A spirited debate on HOT lanes indeed.
Over the weekend, TBD put together a panel of local politicians, a transportation expert, and one local reporter to discuss the Virginia Department of Transportation’s decision to move ahead with HOV/HOT lanes on Interstate 95 without any of the planned High Occupancy Toll lanes on Interstate 395 over which Arlington County had sued the state.
Arlington County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman defended the county’s legal dispute over the project, which VDOT officials blamed for holding up construction. Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity and Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance President Bob Chase each criticized Arlington for the halting progress on local roads.
Local residents and officials have been split on the issue, with some praising the new project, some dissapointed, while others worry about the impacts on Arlington businesses.
