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Maryland Projects and Public Involvement I-495 (Capital Beltway)| I-270| I-95 (section 100)| I-695 (Baltimore Beltway)
The purpose of the Capital Beltway Study is to improve regional mobility, provide increased safety, maximize travel operational efficiencies, and address current and forecasted travel demand in the Capital Beltway corridor, while supporting the area's economic growth and the environment. In April 2000, SHA presented a range of highway and transit alternates for consideration including the addition of HOV lanes. Since that time, however, the project direction has changed and the project team is currently evaluating the potential use of Express Toll Lanes on the Capital Beltway. Open Houses on Express Toll Lanes and Their Proposed Use on the Capital Beltway were held on May 17 and 18, 2004 in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, respectively. The meetings were held in an “open house” format with project displays on Express Toll Lanes (ETL) and on the Capital Beltway Study. Comments covered a broad range of topics associated with the material presented as well as with other transportation projects in the vicinity, i.e., the InterCounty Connector (ICC) and the Bi-County (Purple Line) Transitway studies. To download and view the Express Toll Lanes Display Boards, which were shared at the I-495 (Capital Beltway) public meetings, please open any of the relevant links below. Why We Are Considering Express Toll Lanes Why We Need Express Toll Lanes Map of Severe and Heavily Congested Freeways Why We Need Express Toll Lanes Benefits of Express Toll Lanes - Board 1, Board 2 Managing Congestion Success Stories I-15 Display Board (San Diego, CA) SR 91 Express Lanes (Orange County, CA) Queue Jump Project (Lee County, FL) Express Toll Lanes in Maryland For more information, go to www.marylandroads.com, and view the projects of interest. I-270 In response to existing and projected growth within the corridor, the purpose of the I-270/US 15 Multi-Modal Corridor Study is to address congestion, increase mobility and improve safety along the I-270/US15 Corridor. If nothing is done, transportation congestion, traffic operations and safety conditions will worsen, with many roadways and intersections being forced to handle more volume than the current capacity allows, thus substantially increasing travel times. In June 2002, SHA/MTA held two Public Hearings at which they presented a range of combined highway and transit alternates for consideration. The highway portion of the alternates included the addition of HOV lanes, general-purpose lanes and extension of the existing collector-distributor lanes. The transit portion of the alternates included the 14 mile + Corridor Cities Transitway (as either Light Rail Transit (LRT) or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)) or the use of Express Buses on the HOV lanes. Since the hearings, however, the project direction has been modified and the project team is currently evaluating the potential use of Express Toll Lanes on I-270. Public outreach efforts with community and civic associations will continue, along with Informational Workshops in order to educate the public on Express Toll Lanes and their potential affect on the I-270 corridor. To download and view the Express Toll Lane Display Boards from the Public Workshops held in 2004, please open any of the relevant links below. Express Toll Lanes: An Alternative to Congestion Express Toll Lanes: Managing Congestion Success Stories Express Toll Lanes in Maryland HOV, HOT and ETL Lanes: What are the Differences? Express Toll Lane Concepts for I-270 For more information, go to www.marylandroads.com, and view the projects of interest.
The purpose of the Section 100 Project is to address capacity and safety needs on Section 100 and thereby improve access, mobility, and safety for local, regional, and inter-regional traffic, including passenger, freight, and transit vehicles. Section 100 is currently the most congested section of I-95 in Maryland north of Baltimore City. The Authority held a Public Workshop on November 18, 2003 at the Perry Hall Middle School. The purpose of the workshop was to acquaint the public with the need for the project and present the status of the Section 100 Project as of that date. At the workshop, the preliminary alternates were introduced. The alternates included the No-Build Alternate, General Purpose Lanes Alternate, and Managed Lanes Alternate. The Express Toll Lanes concept is a management strategy being considered under the Managed Lanes alternate. On June 29, 2004, the Maryland Transportation Authority (Authority) held a Public Hearing for the I-95 Section 100 project at the Perry Hall Middle School, Baltimore County, MD. Approximately 100 people were in attendance, of which 3 citizens gave public testimony, which was recorded by a court reporter, and 40 citizens commented on the Section 100 project after the Public Hearing (including comment cards received at the hearing, letters and emails, and phone calls). (information as of July 20, 2004). Since the public meetings, the I-95 Section 100 study was finalized and construction for the project has begun. The project includes the addition of two managed Express Toll Lanes in each direction on I-95 within this project area. Construction is anticipated for completion in 2011. For more information on this project, open the I-95 Section Web Page.
For more information, go to www.marylandroads.com, and view the projects of interest. |