ReCap of the Cross County Connector Meeting July 31st, 2008

What a show! The Charles County Cross County Connector (CCC) Meeting and Presentation with the Army Core of Engineers was this evening, and I just got home from the meeting.

Sensitive Subject

Supporters claim it is a necessary project to support the growing region, mentioning concerns about safety on Billingsley Road (I agree, it's unsafe), The need to relieve congestion (I agree, congestion is a problem in the area), and the necessity to support local growth.

The opponents of the highway claim that it is going to be too damaging to the Mattawoman Creek Watershed (an environmental impact study, or EIS is needed), too expensive ($60 Million), and too frivolous (Is another road connecting 301 and 210 needed with 228 already built?).

Both sides have valid points and concerns, and I went to this evenings meeting hoping to hear what everyone had to say and see the proposals in person.

Once the meeting was underway (an hour late due to the overwhelming turnout), speakers were limited to 3 minutes each, which is typical. What wasn't typical was the 350+ people in attendance and the 163 people that signed up to speak!

Time To Go

I mentioned that I walked out early, and here's why: While I understand that there are a lot of concerns on both sides of the debate, I felt as though the same arguments were simply being repeated over and over again. I don't want to minimize the importance of what people say and feel about the project, but attending the meeting made very apparent how the majority of those in attendance felt about the project.

Wrapping Up

If you're wondering where I stand on the highway, let me say this: I don't believe the case for the highway has been sufficiently proven. At the same time, I do feel like there is a legitimate reason for the road to be built.

The question for me is this: Do the costs and risks of building this road outweigh the benefits? I think there needs to be more work done in order to establish that the road is the risk that people are making it out to be.

For me, I see it as a huge economic benefit to the county, particularly the western side of CC.

It seemed clear the road is not yet acceptable to local residents. In the next few days I will work to bring forward more of the details on what the good and bad points are on the possible Cross County Connector.

Link to More Photos: Cross County Connector Meeting Photos