Regional Policy Advisors President Gary V. Hodge talks to citizens about proposed light rail at Waldorf West Library
Waldorf, MD – Citizens involved in the Southern Maryland Alliance for Rail Transit (SMART) are calling on communities to raise their voices at a scheduled public hearing with Charles County Commissioners and local delegates Wednesday, Oct. 18 regarding proposed light rail for Southern Maryland.
President of Regional Policy Advisors Gary V. Hodge, told approximately 30 people gathered at the Waldorf West Library on Monday, Oct. 17, that currently plans are to delay the planning phase of the proposed light rail until 2023.
“We need to build a bigger fire under this,” Hodge said. “We know what we need. We know we qualify for it. When voters are expressing their concerns to the commissioners and delegates, they will listen. We’ve done a lot of work on this.”
Arthur Ellis said that with the impending opening of MGM Casinos at National Harbor will have a detrimental impact on traffic in the county.
“If we drag our heels and don’t push hard, we’ll be eclipsed,” Ellis noted.
Efforts to delay the proposal for another seven years will slow Southern Maryland’s progress going forward, Hodge stated.
“This is a good time to let your elected officials know how you feel about this,” he said.“Even after the legislature approves it, the plan can still be amended. We can’t let it languish for another six years. But you need to know what is being presented tomorrow is not the final draft.”
“That’s our voice,” Hodge added. “We should contact our commissioners and state legislators and tell them to communicate these thoughts to the secretary.”
Hodge said the timeline for the project would be composed of three years of planning and four years to build the project, which would parallel to the CSX tracks.
Two-thirds of the project would be built in Prince George’s County, which has partnered with Charles County.
“This is major for Prince George’s County,” Hodge stressed. “Of course, we’re at the end of the line, so our phase of it would probably be constructed last.”
“We can’t let this just hang out there,” Ellis stated. “We’re missing the bus, the train and everything else.”
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com