Tag: TPB

CSG in the News: DC metro region leaders exclude I-495 express lanes project from long-term plan

Posted on by Elena Sorokina

October 16, 2025 | Nathaniel Cline | Virginia Mercury

Since 2022, Virginia has been conducting a study on adding the express lanes, which public speakers at Wednesday’s meeting referenced. About 13 people spoke at the meeting, many in opposition to the project, with some noting that the state’s study lacked cost estimates for decommissioning private toll lanes in hopes of building a Metrorail line. Others said the express lanes would lead to an increase in vehicles and air pollution levels.

“Only by clearly leaving out the preferred alternative can the region ensure that there’s collaboration among jurisdictions to explore alternatives,” said Bill Pugh, transportation and climate director for the Coalition for Smarter Growth, emphasizing the need for sustainable transportation alternatives and what he called the negative environmental and social impacts of the project.

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CSG in the News: Key vote on I-495 Southside express lanes project postponed to 2026 or beyond

Posted on by Elena Sorokina

October 15, 2025 | Scott McCaffrey | FFXNow

Critics of the toll lanes, however, believe once they are in place, it would be difficult — or impossible — to retrofit the bridge for transit.

Some of those critics lined up to make their case in advance of the TPB’s final discussion. Their concerns went well beyond the Metro question and to the core of VDOT’s efforts to date.

“Multi-billion-dollar decisions should not be made based on flawed and incomplete information,” said Bill Pugh of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, which opposed inclusion of the project. He accused VDOT of trying to push through a “conclusion-first” study justifying the project’s feasibility.

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STATEMENT: Officials express strong support for Metrorail on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and for transit-oriented development

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

The massive number of public comments submitted — totalling 1200 pages which ran over two to one against VDOT”s current 495 Southside Toll Lanes proposal – showed the broad public support for Metrorail and TOD and concerns about the toll lanes. However, the resolution to add the 495 Toll Lanes Southside project to the Visualize 2050 draft list of projects lacks firm commitments for VDOT to study alternatives to highway widening with HOT lanes, and leaves at risk future Metrorail on the Wilson Bridge.

TPB Board Comment, April 2024 Meeting

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

Today you will be briefed on the Visualize 2050 public comments received last month. The feedback form results show overwhelming disappointment with the Visualize 2050 process, its many road widening projects, and voice support for a plan that instead strives to achieve our climate and other goals for walkable, transit-friendly affordable communities.

Comments on TPB’s January 2024 meeting

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

On your agenda today are two items where you can make more progress and ensure that you are meeting the very laudable commitments that you set. I will note another item on the agenda is the resilience work that TPB is doing which has been really outstanding and we look forward to seeing more of the results.

RELEASE: Visualize 2050 public comments (Dec 2023)

RELEASE: Visualize 2050 public comments (Dec 2023)

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

“According to the TPB staff summary, the ‘overarching themes’ of the almost 1,000 comments submitted by the public on proposed regional transportation projects were ‘strong positive sentiment’ toward rail, bus, walking and biking projects and ‘strong negative sentiment towards roadway widening and expansion projects.’ We’ve seen this pattern over the years on various TPB plans, with the public repeatedly calling for a shift in spending priorities to emphasize walking, biking, transit and investments to meet safety and climate goals,” said Bill Pugh, AICP, Senior Policy Fellow for CSG. 

Joint WABA-CSG letter on Increasing Road Fatalities and Visualize 2050

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and the Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG) – two of the region’s leading advocates for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities – respectfully write to provide comment on the ongoing and disturbing traffic fatality and serious injury trends highlighted by TPB staff in their draft Annual Regional Transit and Highway Safety Targets report and presentation. 

TPB Nov 2023 Board Comments

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

We ask TPB members to make safety investments for vulnerable road users a higher priority in your Visualize 2050 project submissions and in your local plans, budgets, and project designs. Please see our joint letter with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association in the meeting packet. 

State Carbon Reduction Strategies need to incorporate TPB climate goals, findings & strategies

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

At the Oct. 18 TPB meeting, state DOT’s will brief you on their draft Carbon Reduction Strategies. The states are required to consult with TPB on these plans before they submit them to the federal government next month. The Coalition for Smarter Growth encourages TPB members to closely review and provide feedback on these strategies.