June 7, 2021
Hon. Peter Franchot
Comptroller of Maryland
301 West Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Dear Comptroller Franchot:
We are reaching out as District 17’s representatives (Rockville & Gaithersburg) to express our frustration regarding the I-495/I-270 P3 project. The State should take a step back, review, and recalibrate its previous ill-conceived strategies to alleviate regional congestion. In this way, Maryland can move forward with an economically and environmentally reasonable approach.
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed how we commute to work. The data used to justify this project is now outdated. We expect that telework options are not going anywhere. Just as large employers have previously adopted staggered work hours to ease traffic volume, a hybrid telework system that avoids peak hour commuting will become common. We need time to understand the effects of this shift before embarking on a major transportation project.
MDOT’s own Travel Time Matrix tables revealed virtually identical travel time in 2040 between the non-toll lanes over the “No Build” option. Even the toll lane travel times northbound from the I-270/Beltway split to I-370 is virtually the same as the travel time as not expanding at all.
Finally, tolling by the private management consortium, as announced, is so complex with almost infinite variables as to be incomprehensible, not to mention prohibitively expensive. Toll rates for six vehicle categories can vary by payment system (EZ-Pass, Pay-by-Plate, and video tolling) and can fluctuate as often as every 15 minutes, depending on demand. Additionally, incremental increases in fees will be made annually based on a formula incorporating jobs, income, and inflation in the region.
We urge you to reconsider this expensive and irresponsible project and look forward to your response prior to the vote by the Board of Public Works.
Sincerely,
Cheryl
Sen. Cheryl C. Kagan
Kumar
Del. Kumar P. Barve
Jim
Del. Jim W. Gilchrist
Julie
Del. Julie Palakovich Carr
