Statement: Board of Trade Applauds Thoughtful Transportation Planning Board Action on I-495 Southbound Plan
About Statement:
The Board of Trade applauds the Transportation Planning Board’s decision this week to defer action on the I-495 Southside Express Lanes project — a step that reflects real progress toward a coordinated, forward-looking transportation strategy for our region.
Official Statement:
October 15, 2025
This week’s vote by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Transportation Planning Board (TPB) to defer action on the I-495 Southside Express Lanes project reflects real progress and a responsible approach to one of our region’s most complex transportation challenges. We thank the TPB and its members for keeping the project moving forward by allowing additional time to refine details, address legitimate concerns, and strengthen collaboration across jurisdictions.
The express lanes proposal offers a critical piece of regional infrastructure that must be viewed in the context of the entire Capital Beltway, including the American Legion Bridge, to ensure we are building a cohesive system that advances sustainable growth, mobility, and environmental goals. Projects of this scale demand careful planning, meaningful public engagement, and coordination among Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia to deliver real value for the people and businesses of Greater Washington.
At the same time, we must act with urgency. Our competitiveness depends on how quickly we modernize the infrastructure that connects our communities, employers, and talent. Deliberation should not become delay. This pause should be used productively to build consensus and align priorities so implementation can proceed efficiently once the path is clear.
The Board of Trade supports leaders across all jurisdictions working together with renewed focus, transparency, and speed. Our region’s success depends on a seamless, connected transportation network. We commend the TPB for its principled leadership and commitment to regional collaboration. Working together, we can turn this pause into momentum and advance a stronger, more holistic solution that moves people and goods safely, reliably, and competitively for decades to come.
More About The Board of Trade:
The Greater Washington Board of Trade, founded in 1889, is the region’s premier non-partisan business organization representing industry, nonprofits, universities, and government agencies. The Board of Trade addresses complex and always-evolving business concerns that stretch across the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia, with a priority focus on inclusive economic growth, improving the business climate, and enhancing the region’s economic competitiveness. Learn more about the Board of Trade and its mission at www.boardoftrade.org.
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