Posts by Bill Pugh — Guest Contributor
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Not ready for prime time: The flawed 495 Southside Express Lanes
Although their study is far from completion, VDOT appears to have already decided to widen a key segment of I-495 from eight to twelve lanes, with privately controlled toll lanes. Share your thoughts with the Transportation Planning Board. Keep reading…
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Officials must act on promise to fix the region’s Visualize 2050 transportation plan
The Visualize 2050 plan demonstrates where the region’s priorities are – endlessly widening roads to move vehicles, or giving people affordable and sustainable travel options and proximity to jobs and services. The current version is lacking on both equity and sustainability fronts. Washington region residents have until March 30 to comment. Keep reading…
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A law to get climate and transportation on the same page in Maryland
The TCA would require the Maryland Department of Transportation and regional transportation planning agencies to measure and mitigate any forecast increases in vehicle travel and climate pollution caused by proposed highway expansion projects over $10 million, by improving transit, biking, or remote work options. Keep reading…
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Worried about climate change? You can plug into these local efforts to help turn the tide.
There’s a lot you can do to influence the Washington region’s effect on climate change. When you’ve had enough doom scrolling, take a look at where you can help. Keep reading…
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How Washington region leaders can score a transit touchdown for the ages (Hint: it’s not funding a stadium)
Subsidizing big league stadiums is a loser for taxpayers. Public funds would be better spent on saving Metro and bolstering our regional transit system. Keep reading…
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Bike bike baby: How Greater Washington can boost the e-bike revolution
As cities realize the potential benefits of shifting car trips to e-bike trips, they have many options for making it easier to switch. Keep reading…
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Regional bodies may face climate reality check on highway-widening claims
This spring, local jurisdictions and agencies will have to justify how their road projects will reduce emissions as part of an update to Visualize 2045. Keep reading…
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New UN climate report points to compact cities, moving people not just electric cars, to cut emissions
A recent United Nations Emissions Gap Report reveals what many advocates already know: We need walkable, compact, transit-oriented communities, shifting more travel to walking, biking, and transit, and a transition to electric vehicles in order to slash emissions to safe levels. Keep reading…
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An unrealistic transportation plan for Northern Virginia points to real solutions
How the proposed Northern Virginia TransAction2045 transportation plan can do more for the climate and fostering livable, equitable communities, using solutions that aren’t directly proposed in their report. Keep reading…
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Region’s transportation project list largely ignores public input, but the plan can still be improved
OPINION: Though Visualize 2045 remains largely unchanged from the 2018 version, there is still time to improve the plan. Keep reading…