Transportation Plan Approved for D.C. Region

Jordan Pascale reports that the D.C. region has a new 25-year transportation plan.

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) approved the plan, which includes "projects that the region’s transportation agencies expect to be able to afford between now and 2045, the plan includes aspirational projects, programs, and policies that go beyond financial constraints," according to the TPB website for the plan.

Pascale explains more about the scope of the plan:

The plan, called Visualize 2045, looks at all the ways people will get around the region in the future and plans for $291 billion worth of maintenance and new road, bike and public transportation projects.

The plan expects growth to continue to strain the region's transportation infrastructure, reports Pascale. "Even with all that investment, the plan predicts the hours of traffic delays will still increase 46 percent by 2045." The plan's prescription for those challenges tend toward more efficient land use planning, expanded transit options, and increased telecommuting.

Pascale also notes that one project included in the plan proved especially controversial as the TPB considered the plan: Maryland’s proposal to add express toll lanes to the Beltway and I-270.