We’ve talked a lot on this blog about the Rapid Transit system coming to Montgomery County. A recent development in the planning of the Georgia Avenue route highlights why community involvement, attention and advocacy is crucial in plans like these.

As David Hauck from Communities for Transit writes on the Greater Greater Washington blog,  the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has released an outlandish proposal for how the route will travel down Georgia Avenue.  In it, the SHA says that proper implementation of rapid transit would require widening Georgia, to the tune of destroying 34 residences, a business and a church on one stretch alone.  This revelation, understandably, has caused widespread community pushback.  But, as Hauck neatly lays out, the plan is flawed with bad measurements and missing explanations.  As he explains, SHA has greatly overstated the impact of the route – but, why would they do that?  Read the full piece by clicking here then send SHA your own comments by clicking here.

Without an advocate like David Hauck paying attention and crying foul, this type of misinformation might have panicked the community into fighting this game-changing transit opportunity.  This work is also at the heart of what we do here at Friends of White Flint — we keep our eyes open and we keep ourselves engaged so that White Flint’s redevelopment marches forward to reach its full potential.

Don’t take our word on this!  Come to our Transit Happy Hour on Wednesday evening and learn more for yourself.  Communities for Transit, Coalition for Smarter Growth and Friends of White Flint are hosting a casual get-together to chat about rapid transit and anything else that comes up!  We’ll be in the bar area at Paladar Latin Kitchen, 11333 Woodglen Drive, from 5:30-7:30pm.  Learn more and RSVP by clicking here!  Looking forward to seeing you Wednesday!

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