VDOT oversteps on HOT lanes
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I am disappointed by the one-dimensional story on Oct. 23 about Arlington County's lawsuit challenging the Virginia Department of Transportation's plans for high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes. The Post missed the larger story.
Arlington took action because VDOT has not presented data to substantiate the claim that HOT lanes will work better than the current high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. In short, we believe that fewer people will travel in HOT lanes than are currently using HOV lanes; people will use more vehicles, take longer to move to their destinations and create more pollution. This will not be an improvement.
The HOT lanes project does not comply with National Environmental Policy Act requirements to analyze the impacts of the project on HOV and transit, neighborhood streets, air quality, and the environment, and specifically to consider the impacts on low-income and minority communities.
Some of these communities will probably suffer greater environmental harm than other communities. Asking VDOT to abide by the law is appropriate and will protect the region's transportation system.
Barbara Favola, Arlington
The writer is chairman of the Arlington County Board.
