I’m Allen Muchnick, a City of Manassas resident. I’ve helped lead the Arlington Coalition for
Sensible Transportation since 1999. The following remarks are
my own.
Most of you oppose the recent congestion-priced tolling
of I-66 inside the Beltway, but that opposition is misguided and
counterproductive. After spending the
past 18 years fighting for a wiser I-66 inside the Beltway, I’m quite familiar
with all the arguments against the tolls and would be happy to meet with any of
you to discuss this issue. For now, here
are some facts:
I-66 inside the Beltway is the most controversial
Interstate highway segment ever built, has two Metrorail lines in its median,
and has always had peak-period HOV restrictions. The congestion-priced tolls merely replace
the former HOV restrictions, which had failed to keep I-66 free-flowing for
express buses and carpools due to several HOV exemptions and rampant HOV
cheating.
NOBODY is forced to pay these tolls. Ample toll-free alternative routes exist
inside the Beltway, including the Route 50 and GWMP expressways. Those who formerly drove on I-66 before or
after the former HOV hours, often at 30 MPH or less, are not inordinately
delayed by using an alternative route, and they now have the option of
traveling I-66 at 55 MPH by paying the toll or carpooling.
The new I-66 tolls are less unfair than the tolls on the
I-495 or I-95 express lanes: only one
passenger is needed for toll-free travel, and the bulk of the toll revenue is
being invested in transit (including PRTC bus and VRE), ride-sharing, roadway,
and other multimodal I-66 corridor improvements that benefit the toll payers. Moreover, without this tolling, widening
I-66 both outside and inside the Beltway would be politically and financially
infeasible.
The toll prices are irrelevant; they are the minimum
needed to keep I-66 free flowing for express buses and carpools. Save your outrage for the decades of
congestion delay endured by I- 66 bus riders and carpoolers. Save your outrage for the decades of
inadequate support of bus transit and ridesharing by Prince William’s elected
officials.
Thank you for your time and attention.
