Environmental and Economic Concerns Remain
The Transportation Planning Board (TPB), during its meeting on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, approved by resolution, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration’s I-495 and I-270 Managed Lanes Project, a large-scale endeavor with a potential substantial impact on the lives of people and motorists throughout our County and the region.
Council Vice Chair Deni Taveras, serving as TPB representative, today expressed that while a consensus of the Council supports the overall project, there are still issues to be addressed. As previously stated by this body, the Council remains very concerned about the potential adverse economic and environmental impacts on our residents and communities throughout the region, and specifically, in Prince George’s County.
Additionally, without the construction of the Purple Line and the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit project, it will be difficult to connect working families to the bus rapid transit they need to travel I-270 without incurring expected toll charges.
Understanding that these issues cannot be resolved by the Transportation Planning Board, the Council will continue its work with the Office of Governor Hogan and state transportation officials to address the important concerns that remain.
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*The previous statement, dated Wednesday, July 21, was issued in error. Please reference the revised statement issued Thursday, July 22, 2021.