“There’s a serious lack of community benefit if the proposed Intercounty Connector (ICC) is built,” said Audubon Naturalist Society’s Brian Henry. “The region’s most heavily traveled commuter routes would not see any congestion relief if an ICC is build. Right here at Randolph Rd. and Connecticut Ave. there would actually be less traffic if we didn’t build the ICC.”
Local activists have come out to the busy Connecticut Ave. and Randolph Rd. intersection to let drivers know the ICC is not going to help their commute. The information comes straight from the Maryland State Highway Administration’s ICC study in Section IV, page 329, “Environmental Consequences.”
The group carried a large banner with bold black letters stating “State Finds: ICC Brings More Traffic Here.” Other large signs added in Burma Shave style, “Traffic Bad? ICC Makes It Worse. Taking $3 Billion From Your Purse.”
“It seems unfair to me that Maryland taxpayers are being asked to shell out $3 billion for a toll-highway that most people won’t use, and that doesn’t do anything for the busiest highways in the region,” said Wheaton resident Anne Ambler. The study done by the state shows that a majority of the local roads analyzed would see no change in congested driving conditions. Most notably, congested conditions on the major freeways I-495, I-270 and I-95 would not change if an ICC was built (Section IV, page 344-346).
“ICC boosters have not been honest with the public,” said Henry. “The information in the state’s study is clear. The major commuter routes in the region see no benefit from building an ICC, and only a tiny percent of the public would travel on the toll-highway. The $3 billion cost of the ICC could be used on transportation improvements that benefit far more people.”
Organizers plan to continue the commuter education campaign throughout the summer. They are asking commuters to let county elected officials know that they are frustrated with how little the ICC helps traffic, and that $3 billion could be better spent.
Many ICC opponents support a more balanced approach to congestion relief which increases transportation options. In a report, “The Intercounty Connector: Performance and Alternatives,” a range of specific transportation policies are detailed, which provide greater community benefit, for less money than building an ICC. The report is available at www.SaveCommunities.org.
