Last month, the Montgomery County
Council T&E (Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment)
Committee directed the Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to forward its
report recommending a preferred alignment for M-83 to the Army Corps of
Engineers and the Maryland Department of the Environment for review. The
report, which was completed last year, assesses nine alternative alignments for
north/south travel in the Clarksburg area, including the preferred option
currently in the transportation master plan. Because the permitting agencies
are reviewing the report’s recommendations, questions have arisen about MCDOT’s
position on this road, so I would like clarify the position of the County Executive
and my own position.
The County Executive does not
support building this road, he did not recommend the preferred alternative, nor
was it an option that I as MCDOT acting director recommended. Further, there is
no funding proposed for the project in the County’s capital budget.
The study, “Draft Preferred
Alternative/Conceptual Mitigation Report” (PA/CM) was conducted before the
Route 355 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system was in the master plan, and therefore
it was not considered as one of the alternatives. If BRT is considered, I
believe the results of the PA/CM study and its recommended alternative could be
significantly different. I strongly endorse this reassessment.
During my three months as MCDOT
Acting Director, I continue to look for ways to promote a broader view of
mobility in Montgomery County that is not necessarily wedded to building more
roads. Taking a fresh look at various options to M-83, including the Route 355
BRT, is an important step in my vision for this department. Read More.
