Local
Activist group tries to stop HOT lanes
By: Kytja Weir
February 13, 2009
A transit advocacy group filed a $1 billion injunction in Fairfax Circuit Court Thursday against a plan to create high-occupancy toll lanes along the Capital Beltway and the Interstate 95/395 corridor.
The Metro Area Mass Movement Association, which leader Brent Reynolds said has 1,500 members, argues that Fluor-Transurban’s plan does not properly take into account the environmental impact of the highway widening projects. It asks that all tree-cutting and land clearing be stopped until the companies answer additional questions.
The lanes would let vehicles with three or more passengers travel for free. But unlike regular HOV lanes, they also would allow single-occupancy vehicles to use the less-congested lanes by paying a toll.
The Metro Area Mass Movement Association, which leader Brent Reynolds said has 1,500 members, argues that Fluor-Transurban’s plan does not properly take into account the environmental impact of the highway widening projects. It asks that all tree-cutting and land clearing be stopped until the companies answer additional questions.
The lanes would let vehicles with three or more passengers travel for free. But unlike regular HOV lanes, they also would allow single-occupancy vehicles to use the less-congested lanes by paying a toll.
