Traffic in Suburban Maryland is consistently ranked as one of the worst in the country. Our neighbors in Northern Virginia have invested billions of dollars in their state’s transportation and infrastructure improvements. These improvements have resulted in businesses relocating and higher paying jobs for citizens. Maryland has not made these improvements. We have fallen behind.
Maryland now has a plan, the Maryland New American Legion Bridge/I-270 Traffic Relief Plan. Having this plan implemented will result in economic growth for Montgomery, Prince George’s and Frederick counties. The plan would rely on private funding to create two congestion-managed lanes in each direction of the Capital Beltway (I-495) and I-270. These lanes will relieve congestion, improve transit services, incentivize carpooling and allow commuters to save time and money.
There are two proposed phases for this plan. Phase 1 South will alleviate travel by improving travel times and reducing delays, therefore improving the movement of people and goods and reducing traffic off of local roads in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Washington, DC.
In Phase 1 South two new High Occupancy Toll (HOT) managed lanes will be added on I-495 in each direction within the Phase 1 determined area. This will convert the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) managed lane on I-270 into a HOT lane and will add another HOT lane providing commuters with a consistent two HOT lane option throughout this region.
Phase 1 North is currently in the beginning stages of a planning study.
