Steve Burns
WMAL.com
GERMANTOWN, Md. – (WMAL) A group of local, state, and federal politicians are gathering Monday to demand action on unclogging Interstate 270. The oft-congested highway runs from Frederick through the heart of Montgomery County to the Beltway, and is frequently named as one of the busiest highways in the region and country.
“It’s time for a serious solution,” Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner told WMAL. “People shouldn’t have to live this way.”
In addition to Berliner, Congressmen Chris Van Hollen and John Delaney will be lending their support to the cause along with Frederick and Montgomery County councilmembers, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner, state delegates and senators, and higher-ups at Marriott International, which is headquartered along the highway in Bethesda.
Berliner calls it the “beginning of a campaign,” as ultimately Congress and the two counties have little say in the matter. Interstate highways fall under state control.
In July, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced an effort to attract the best ideas to reduce congestion on the highway, and offered $100 million for implementation, an amount Berliner at the time called “a good start.” He has since strengthened his language.
“Most of us sort of shake our head and say, ‘Really? You think you’re going to be able to address what has to happen here for $100 million?'” Berliner asked. He said the Governor’s initiative may do more harm than good in giving false hope that something meaningful can actually get done with that amount of money.
“We don’t know why this is such a heavy lift for the Governor,” he said.
The Montgomery County Council, Berliner said, has long advocated for an approach that would add two reversible lanes to the highway – one for high-occupancy vehicles, and one for buses. He also said the Council does not have an objection to tolling as Hogan does.
“It’s time to get serious. That’s what people are asking.”
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