A coalition of citizens’ groups has joined forces to oppose plans to widen the Beltway and I-270 in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Fifty local and regional groups say they oppose the project that would add two lanes on either side of I-495 and I-270, which would be HOV or pay to drive.
The groups that came out against the plan, like the Sierra Club and Breathe Free Montgomery, saying the expansion will harm the environment, destroy parkland and lower property values.
Local business groups and AAA Mid-Atlantic have announced that they like the plan, saying it will reduce congestion by 34% over 20 years, saving motorists 72 hours a year behind the wheel.
However, a says expanding I-495 and I-270 will shift traffic into the peak hours and actually create or exacerbate bottlenecks at the ends of the toll lanes and on connecting roads.
The cost of the project 鈥� estimated to be between $9 and $11 billion 鈥� would be paid for with toll revenue.
The Montgomery County Council is asking Maryland to go back to the drawing board and come up with a way to avoid widening I-495 through Silver Spring and Bethesda.
The state has ended the public input period on the project and will evaluate all the feedback before making a decision on how to move ahead.
