In less than two weeks, the newest segment of the InterCounty Connector opens, extending the toll highway from Georgia Avenue to I-95. Some neighbors are already worrying about what the road will bring:
There's a jobs and housing divide in Montgomery County (and Greater Washington as a whole), with most of the region's jobs on the west side in places like Gaithersburg and most of its residents in places like East County. I'm nervous that the ICC will just make it easier for people here to go over there, only reinforcing that division.
But it also has the potential to change the way people think about all parts of Montgomery County, which could result in more investment in East County. This Washington Post article from 2005 predicts that the highway will dramatically increase the level of development allowed over here, due to formulas the county uses based on how much "capacity" local roads have.
Does David Plihal really want to get on the highway that goes through his backyard and drive to Gaithersburg for work or shopping? Or would he rather have those things closer to home, meaning he won't have to travel as far? If the InterCounty Connector works as planned, people in East County might have a lot fewer reasons to go west. That might mean more "traffic," but it means residents like Plihal get to spend their time actually doing things rather than going elsewhere to do things.
(Of course, it's worth questioning why MoCo used to only allow development in areas with less traffic, meaning that places that are congested but are accessible by foot/bike/transit like downtown Silver Spring got passed over for decades, but that's for another post.)
David Plihal, president of the Stonegate Citizens Association, which represents about 1,400 homes off Bonifant Road in northern Silver Spring, said he’s concerned that the ICC will bring more local traffic by spurring development in the area. “I think people are resigned to the fact that it’s there and it’s built,” Plihal said, “and there’s nothing we can do about it.”I appreciate his frustration. I was never entirely comfortable with the highway being built, and I admit it really sucks for people whose neighborhoods are now bounded by it.
There's a jobs and housing divide in Montgomery County (and Greater Washington as a whole), with most of the region's jobs on the west side in places like Gaithersburg and most of its residents in places like East County. I'm nervous that the ICC will just make it easier for people here to go over there, only reinforcing that division.
But it also has the potential to change the way people think about all parts of Montgomery County, which could result in more investment in East County. This Washington Post article from 2005 predicts that the highway will dramatically increase the level of development allowed over here, due to formulas the county uses based on how much "capacity" local roads have.
Does David Plihal really want to get on the highway that goes through his backyard and drive to Gaithersburg for work or shopping? Or would he rather have those things closer to home, meaning he won't have to travel as far? If the InterCounty Connector works as planned, people in East County might have a lot fewer reasons to go west. That might mean more "traffic," but it means residents like Plihal get to spend their time actually doing things rather than going elsewhere to do things.
(Of course, it's worth questioning why MoCo used to only allow development in areas with less traffic, meaning that places that are congested but are accessible by foot/bike/transit like downtown Silver Spring got passed over for decades, but that's for another post.)
5 comments:
According to the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) online database, Mr. Plihal (quoted by the Post article that you then quoted in turn) purchased his home on Redgate Drive in the Cloverly Master Plan Area in August of 1998. That was many years after the ICC was put on the Master Plan of Highways.
I don't have much sympathy for anyone (including Mr. Plihal) that bought real estate anywhere near the ICC (or as it was previously known, the Outer Beltway) after the early 1970's.
Does David Plihal really want to get on the highway that goes through his backyard and drive to Gaithersburg for work or shopping? Or would he rather have those things closer to home, meaning he won't have to travel as far? If the InterCounty Connector works as planned, people in East County might have a lot fewer reasons to go west. That might mean more "traffic," but it means residents like Plihal get to spend their time actually doing things rather than going elsewhere to do things.
Dan, absolutely superb question and comment. Contrary to what some have claimed, the ICC will be a two-way highway.
Development of Eastern Montgomery County as an employment center is good for the entire county, and especially for the East.
Consistent with that, and even though Mr. Plihal and many of his anti-ICC friends have used Konterra (mostly in Prince George's County) as a boogeyman to not build the ICC, I feel that its development will help, not hurt Montgomery County - contrary to what the late Barney Evans, one of the loudest anti-ICC activists during the 1990's EIS process, claimed in his 1997 testimony (among other things, Evans assrted that if Konterra were to be built there would be no redevelopment of downtown Silver Spring). Don't take my word on what Evans said - that testimony is part of the 1997 ICC EIS hearings record, and is online (hosted by UMBC) here.
(Of course, it's worth questioning why MoCo used to only allow development in areas with less traffic, meaning that places that are congested but are accessible by foot/bike/transit like downtown Silver Spring got passed over for decades, but that's for another post.)
Dan, that's a good question. But consider that development approvals across Montgomery County from Fairland in the east to Shady Grove in the west, since the 1970's, assumed that the ICC would get built.
It's beyond me as to why people spontaneously get upset at a highway that has been planned for several decades. Like C.P. Zilliacus, I have NO SYMPATHY for grumpy people who live near the ICC, they knew the property beyond their backyard would eventually become a highway, they just lived in denial and now are conveniently upset. The highway is generally below-grade in residential areas and does not produce as much noise as it could. The ICC is a two-way highway so I don't understand the notion that people in east county will use it to escape to the see the wizard in the Land of Oz. Montgomery County is a pain to navigate and east county and up county have always been disconnected by metro as well as highway. ICC will only help to CONNECT/UNITE the two regions. The only thing that pisses me off is the fact that it's a TOLL ROAD. So my broke behind won't be using it.
Isayaah Parker wrote:
Like C.P. Zilliacus, I have NO SYMPATHY for grumpy people who live near the ICC, they knew the property beyond their backyard would eventually become a highway, they just lived in denial and now are conveniently upset.
Yes, YES, a THOUSAND TIMES YES.
Montgomery County is a pain to navigate and east county and up county have always been disconnected by metro as well as highway. ICC will only help to CONNECT/UNITE the two regions.
Yes, I don't think too many people ride the eastern part of the Red Line (the Glenmont side) to get to the western part (the Shady Grove side).
The only thing that pisses me off is the fact that it's a TOLL ROAD. So my broke behind won't be using it.
If it had been built in the 1970's, as the State Highway Administration had once planned (before NIMBYist opposition was raised by elected officials like the late Idamae Garrott), it would presumably have been "free" (though no highway is ever really free).
But even if you don't feel you have the bucks to regularly drive on it, it will still there if you are in a hurry. Additionally, the Maryland Transit Administration will be starting up new bus lines (in addition to the Route 200 and Route 201 buses that are running now) for the ICC.
I have never supported the ICC- it is a waste of money, environmentally unsound
it will lead to more development along the route which in turn will lead to more homes and business.
A bigger tax base maybe-but is it worth it -NO!
But now it is too late- those who complain had their chance to change things but waited too late.
Those politicians and land speculators who bought land around the area of the ICC they made their money- so now we are stuck with a white elephant.
I will never use it- I will take the smaller roads if I wish to cross county- I refuse to pay a tol for the use of a road- I already pay enough with gasoline taxes, Perhaps those who are opposed to the Purple Line will learn from this and try to stop it before it is to late- but perhaps it already is.
Bob Fustero
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