Governor Larry Hogan has unveiled a $9billion plan to widen I-270, I-495, and the Baltimore Washington Parkway with a network of express toll lanes. The plan would involve adding approximately 100 miles of new lanes to the Beltway, I-270, and the Baltimore Washington Parkway. Private companies would begin submitting bids to build the new lanes within six months. The model would be similar to the express toll lanes used on the Virginia side of I-495.
The plan has drawn praise from tolling Companies and from AAA, but has been harshly criticized by "smart growth advocates" who favor transit, and from some members of the state legislature.
The plan will likely face numerous challenges before it proceeds. An environmental impact study would need to be performed, a vendor selected, and there will likely be court challenges before the plan can proceed.
=========== Governor's Press Release ===============
$9 Billion Traffic Relief Plan, Largest Highway P3 in North America RFI Released Today
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Delivering on his commitment to
provide innovative transportation solutions for Maryland, Governor Larry
Hogan today announced the administration’s plans to add four new lanes
to I-270, the Capital Beltway (I-495), and the Baltimore-Washington
Parkway (MD 295). The $9 billion Traffic Relief Plan for these three
major state highways will reduce congestion for millions of drivers and
mark the beginning of a historic and transformative effort to
significantly improve the traffic conditions on some of Maryland’s most
traveled roads and highways for years to come.
“
These three massive, unprecedented projects to widen I-495, I-270,
and MD 295 will be absolutely transformative, and they will help
Maryland citizens go about their daily lives in a more efficient and
safer manner,” said Governor Hogan. “
Today, we are turning Maryland’s
celebrated innovation into real action. These projects will
substantially and dramatically improve our state highway system and
traffic in the region.”
Joining the governor were Maryland Department of Transportation
(MDOT) Secretary Pete K. Rahn, MDOT State Highway Administrator Greg
Slater, Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Kevin
Reigrut, as well as elected officials and community and business
representatives from throughout the Baltimore-Washington region.
Today’s announcement officially begins the process to solicit the
Public-Private Partnership (P3) industry for input and solutions to
provide major congestion relief to these key transportation routes. With
the total project estimated value at $9 billion, the P3 portion to add
four new lanes on both I-495 and I-270 is the largest proposed P3
highway project in North America. The P3 will be seeking private
developers to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain new lanes on
I-495 between the American Legion Bridge and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
and on I-270 between I-495 and I-70. Once completed, the Traffic Relief
Plan will deliver new express toll lanes, in addition to existing lanes,
on I-495, I-270, and MD 295.
“
Using innovation and partnering with some of the greatest minds in
the world, Maryland is going to finally get some congestion relief by
investing $9 billion in three of the most congested highways in the
state,” said Secretary Rahn.
The first step to build new express toll lanes on MD 295 will begin
with the transfer of MD 295 from the U.S. Department of the Interior to
the Maryland Transportation Authority. Governor Hogan has already
personally started this process during a recent meeting with Interior
Secretary Ryan Zinke and has directed MDOT officials to move forward
with the transfer negotiations. Following the transfer, the Maryland
Transportation Authority would then build, operate, and maintain the new
lanes and maintain existing lanes between Baltimore and Washington,
D.C.
The Traffic Relief Plan announced today is critical to spurring
increased economic development and restoring quality of life for
countless Marylanders who have been negatively affected by years of
traffic congestion. Maryland has the second-longest commuting times in
the country, and the National Capital Region is the most congested
region in the nation based on annual delay and congestion cost per
auto-commuter. The statewide cost of congestion based on auto delay,
truck delay, and wasted fuel and emissions was estimated at $2 billion
in 2015. This is an increase of 22 percent from the $1.7 billion
estimated cost of congestion in 2013. More than 98 percent of the
weekday congestion cost was incurred in the Baltimore/Washington region.
In making this announcement today, Governor Hogan has directed MDOT
to issue the Request for Information to the P3 industry and continue the
transfer process with the U.S. Department of the Interior
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Do you agree with Governor Hogan's new Express Toll Lane plan?
(poll results may take a few moments to update)
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References:
Baltimore Sun: $9 billion highway project would widen 3 major Maryland roadways with toll lanes
WTOP: Hogan proposes $9B plan to add new lanes to Beltway, 270 and BW Parkway
