Politicians Call for More Changes to Already-Reduced Beltway Widening Plans
While several local and state officials praised the state’s decision to not widen the Beltway at the 270-495 spur through Chevy Chase and Silver Spring, they also called for more changes to the state’s latest proposal to reduce traffic congestion along the Beltway.
County Executive Marc Elrich applauded the decision not to widen 495 east of Old Georgetown Road, noting it officially ends fears by the residents and businesses that could have been displaced or negatively impacted by the project.
Under the most recent plans, a new American Legion Bridge and two high occupancy toll lanes in each direction from the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia to east Maryland 187 on 495 would be built, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation. On 270, from 495 north of 370 and on the one 270 eastern spur from 187 to 270, there will be one high occupancy toll lane added in each direction.
County, State Leaders React to Derek Chauvin Guilty Verdict
Montgomery County and state leaders are reacting to the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, who on Tuesday was found guilty for the murder of George Floyd.
Chauvin was found guilty on all three of his charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin was convicted for killing Floyd, a Black man, after holding his knee on Floyd’s neck on May 25, 2020. According to a statement of probable cause filed in a Minnesota District Court, Chauvin held his knee on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes, including three minutes after Floyd became unresponsive. Floyd was accused of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a grocery store, which prompted the call to police. Witness footage of the killing sparked international outrage and calls for racial justice.