The latest Washington Post-Schar School poll shows a majority of support among D.C.-area and Montgomery County residents at 61%. But, in Prince George’s County, that number drops to 48%.
When considering the main concerns, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties — along with Northern Virginia and D.C. residents — expressed reservations about the proposal.
“Seventy-three percent regionwide said that they were concerned it required destruction of homes; 69% said it would be too expensive to use,” said the Post’s Emily Guskin.
And 68% said the plan wouldn’t address congestion, and more traffic noise was a concern among 47% of residents polled.
When it comes to possible changes to the proposal regionwide, a majority of residents did support adding adjustable tolls while keeping current lanes free, while 28% felt the focus should be on reducing traffic on roads. And 32% said leaders should focus on improving current road conditions.
But local lawmakers continue to speak out against the proposed project altogether.
In a letter to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich urged the group not to give up any land for the project, saying it would be a disruption to neighborhoods, overpasses and adjacent parkland.
The commission owns parkland along the Beltway, including Northwest Branch Recreational Park and Rock Creek Park. It has the authority to decide whether a current easement that runs through the parks should be expanded to allow for the expansion.
