Political Squabbling Over Suburban Beltway Transit Line In D.C.

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.

1 minute read

July 17, 2006, 8:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


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

Sunday, July 16, 2006 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight