Scaled-down plan to widen Capital Beltway gets federal OK.

Critics say project changes don’t solve environmental, climate harms.

A controversial plan for widening congested highways in the Washington, DC, area has gotten the “go” sign from the Biden administration.

The Federal Highway Administration issued a “record of decision” on Aug. 25 endorsing the Maryland Department of Transportation’s plan to add toll lanes to the western portion of the Capital Beltway as well as to a major feeder route, Interstate 270. It also involves replacing and widening the 60-year-old American Legion Bridge that carries traffic over the Potomac River.

Gov. Larry Hogan called the federal approval “a major milestone” and said the state is “ready to move forward with this transformative project.”

The $7.6 billion project has the backing of the region’s business leaders and some local officials, who say it is needed to address some of the nation’s worst traffic jams.

But other local officials, community leaders and many environmentalists oppose it. They argue that it will degrade local waterways, harm disadvantaged communities, add to climate-warming air pollution and encroach on parkland and cultural and historic sites. Critics also contend that the state’s deal with a private development group to finance and build the toll lanes would mostly benefit affluent commuters while leaving poorer ones stuck in gridlock.'>>>

https://www.bayjournal.com/news/growth_conservation/scaled-down-plan-to-widen-capital-beltway-gets-federal-ok/article_3a1de214-27cd-11ed-94c4-2b03d9eb797d.html?