Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich may be trying to sabotage a controversial proposed transit line in suburban Maryland to hide the fact there may not be any money left for it, according to the former chair of the Metro Advisory Board.
Recently fired Metro Advisory Board Chairman Robert J. Smith alleges that Governor Robert Ehrlich is "leading a prolonged attempt to obfuscate, alter, study and delay" the approval process for the Bi-County Transitway, a proposed 14-mile transit line connecting the inner Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. According to Smith, "Maryland's transportation needs are overwhelming and grossly underfunded," causing the controversial transitway to lose priority to the InterCounty Connector, a three-billion-dollar toll road that was recently approved by Ehrlich after an expedited review process.
Maryland's Secretary of Transportation, Robert L. Flanagan asserts that "...the facts demonstrate Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s strong commitment not only to building this project but also to solving many associated community impact issues...Two key projects -- transit centers at Silver Spring and Takoma/Langley Park -- are fully funded and scheduled to start construction within months, representing an initial investment of $87 million."
Thanks to Dan Reed
FULL STORY: Will the Purple Line Be Built?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
Amazon-Owned Robotaxis to Begin Testing in LA
Los Angeles will become the sixth city where Zoox is testing its autonomous vehicle technology.
New York MTA Says No More Borrowing, Will Cut Costs Instead
The agency says it won’t take out any new loans to finance its planned improvements and is finding other ways to cut costs.
Research: More Complex Streets Are Safer
Streets that offer more perceived obstacles and distractions can force drivers to slow down and drive more carefully.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions