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Hogan reveals $9B plan to widen I-270, Capital Beltway, B-W Parkway

Posted at 1:19 PM, Sep 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-22 06:26:46-04

Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan, has announced a $9 billion plan to widen Interstate 270, the Capital Beltway and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway in the suburbs of the nation's capital.

Hogan said Thursday, the work on the three major state highways will reduce congestion for millions of drivers.

"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."

Maryland has the second-longest commuting times in the county, and the National Capital Region is the most congested region in the nation, according to annual delay and congestion cost per person driving.

The Hogan administration is calling the plan to add four lanes on both I-495 and I-270, the largest proposed public-private partnership in North America. 

Joining the governor was the Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary, Pete Rahn. 

"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 state will be seeking private developers to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the 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.

The first step of the plan is to build new express toll lanes on MD 295, which will begin the transfer of MD 295 from the U.S. Department of the Interior to the Maryland Transportation Authority. 

Following the transfer, the Maryland Transportation Authority will build, operate, and maintain the new - and existing lanes, between Baltimore and D.C.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.