Opposition to ICC divided along county lines
This is not original reporting. All information has been compiled from The Gazette article "Andrew agitates ICC supporters" by Sean R. Sedam.
County Councilman Philip M. Andrews voiced his opposition at a pre New Year's Eve conference to the Inter County Connector (ICC). Andrews pointed out that the ICC will not reduce traffic on the Beltway in Montgomery County.
Andrews cited charts on a 1,465 page report that the Maryland State Highway administration released in November showing that building the ICC would put 3,000 to 7,000 more vehicles on the Beltway between Colesville Road and Georgia Avenue on the weekdays by the year 2030.
On Jan 3, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce called Andrew's claim "a blanket statement that is pure fiction."
The report described how the ICC would not reduce traffic significantly, saying that the highway would divert "a few trips from the Beltway to [the ICC]." State transportation secretary Robert L. Flanagan emphasized that traffic on the Beltway should be understood as a separate issue because the report stated that the number of vehicles taken off the Beltway would be offset "by traffic that diverts to the Beltway from other routes."
Governor Robert Erlich is addressing the Beltway as a separate issue and has proposed constructing express toll lanes for motorists with E-Z Pass electronic toll stickers.
Support for the road is divided among county interests. Along with Andrews, the Coalition for Smarter Growth and the Prince George's Council are against the ICC. The group attacked the state's report, saying that it is too expensive and has damaging effects on the environment and that the public has not been properly informed about the highway. For instance few people know that a one way trip on the 16 mile road would cost each driver $4.50. They also are against the ICC because they believe that it will have no benefit for Prince George's County.
On the other hand, the Montgomery County Council and County Executive Douglas M. Duncan among others support the road.
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