Citizens gathered Saturday with a simple message for General Assembly members across the state: There are cheaper, more effective alternatives to building the $3 billion proposed Intercounty Connector. Hundreds showed up at the final public hearing with renewed optimism that Maryland Legislators will reject Gov. Ehrlich’s plan to spend all of Maryland’s federal transportation funding increases for the foreseeable future on the ICC.
“I am speaking as a child, who does not want to grow up and pay for the ICC. People like me, the next generation, will be the ones stuck with the 3 billion dollar price tag,” said 13-year-old Justin Metcalf, who spoke out against the connector at the rally.
Audubon Naturalist Society Campaign Director Brian Henry cited a recent report published by a coalition of environmental and smart growth organizations showing there are a range of realistic, more effective alternatives to building an ICC, which cost less.
“It’s incredible that the state has failed to study these clearly viable alternatives, which reduce driving and shorten the time we spend stuck in our cars, create less air pollution, and improve our communities access to jobs, parks and other amenities,” said Henry.
Michael Replogle, Transportation Director at Environmental Defense, said, "There are much more effective ways to address suburban traffic problems than the ICC. Toll managed lanes, smart growth and better transit can bring expanded travel choices and congestion relief to the area while preserving budget money for schools and other public needs."
Brian McLaren, senior pastor at Cedar Ridge Community Church, also spoke in favor of alternatives that are more sensitive to our environment and communities.
"People from the faith community have an important stewardship: to always keep in mind values that can't be measured in dollars or in the short run. So we have to value the environment as God's creation, a sacred trust for future generations, not just a potential location for a profitable business or a convenient road. What would happen if the huge investment we're about to make in cement were to be made instead in a public transportation system that could be improved and developed for decades, centuries?” said Pastor McLaren.
Roger Plaut, a board member from the Longmead community which the ICC would pass through, was upset about the state’s findings about traffic on local roads. “I drive these roads. I know what traffic is like, and I’m as desperate for a solution as anyone, but the state’s claims and their figures in the study just don’t add up. Too many of these local roads would see even more traffic, probably from increased development nearby,” said Plaut.
“I can’t understand why we’re even discussing mortgaging our transportation future for the ICC, when the state’s own study shows an ICC fails to address regional traffic congestion, adding traffic to the Capital Beltway, and increasing traffic or creating no change on more than half the local roads studied,” said Delegate Karen Montgomery who represents district 14.
Diana Conway, a PTA member from Potomac, has other concerns. She came to the rally worried about new school construction, and why such vast resources are proposed for the Intercounty Connector. “Why is the ICC our priority when we don’t even have enough funding for our schools?” said Conway.
Montgomery County Council Member Phil Andrews rounded out the speakers, holding the state accountable for its failure to properly administer the ICC study. “This study is an abdication of responsibility by the State Highway Administration. They’ve failed to properly consider any alternatives other than a highway and the legally required “No Build” option. There are viable alternatives that will better serve Montgomery County residents and cost less than the ICC,” said Council Member Andrews.
The rally closed with a call to action for citizens across Maryland to contact their representatives in the General Assembly and urge them to embrace fiscal responsibility and reject the Ehrlich Administration’s efforts to borrow $1 billion to fund the ICC—instead pushing for a wider range of transportation solutions across the state, including transit investment, improving existing roads, and making sure we plan development better to shorten commutes, and reduce time stuck in traffic.
