Transportation plans justified with pre-coronavirus data are now obsolete, according to a line of argument recently presented to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
Bruce DePuyt reports from the April meeting of the Maryland Transportation Authority, where numerous critics showed up to urge the state to suspend a plan to widen two Washington, D.C. area highways with toll lanes.
"Many residents and activists who spoke during the public comment portion of the Maryland Transportation Authority’s April meeting opposed the plan to widen the Capital Beltway and Interstate 270 long before the COVID-19 crisis struck," according to DePuyt.
Critics are now arguing that the case for the new toll lanes has been built on data now obsolete as commuter and travel patterns could potentially shift over the long-term.
"Many companies and workers are teleworking for the first time. How many continue teleworking after the pandemic subsides is a question that transportation officials and industry consultants will study for some time," explains DePuyt.
There's little indication yet whether the Maryland Transportation Authority will act in accordance with the wishes of these critics.
FULL STORY: State Urged to Put Toll Lanes on Hold for Changes Ahead
Maryland's Controversial Highway Widening Proposal Scaled Back
Interstate 270, the Capital Beltway, will no longer by widened as part of the I-495/I-270 Managed Lanes Project.
Maryland's Highway Expansion Project Out to Bid
Vocal opposition hasn't slowed the Maryland Department of Transportation's progress of the I-495/I-270 Managed Lanes Project.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Maryland's Big Highway Widening Project Released
The state of Maryland is moving forward with a highway widening plan that would spend $11 billion in a private-partnership to add toll lanes to two Capital Beltway highways.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service