Opinion: Don’t abandon traffic relief between Maryland and Virginia

One of the first major decisions that Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) will have to make is whether to move forward with the plan to widen the American Legion Bridge and Interstate 270. The plan includes two new high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes in each direction, major transit investments in Montgomery County, free travel for carpool and transit vehicles, and new bike and pedestrian connections. The federal environmental study shows significant congestion relief in HOT and existing lanes. After years of extensive study, planning, environmental mitigation and community input, it’s time to approve construction for this urgently needed improvement. The plan has changed significantly since its proposal in 2018 and is nearly identical to the alternative proposed by Montgomery, Prince George’s and Frederick County elected officials in 2019.