Montgomery County Executive Ike
Leggett released his list of County priorities for the 2016 legislative session
that begins in January. He identified transportation as one of the County’s critical
needs.
Leggett said, "Being a part
of a region that has long been identified with the worst traffic congestion in
the country, it is essential to protect the integrity of the State’s
Transportation Trust Fund and, therefore, the ability for the County’s priority
projects to move forward. Greater investment in the transportation
infrastructure of the most economically viable County in the State is the
necessary precursor for job creation, which is being held back by insufficient
mobility in the region -- especially on State highways and transit, which are
State responsibilities. Specifically, both Montgomery and Fairfax Counties need
their states to pursue improvements to the American Legion Bridge and the
Beltway from the I-270 West Spur into Virginia.
"Expanded transit options
and renewed effort to improve the safety of the WMATA system are also priorities.
Replacing the existing Tri-State Oversight Committee with an empowered new
State Safety Oversight Agency should be made a pressing issue this year by
Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. Given the disproportionate
need, any opening to negotiate to advance transportation projects and studies,
improve the safety of the region’s Metrorail operations, or increase State
funding for the County’s Ride On Bus system, should be aggressively
pursued."
See the full list of priorities online.
