Light rail recommended to ease traffic on I-270

ROCKVILLE, Md. - They may not use mass transit, but six of the nine members of the Montgomery County Council voted for light rail versus a high-speed bus service along Interstate 270.

"I would take transit if it took me where I wanted to go quickly and efficiently," Councilmember George Leventhal says.

The Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) would carry traffic along the I-270 corridor from Shady Grove to Clarksburg at a cost of just under $1 billion.

Richard Parsons, who works for the CCT Coalition, says even in a tight economy, the chances of getting the light rail project underway are good.

"First of all, Gov. {Martin} O'Malley has been a long time supporter of the Corridor Cities Transitway so we're very optimistic that the council's decision will carry some weight. We will get this project over the finish line -- sooner rather than later."

Parsons says the CCT could carry more than 45,000 riders.

As for Maryland's billion dollar budget shortfall, Leventhal says there's no question a new revenue source for transportation projects is needed.

"Frankly, we have to raise the gas tax."

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