Richmond – Delegate David Englin (D-45), whose district is at the heart of the proposed I-395/95 HOT Lanes project, made the following statement today in response to the lawsuit Arlington County filed today against the United States Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the Commonwealth of Virginia:
The Arlington County Board has taken an important step toward protecting quality of life in Parkfairfax, Fairlington, Shirlington, and the surrounding neighborhoods, and I encourage citizens and local officials to support their effort.
While the hundreds of Alexandrians and Arlingtonians who have mobilized in opposition to the project as currently proposed do recognize the legitimate need for transportation improvements along I-395/95, we must continue to demand that nothing move forward until a full and comprehensive environmental assessment provides the data necessary to ensure that no harm will come to our community as a result.
Good data and analysis drive good public policy, and it is my sincere hope that this lawsuit ultimately will push the various stakeholders to do the analysis necessary to deliver a win-win solution. In my view — a view I believe will be validated by analysis resulting from this legal action — a win-win solution will be based on transit that moves people and does not simply increase the volume of cars moving from Stafford and Prince William into the District of Columbia.
Again, I congratulate the Arlington County Board on its leadership, and I encourage the citizens of the 45th District to continue to support their efforts.
Click here for more information from Arlington County about the lawsuit.
