Intercounty Connector (ICC)
Announcement Archive
This page contains announcements sent to the membership through the electronic AGWG Announcements. Subscribe to the AGWG email list to receive ICC news.
SHA To Meet With AGWG to Discuss ICC Impacts on April 22
4/1/08Join us for the Spring General Meeting! SHA representatives will join us on Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00p.m. They understand that we want primarily to discuss the construction and Layhill interchange traffic impacts as well as sound barriers and air quality. The meeting will be at the Layhill Road Methodist Church (Oak Chapel).
ICC opponents continue to work to reverse the decision to build the ICC. The sponsors of the anti-ICC law suit, which lost in court despite the clear showing that the state failed to perform legislatively required air quality tests, are evaluating whether the likelihood of victory is sufficient to justify the cost of an appeal. If they do proceed they will be seeking more financial support. They are also lobbying in support of three legislative proposals to cut off funding or to defer funding pending further air quality or environmental impact studies. Bills will be filed shortly. The bills have substantial, but not yet sufficient, support in the house. The Sierra Club, Audubon Society and other anti-ICC groups are working to increase grassroots organizing. Opposition is also building in Leisure World.
We are saddened to report that the Willson's have found it necessary to sell their family home and property. They have purchased a home in Ashton.
A meeting was held recently to discuss the Northwest Branch Recreational Park Master Plan. Topics scheduled for discussion were the installation of a Verizon Tower where the Trolley Museum now stands, developing a family recreation area north of Bonifant and a "Rachel Carson Trail" through the area under the ICC (former wetlands).
ICC is a go, judge says
11/8/07A federal judge cleared the way on Thursday, November 8, for construction to begin on the Intercounty Connector. "There is no legal or equitable basis to prevent the Inter-County Connector from moving forward,” wrote Judge Alexander Williams Jr. of U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. Full story
SHA To Meet With AGWG to Discuss ICC Impacts on April 22
The scheduled court hearings concluded the fourth week of October. A decision should be issued soon. In the meantime, a majority of the Montgomery Council have requested that property takings and all-work on the ICC toll-way be halted until the court rules on the suits. Two of our local representatives, Hank Heller and Roger Manno have also written to Governor O’Malley requesting that he suspend the taking of property along the route pending the court decision. Efforts by Heller and Manno to save the Willson farm have not been successful and the sale of the home and property to the state appears likely.
The state has agreed with the plaintiffs in the suit to suspend most construction activity pending the decision.
Marilyn J. Praisner, Council President, has sent a letter to the State Highway Administration and the Montgomery County Planning Board with a list of very pointed questions regarding plans for the toll-way. The requests include detailed questions about the inadequate test for air pollution, impact on global warming and Chesapeake wet-lands, the direct costs of environmental mitigation projects and anticipated increase in total costs for the toll-way, construction details, and monitoring of construction by Parks and Planning..
We have been reliably informed that the State has no current plan to deal with the traffic dumped on Georgia by the ICC when the western stretch is completed prior to the completion of the central section. Nor is there as yet any funding in sight to widen Layhill road to deal with the traffic from 198 to the proposed Layhill interchange. All this will be exacerbated by an added exit ramp headed east from Georgia onto 198.
So, a lot hangs on the court decision. If the court suspends construction pending the inevitable further litigation the politics will heat up. If the court permits the road to proceed, AGAG will have to work to try to mitigate the substantial increase in noise, traffic and air pollution we can expect from the construction.
ICC: Done Deal or Half-Baked?
Ernst Benjamin, ICC Task Force Chair10/10/06
The Federal Highway Administration approved the ICC Corridor 1 option (Master Plan Alignment) including an interchange at Layhill between Longmeade and Park Vista on May 29. If the ICC continues on track, work is scheduled to begin by 2008 and completion is scheduled as early as 2011. But significant obstacles remain.
In July, I testified on behalf of AGWG along with other ICC opponents at a hearing before the Montgomery County Planning Board. Critics emphasized the findings of the Board staff that the State had not yet provided adequate assurance of compliance with environmental regulations. It is my understanding that the Board issued a qualified approval pending completion of letters of agreement intended to ensure compliance; but the Board web-site does not report what action was taken.
Jim Fary, a well-informed critic of the ICC, has filed an administrative appeal before the Water Management Administration of the Maryland Department of the Environment on behalf of some two dozen County residents including Anne Willson, my wife and myself. The appeal alleges the likelihood of increased flooding, loss of riparian buffer that violates Anacostia and Chesapeake Bay restoration agreements, increased pollution, other environmental damage, and loss of recreational opportunities..
These issues, as well as transportation issues, are likely to form the basis of legal action by a coalition of environmental groups. In the meantime, ICC opponents have continued leafleting and public relations activities to increase community awareness of the low benefits and high costs of the ICC. [See: http://www.savecommunities.org]
The Gazette ran a story on September 6 on the impact to the Willson farm where Mrs. Willson's 121 year old family home will be destroyed or displaced by the ICC. (See illustration including AGWG signage). The story included a lengthy quote from AGWG president Joel Mazelis warning of the traffic impact on Layhill road and aptly comparing the ICC to Boston's "Big Dig."
Political support for the ICC is eroding. Several AGWG members participated in a forum for anti-ICC candidates on the Willson farm, September 9. The new County Council will include at least 4 anti-ICC Members. Ike Leggett, the likely successor to Doug Duncan, is a less enthusiastic supporter. Gubernatorial candidate O'Malley is less committed to the ICC than Governor Ehrlich. AGWG board member Roger Manno, who opposes the Layhill interchange, led the group of candidates for election to state delegate from our district.
If the ICC encounters obstacles, this gradual political realignment will be a significant factor in determining whether the ICC proceeds or is replaced by more effective mass transit and local roadway improvements. In addition to the probable legal action, the principle obstacle will be the escalating cost.
The SHA estimate of $2.4 billion ($3.0 with financing) is several years old. The escalating costs of petroleum and other essential materials certainly exceeds the original inflation allowances. Moreover, new and unbudgeted collateral costs such as increased land acquisition, additional mitigation requirements, and improving Layhill north of the proposed interchange, keep surfacing. With tolls already estimated at $7 per day, toll increases would tend to diminish use and revenue. The state may well have to seek additional funding from a less receptive Legislature, Council and Federal Government.
Councilwoman Nancy Floreen stated at a meeting of the Montgomery County Civic Federation that she expected opponents of the ICC to file legal actions to block construction following the election. A leading opponent confirmed that such actions would be filed.
The County Council has adopted a 10-Year Transportation Plan. The plan includes a proposal to widen Layhill from Longmeade Rd. north to Norbeck Rd. and to widen Norbeck and Spencerville Roads to four lanes between Georgia and Burtonsville. As expected, the plan also includes grade separated interchange improvements at Georgia and Norbeck as well as Georgia and Randolph.
The comprehensive plan for both road and transit improvements, which includes the ICC and has not otherwise been funded, would cost 7 billion dollars. "It is projected that [without the plan] 23.5% of all traffic lanes will be congested in 2015, but under the plan only 19.1% will be congested." Planners offered no explanation of how the County could expect to find 4 billion dollars for the various improvements other than the ICC on top of the 3 billion the state and federal authorities have committed to the ICC.
So, in view of the likelihood of legal action, cost escalation, and increasing community awareness and dissatisfaction, the ICC is not a done deal.
Does the ICC threaten to take your home, or even a piece of your property?
7/19/06The Audubon Naturalist Society wants to help. They are organizing directly-affected property owners. If you believe the state wants to obtain your property, please send your contact information to info@audubonnaturalist.org as soon as possible. ANS aims to let people know their rights, and to hold the State Highway Administration accountable for misinformation and threatening tactics. Please help!
Two ways you can continue the fight against the Intercounty Connector
6/29/061) Sign the online petition By going to the website of the Sierra Club, you can sign an online petition against the ICC. It only takes a few seconds to do! Just visit: www.sierraclub.org/ICC-petition
2) Join volunteers at 4th of July events We need volunteers to hand out our new, full color ICC brochures at 4th of July celebrations. There are 5 big events at different times:
- * Takoma Park Parade: 8:45 am - 12:30 pm, Carroll & Ethan Allen Avenues, Takoma Park
- * Kensington Kid's Parade: 10 am, St. Paul Park, Kensington
- * Gaithersburg Fireworks: 5 pm - 8:30 pm, Montgomery County Fairgrounds
- * Rockville Fireworks: 7 pm, Montgomery College Rockville Campus
- * Poolesville Fireworks: 6-9 pm, Soccer Fields on Hughes Rd. at Sugarland Rd.
There will be thousands and thousands of people at these events. This is an incredible opportunity to capitalize on our new educational materials. We can show our strength and determination to the public, candidates, and officials who may be in attendance. People will see us out there, organized, and presenting alternatives.
If you can attend, please contact Brian Henry at 301-652-9188 Ext. 18 or by email to bhenry@audubonnaturalist.org.
Contributed by: Roger Plaut, contact@LUAICC.org, www.LUAICC.org on June 29, 2006
