While some are clamoring for light rail and tunnels on the Red Line, I think the rest of the alternatives are being overlook (there are 11 in all). I favor Alternative 3A, bus rapid transit, in its own lanes on one-way street pairs. This could provide better east/west travel for cars and transit alike. Use top of the line quiet buses and it will fit into the neighborhoods just fine. Check it out: http://www.baltimoreredline.com/images/stories/redline_documents/deis/chapter6_maps/Chap6_Alt3a.pdf

There a plenty of Trail users from Montgomery County, DC, and Virgina who don't want the Purple Liine light rail alignment along the Capital Crescent Trail. More than 18,000 trail users have signed petitions, and more than 2,000 emails and postcards have been written to the Governor asking that the Purple LIne be built elsewhere or underground.

"But the article is a welcome reminder that folks in Montgomery, behind their best One Maryland smiles, are always on the alert to profit from a divided Baltimore."

From my vantage point, Mike, that's wrong. You are talking about a county that gets back $1 for every $20 that its residents cough up every fiscal year. My experience over the past 11 years has been that I and many of my Montgomery colleagues routinely examine a wide range of issues through a wide angle lens for the greater good of the state.

All major transportation projects have issues to work out. I co-chair the Montgomery-Prince George's Purple Line Legislative Caucus, and I hope all of the Red Line issues resolve quickly. It is my belief that the state of Maryland can justifiably submit the Red Line, Purple Line, and Corridor Cities Transitway at the same time when we go before US DOT seeking federal funding and approval of these sorely needed transit projects.

In recent history, Houston asked for and won federal support for two transit projects that exceeded the cost of our three projects. Maryland has some of the worst traffic congestion in the nation. We also have a high percentage of commuters who are federal workers or who do business with the federal government. The Obama Administration is committed to investing more in transit as part of its greening of the environment and economy strategy. And, we have one of the most influential congressional delegations in the nation.

In spite of all the problems, I remain optimistic about the future of transit in Maryland, and I think we can do it without pitting one region against another.

To see the cathedral of forest and the broad use of the Trail by families with children, the elderly, students, birdwatchers, etc. -- all that is threatened by the light rail Purple Line -- please see the photos at:

http://www.savethetrailpetition.org/

The Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring has 10,000 uses WEEKLY with hikers and bikers coming from all over the region.

It is an essential segment of the Capital Crescent Trail that hooks up with Rockville, Kensington, Silver Spring, Rock Creek Park, Bethesda, DC, Alexandria, and Mt. Vernon.

This is why Petition signers and letters to the Governor come from all over the region.

Bill Bronrott is certainly one of the good guys from Montgomery in terms of looking at issues from a statewide perspective. In deference to his objections, I have amended my post to make it clear that "some" in Montgomery want to eat Baltimore' lunch.
That you can take to the bank.

Del. Bronrott is right. There are many cities out there with significantly less traffic that have gotten funding on par with our three major projects that have been proposed. He is a great delegate and what he says it right on.

I do have to jump on Brian's commentary. If you look at the cost effectiveness and ridership figures, Light Rail beats BRT hands down.

I think MD does have a good argument for the Baltimore Red Line and also Purple Line and CCT since they will be heavily used by federal employees. Being as the Red Line will directly service SSA, the Purple Line will help relieve the expected congestion around NIH & Bethesda Naval by speeding up the transit commute from people in PG County. And the CCT will help get people to NIH, Bethesda Naval and all the Federal jobs in DC.
If Houston can do it, then I'm sure MD can get at the very least two of the three (which it appears its all we are going to shoot for).

@Pam Browning ... I'm tired of MoCos whining about the Purple Line. Strap on your bike helmet, and jump on St. Paul Street in Baltimore and try riding downtown. You'll soon find you have no sympathy for people who complain about having to ride on a dedicated bike trail next to a light rail line.