The I-270 corridor currently carries a range of 79,400 - 261,200 vehicles each day. Given the rapid development of the region, by 2030, these traffic volumes are projected to increase to 107,000 - 290,00 vehicles. The State of Maryland is actively exploring significant infrastructure improvements focused on transforming this busy interstate to reduce traffic congestion, support goals of conservation, promote economic development, and enhance quality of life for local residents.
On January 8, 2020, the Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) voted to advance the competitive solicitation process for a new public-private partnership concept. The plan would add toll lanes to complement existing lanes which would remain free. Through the partnership, developer and private funding would pay for the project in exchange for a share of the revenue generated by the tolls.
The first section to be delivered under Phase 1 of the project would be along I-495 from south of the George Washington Parkway to I-270, and along I-270 from I-495 to I-370. The remaining phases -including extensions to Frederick— would be solicited at a later date.
For now, the approval by the State’s BPW allows the solicitation process to move forward for a Phase Developer to assist the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) with preliminary development and design activities only. The initial approval by the BPW does not authorize final design or construction.
With plans not final, alternative improvement concepts — ranging from promoting commuter bus ridership to the installation of a monorail system (as seen in the video below) continue to receive advocacy and review.
Interested in learning more? Stay up to date with the status of the I-495 & I-270 Program here.