FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NOV. 29, 2001
CONTACT: Ken Reid, 301/770-5553 or Tom Reinheimer (number above)

67% OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY RESIDENTS WANT 2ND POTOMAC RIVER CROSSING, SURVEY BY U.S. REP. CONNIE MORELLA SHOWS; OFFICIALS URGED TO SUPPORT NEW STUDY OF 'TECHWAY' OPTIONS

POTOMAC, MD -- A survey by U.S. Rep. Connie Morella (R-Maryland District 8) shows that 67% of Montgomery County residents support construction of a second Potomac River crossing, leading a growing citizens group today to call upon Congresswoman Morella and other elected officials to restart studies of "Techway" options.

Morella, whose district comprises about 3/4 of Montgomery County, mailed 292,090 surveys with her Spring 2001 newsletter, according to figures provided to Marylanders for a Second Crossing Inc., an all-volunteer group largely comprising Montgomery County residents. About 8,100 responded.

The question Ms. Morella posed was neutral: "Do you support a new Potomac River crossing?" noted "M2X" co-chair Ken Reid of North Bethesda. "She did not ask whether folks supported a Techway, or a wider bridge at Point of Rocks, or even studies of new bridges, but a new Potomac River crossing," Reid noted.

"The results are pretty much in line with what polls based on random sampling have reported," said Tom Reinheimer of Germantown, also co-chair of M2X. "This should put the politicians on notice that people not only support the study of new river crossings, but the actual construction of a new bridge. Results of other polls can be found on the M2X Web site -- www.trafficstinks.org

In the same survey, Morella polled her constituents on other issues such as whether there should be oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. On that question -- "Do you support oil exploration in the Alaska Wildlife Refuge?"-- only 36% said yes and 64% said no.

"This means that Montgomery County residents, who are concerned about the environment, don't buy the argument that a new bridge is going to wreak environmental damage," Reinheimer added.

Reinheimer and Reid reiterated their call for Morella and other Maryland officials to support a new study of the "Techway," perhaps co-sponsored by the Maryland and Virginia Departments of Transportation. They said it was ashame the Congresswoman and other members of the Maryland and Virginia delegations have done nothing to revive the Techway study that Rep. Frank Wolf killed in May, out of fear of wealthy campaign contributors in his district.

"Maybe the only poll the politicians will understand will be next November when voters throw them out of office," Reinheimer added. "But this poll today is just another wake-up call that Montgomery County residents want real action on traffic congestion."

Congresswoman Morella's Capitol Hill office is -- (202) 225 - 5341