Arlington County's litigation of construction of three High Occupancy Toll lanes based on civil rights violation (because of exposure to air pollution of those living near I-95/395) has prompted the bi-partisan wrath of 2 of VA's top state senators.
Two top Republican and Democrat VA state senators wrote "a letter begging Arlington County to drop a lawsuit claiming that construction of high-occupancy lanes on Interstate 95/395 in the county would violate the civil rights of county residents."
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages from U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez.
From WP: Arlington goes its own way in lawsuit over HOV lanes:
A "chief concern (the lawsuit) cites is the potential effect of air pollution on the health of low-income and minority residents clustered near the highways in areas such as Shirlington. More vehicles on offramps would mean more vehicles in residential neighborhoods, officials argue."
"Arlington County Attorney Stephen MacIsaac said the suit was not intended to "create some kind of wedge issue on race or income," but rather to force state officials to reevaluate the effect of air pollution on nearby schools, day-care centers and low-income housing."
Thanks to Streetsblog
FULL STORY: Democrat, Republican jointly urge Arlington to drop HOT lane suit
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