the greatest benefits for Black and lower-income workers. This report shows the value of investing in Metro and our local bus systems, including the importance of finding 35% more bus operating funds for Metro to implement its Visionary Bus Network.”
STATEMENT: Officials express strong support for Metrorail on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and for transit-oriented development
The massive number of public comments submitted — totalling 1200 pages which ran over two to one against VDOT”s current 495 Southside Toll Lanes proposal – showed the broad public support for Metrorail and TOD and concerns about the toll lanes. However, the resolution to add the 495 Toll Lanes Southside project to the Visualize 2050 draft list of projects lacks firm commitments for VDOT to study alternatives to highway widening with HOT lanes, and leaves at risk future Metrorail on the Wilson Bridge.
Joint Statement: Chevy Chase DC rezoning proposal supports a more inclusive and vibrant community (DC)
Ward3Vision, WIN Ward 3 Congregations Affordable Housing Work Group, and Coalition for Smarter Growth urge adoption of the proposed zoning changes to Chevy Chase’s main street as the critical next step toward achieving a more inclusive and vibrant community.
PRESS STATEMENT: Restore Virginia Metro Funding!
The groups signing onto this press statement urge the General Assembly to reject Governor Youngkin’s budget amendment and restore the funding the General Assembly agreed to.
RELEASE: Maryland House passes Transportation and Climate Alignment Act
On Monday, the Maryland House of Delegates passed the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act (TCA), HB 836, introduced by Delegate Mark Edelson (46th District). This timely legislation will cut pollution from Maryland’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, the transportation sector, while helping expand transportation options for residents and workers. The House passed the TCA by an overwhelming majority, and it will now be considered by the Senate.
CSG in the News: Officials must act on promise to fix the region’s Visualize 2050 transportation plan
This plan is important because it shows how the region’s transportation investments collectively succeed or fail in addressing important issues, and, under federal law, major projects must be in the plan to get built. The plan also demonstrates where the region’s priorities are – endlessly widening roads to move vehicles, or giving people affordable and sustainable travel options and proximity to jobs and services.
RELEASE: Close the Metro Funding Gap!
Today, the WMATA Board met to review a new FY25 proposed budget. The “Fund Metro!” coalition released the following statement.