Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

Improving our Transportation Infrastructure and Investing in Smart Development:
The future of transportation in District 20 is getting people out of their cars by providing easy access to reliable public transportation and creating safe walkable communities. Smart development, sound infrastructure, a properly funded Metro, and construction of the Purple Line are essential to the success of our community.
My plan to strengthen our transportation infrastructure:

Making Metro Work for District 20

District 20 has several major transit hubs for the surrounding metropolitan area. It is home to one Metro station (another, Takoma, is just across the District line), is and hundreds of bus stops. Our State government contributes $265 million to operate Metro annually, considerably more than Washington D.C., or Virginia, but has little meaningful oversight regarding how that money is spent. In the midst of perennial delays and increasing ridership, our residents deserve to know how our money is spent, and the State needs the ability to ensure its effective use.

I intend to work in Annapolis to ensure proper oversight and accountability of Metro so the money we spend on the system is used effectively. I also plan to reach out to other jurisdictions to find solutions that benefit the entire system that many Marylanders use, both within the state and around the metro area.

Ensuring Purple Line Progress Stays on Track

The Purple Line will run through the heart of District 20, connecting College Park to Bethesda, providing an efficient and affordable option for those commuting across and within county lines. Transporting almost 70,000 people each day, taking roughly 17,000 cars off the road, the Purple Line will ease congestion and provide quicker commuting options for those who rely on public transportation. The Purple Line will promote smart growth and continue the progress toward making Montgomery County a more walkable community.

This past session, Governor O'Malley, signed the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013, which will ultimately invest $280 million for final design of the Purple Line. Obtaining the state funding required to complete the Purple Line is one of my highest priorities. During its construction, I also intend to work with those in the affected neighborhoods, and with affected local businesses, to ensure their voice is heard as the project moves toward implementation. I believe the State can and must provide help to those who will be adversely affected by the construction to ensure it has as minimal a negative impact on the community as possible.

Making Transportation Options Safer and More Reliable

I was pleased to see Maryland set up a funding source dedicated for transportation. This fund will accomplish a great number of improvements for the state's transportation infrastructure. Annapolis simply must do better in the future at protecting our roads, bridges and tunnels. I intend to continue the fight for our community's fair share of state funding to improve our roads and bridges.

Making District 20 More Walkable

It's no secret that our community's streets and highways are packed with too many cars. I believe the district's greatest asset is the ease with which our residents can get around by walking or biking.

While this issue is almost solely in the hands of the County Council, I believe a stronger partnership than currently exists will allow our community to grow in a manner consistent with our values and I will work to ensure that all new development emphasizes walkability, and easy access to safe, efficient public transit. This also includes the creation and maintenance of safe sidewalks and bike lanes.

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