Transit-Oriented Development Central to D.C. Region's Growth Plan

Transit-oriented development will play a key role in mitigating the congestion effects of growing population in the region around the nation's capital, and regional planners say the region is already achieving its goals.

1 minute read

December 2, 2019, 8:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Car-centric Planning

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"The number of people expected to move to the D.C. area in the next 25 years is equal to the entire population of Philadelphia, and plans are in the works to prevent the anticipated addition of 1.5 million residents from worsening the region’s gridlock," reports Kristi King.

The key to the growth plan: transit-oriented development. "The concept of building housing closer to jobs is replacing the dominant philosophy of the past, to 'drive until you qualify' which had people living far out in the suburbs to be able to afford a mortgage," according to King.

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Executive Director Chuck Bean is quoted in the article touting the region's success in meeting transit-oriented development goals set earlier this decade.

King also cites a few transportation projects as key to the growth strategy, such as plans for a new American Legion Bridge and a plan to expand the rail capacity of the Long Bridge crossing across the Potomac River.

Sunday, December 1, 2019 in WTOP

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