Planning Commission Sends Its Concerns on I-270, 495 Road Widening to State

During the Oct. 21 Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission meeting, board members reiterated their “major concerns” with the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration’s Managed Lanes Study for I-495 and I-270.

Its final comments, including a long list of what M-NCPPC considers “serious deficiencies,” will be sent to the SHA by Nov. 6, the final day for public comment, to become part of the Final Environmental Impact Statement.

The deficiencies cited involve many areas of the road widening project study, including permitting, potential effects on parkland, the environment and transportation.

“The state’s project team is still not delivering on what it promised with the assessment and analysis phase of this project. We cannot agree with the direction of the Managed Lanes Study until our land use, transportation, and environmental concerns are addressed, and that just hasn’t happened despite months of trying to get answers,” said M-NCPPC Chair and Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson in a news release.

“As the regional planning agency and the steward of the natural and built environments in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, M-NCPPC is responsible for making well-reasoned and informed decisions with regard to any impacted parkland, including the cultural and historic resources held in trust for the residents of both Counties,” said M-NCPPC Vice-Chair and Prince George’s County Planning Board Chair Elizabeth Hewlett in the news release.

M-NCPPC members are unhappy that the plan does not include a Maryland Intercounty Connector diversion, transit alternatives or good alternatives to alleviate water and parkland disturbances, according to an Oct. 21 staff memo.

Here is a link to the board virtual meeting.

About Suzanne Pollak

Suzanne is a freelance reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She has over 35 years professional experience writing for newspapers, magazines, non-profit newsletters and the web.

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