The Gazette interviewed Maryland Transportation Secretary John Porcari. Here is what he said towards the end about various transportation projects competing for funds:
Q: What about expanding the Red Line in Baltimore?
A: We want ... consensus. ... We don’t need warring advisory committees [or] counterproductive discussions about what’s appropriate and what’s not. We’ve had some discussions ... [about] trying to combine the two committees.
Q: On building the Metrorail Purple Line [between Bethesda and New Carrollton]?
A: A more refined model of ridership would serve the project well. Before you get to the specific alignments, the transit modes, you need a better understanding of the ridership potential. A corollary of that is tying it to local land-use plans. We’re working very closely with both Montgomery and Prince George’s County to make sure we are maximizing the potential for transit-oriented development.
Q: On Corridor Cities Transitway [a proposed busline between the Shady Grove Metro station and Clarksburg and perhaps Frederick]?
A: Maryland Transit Authority has ‘‘request for expression of interest” out to see if there’s any private interest for public-private partnership that would include the Corridor Cities Transitway in the 270 corridor.
Q: On building a second crossing over the Potomac River?
A: The difficulty is, if it makes sense to have a crossing, finding an alignment that works for both Virginia and Maryland. Our land uses are almost opposite on two sides of the river.
Q: On building a Route 301 bypass at Waldorf?
A: Some of the worst traffic congestion in the state is in Waldorf. The bypass is sorely needed. We’ve been working with county commissioners on preserving right-of-way for an alignment that works [and is mindful of the environmental issues].
Q: On augmenting Route 301’s Governor Nice Bridge from Southern Maryland to Virginia?
A: The bridge itself will need rehabilitation in the midterm. The question is ... whether a parallel span is needed. That’s one of the things the transportation authority is looking at now.
Q: On creating ferry service from Southern Maryland to the Eastern Shore?
A: It [would] require a substantial operating subsidy. Connecting Southern Maryland to the lower Shore does make a lot of sense ... [but] it’s not clear that ferry service, seasonal or year-round, would be cost-effective.
Fascinating that a man known for being a strong Purple Line advocate makes comments that are non-committal to say the least. Does anyone have any idea what these comments mean?
Meanwhile, Prince George's municipal officials rallied against the ICC and for the Purple Line.
