Neighborhoods and transit advocates clash over Route 29 BRT funding; call for more bus‑priority spending

Multiple neighborhood leaders and transit advocates testified Feb. 9 that the council should not approve funding for a $115–116 million median bus rapid transit (BRT) lane along US‑29 without a required corridor hearing and further impact analysis.

Sharon Canavan, president of the Northwood Four Corners Civic Association, said the CIP request for funds to build a dedicated median lane is premature because the council has not held the corridor hearing required by the countywide transit corridors functional master plan. "A managed lane alternative is more cost effective, less disruptive, and will serve more public transportation options," she said.

Nick Brady, president of the Woodmoor Pinecrest Citizens Association, also urged rejecting the median lane funding and asked that the council require a comprehensive study of impacts to neighborhoods and businesses; he cited prior MCDOT work that recommended a managed‑lane alternative.

Transit advocates including Michael Larkin (Action Committee for Transit) and Bill Pugh (Coalition for Smarter Growth) urged the council to prioritize bus frequency and small, targeted bus‑priority projects rather than large new highway‑scale capital expenditures. "Bus priority program funding is woeful," Larkin said, noting the CIP would hold the bus‑priority program flat while proposing millions for highway extensions.

Accessibility advocates raised related concerns: Jake Goodman, who relies on public transit, called for a thorough accessibility audit of bus stops countywide to fix missing sidewalks, curb cuts, shelters and lighting that make some stops inaccessible for riders with disabilities.

No vote on the corridor funding occurred at the hearing. Speakers asked the council to schedule the corridor hearing required by the master plan and to consider redirecting funds to bus frequency, sidewalks near schools and a bus depot to support a growing electric fleet.