For Immediate Release, July 21, 2021
For more Information: Josh Tulkin, Director, Maryland Sierra Club, josh.tulkin@mdsierra.org, 650-722-3171
Riverdale, MD - Today the National Capital region’s Transportation Planning Board (TPB) voted to reinstate Gov. Hogan’s private I-495 and I-270 toll lane expansion proposal in a federal environmental study of the region's transportation projects. This decision marks a reversal of the Board’s earlier vote on June 16th to remove the proposal from the region’s long-range transportation plan.
In response, Josh Tulkin, Maryland Sierra Club Director issued the following statement:
“Last month, the TPB voted on principle when it removed Hogan’s highway boondoggle from its long range plan. Today, the project was reinstated, not because of its merit, but through coercion. MDOT and Hogan utilized a Trump-esque playbook, including aggressive governor PAC attack ads, threats, and coercion, including bribes from MDOT and removal of TPB members. Today’s vote represents a minor victory for the Hogan administration and MDOT.
This project has many hurdles ahead - including decisions by the Board of Public Works, two NEPA reviews, MDTA toll setting, and more. The unprecedented level of pushback on this project shows that MDOT will have a fight on their hands for every step on the long road in front of them.
Background:
The TPB vote is one of many reviews and processes that still need to be completed for this project to move forward. And the next steps are less vulnerable to threats and political interference. Some of the remaining critical steps ahead are: the incomplete financial review, the Board of Public Works vote, the SDEIS, agency permissions, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process in general. More broadly, the project has to contend with the air quality conformity review, federal priorities, and its inconsistency with local and regional equity and climate goals.