In response to an announcement by the Hogan Administration that calls for the expansion Maryland highways, over 20 non-profit and community advocacy organizations, including Smart Growth Maryland, launched a new coalition, Maryland Advocates for Sustainable Transportation, to steer the conversation to more sustainable transportation solutions.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2020, the Maryland Board of Public Works voted to advance a transportation plan crafted by Governor Larry Hogan and Comptroller Peter Franchot that calls for adding toll lanes to the Capital Beltway and Interstate 270.
The MAST coalition has identified major flaws in the plan, debunking the adage that “one more lane will fix congestion” and pointing to the inevitability that more lanes lead to more driving and traffic, increased pollution, and sprawl development. More specific issues with the plan include:
- a faulty planning process and lack of transparency as the plan is being rushed ahead of an environmental review process,
- a potential financial risk to Maryland taxpayers if the anticipated toll revenue cannot cover the costs of the project, and
- environmental harm to valued parkland, streams, and rivers.
The MAST website identifies alternative principles for sustainable transportation that focus on transit projects, demand management, balanced land-use, and transit-oriented affordable housing.
Director of Smart Growth Maryland, Kimberly Golden Brandt, was quoted in a MAST press release, “Sustainable transportation solutions spur more economic development and increase opportunities for socio-economic mobility.” Economic and environmental sustainability are major goals of smart growth.
As a member of MAST, Smart Growth Maryland is partnering with the following organizations:
- 350 Montgomery County
- Audubon Naturalist Society
- Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition
- Bike Maryland
- Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church Environmental Justice Ministry
- Central Maryland Transportation Alliance
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility
- Coalition for Smarter Growth
- Corazón Latino
- Friends of Sligo Creek
- Greater Farmland Civic Association
- Greater Greater Washington
- Howard County Climate Action
- Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA)
- League of Women Voters of Maryland
- Maryland Legislative Coalition
- Maryland Sierra Club
- National Parks Conservation Association
- Neighbors of the Northwest Branch
- Rails to Trails Conservancy
- Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA)