January 16, 2019
Secretary Pete Rahn
Maryland Department of Transportation
7201 Corporate Center Drive
Hanover, MD 21076
Re: Public Meeting in Rockville on 1–270
Dear Secretary Rahn,
On behalf of the residents of Rockville and Gaithersburg, we are writing to request that the Department of Transportation hold a public scoping meeting in District 17 regarding the proposed I-270 traffic relief project.
The proposed project has generated widespread concern among residents of our district, who fear loss of homes and businesses, as well as degraded quality of life from additional traffic, noise, and air pollution. Many residents have already voiced their concerns as part of the official public process, but many others have not. This was, in part, because no public scoping meetings have been held to date in the 1-270 study area.
Senator Kagan raised this specific point at the October 2018 Montgomery County ‘Road Show.’ At the meeting, you committed to holding at least one public meeting in Rockville.
The Montgomery County House Delegation learned last week that the public scoping meetings will continue to be held into February 2019. As such, we ask that you fulfill your promise and hold a public meeting in Rockville in the near future. The City of Rockville stands ready to host the meeting at one of their facilities.
We look forward to your prompt response to this time-sensitive matter. For more information, please contact Delegate Palakovich Carr’s office at julie.palakovichcarr@house.state.md.us.
Sincerely,
Senator Cheryl C. Kagan
Delegate Kumar Barve
Delegate Jim Gilchrist
Delegate Julie Palokovich Carr