We are opposed to the Techway because it:

• Would not relieve congestion
• Would threaten Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve
• Would increase sprawl development in the Virginia countryside
• Would increase development far away from job centers

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The Techway would not relieve congestion:

In a December 1999 statement to the Northern Virginia Transportation Coordinating Committee, the Virginia Department of Transportation stated that the "techway" would not relieve traffic on the Beltway or on I-66. Planners in Montgomery County found only a 6 percent reduction in traffic from a new crossing.

According to the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, 6 out of every 10 jobs in the region will be located within 10 miles of the District of Columbia in 2025. In Montgomery County alone, the overwhelming majority of jobs will be in the employment centers of Bethesda-Silver Spring-Georgia Avenue-Rockville and only 5 percent of workers in Montgomery County will travel to Virginia for jobs. Therefore, the construction of a new bridge will not help most commuters because most projected job growth in the region will occur in existing employment centers.

The Techway would threaten Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve:

The western edge of Montgomery County is known as the Agricultural Reserve and maintains the original rural character of the county. This protected region also contributes economically due to its thriving agricultural industry. The Techway would cut directly through the Agricultural Reserve. The Montgomery County Council opposes the highway and the land use plans for the county do not allow for such a road.

The Techway would increase sprawl development in Virginia's countryside:

The Techway would create development opportunities along Route 28 and into Fairfax and Loudoun counties. Many of these areas are still semi-rural. Building new development would divert money and services away from the communities in inner Fairfax County that need help the most. All new highways, even "limited access parkways" induce poorly planned development.

The Techway would increase development far away from job centers:

The Techway would spread development away from metropolitan centers where the majority of the jobs in the region are located. Instead of development occurring in areas where there is already infrastructure to sustain growth, the Techway would induce growth in rural areas. Having housing so far from job centers leads to longer commutes and more congestion.