In Fall 2017, Governor Hogan announced that a public-private partnership (P3) would add toll lanes to I-495 and I-270. For communities along I-270, the risks quickly became clear. Early on, the State trotted out a laundry list of alternatives for addressing rush-hour congestion. But it was obvious from the start that the State’s “preferred alternative” was to widen I-270 by adding multiple toll lanes.
The project has been a fiasco from the start. Public opinion is ignored. Environmental Impact Statement findings are glossed over. Planners can’t even pause long enough to consider how the ongoing pandemic might alter commuting patterns well into the future.
At this moment, the first actual contract for the P3 is on the table: the “pre-development” contract. The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced they selected Accelerate Maryland Partners, LLC as the Phase Developer for Phase 1, which includes the American Legion Bridge (ALB) and I-270. Accelerate Maryland Partners is a consortium of companies controlled by Transurban, the Australian firm that developed the network of toll lanes in Northern Virginia.
So, 3-plus years into the P3 saga, what do we know? And what don’t we know? How might the P3 affect our homes, our environment, our wallets, and the quality of our lives?
New to the dontwiden270.org website is a section with questions and answers (Q&A’s) that will address some of these questions. Please send your questions to contactdontwiden270@gmail.com; we’ll be adding and updating as we get more information.
A few of the questions in the new Q&A section are as follows. Check the website for the answers to these and other questions.
The I-495 & I-270 P3 Program
Long ago, we were told that no properties would be taken along I-270 and that most changes would fall within the existing footprint. Is that still the case?
MDOT recently announced a “Phase I Developer” to oversee preliminary development work on the American Legion Bridge and I-270. What does that entail?
Do our elected representatives in the General Assembly have any role in approving or rejecting this toll-lane contract?
What about the courts? Are any lawsuits in the works?
How much would the tolls be? How is the toll range determined?
What is the projected timeline for Phase 1?
Action Item
What can I do to stop the predevelopment project from moving forward?
Right now, you can write to Comptroller Peter Franchot, the deciding vote on the Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW). Please write Comptroller Franchot if you haven't written him yet and write him again if you have previously contacted him.MDOT must obtain approval from the BPW for a contract with the Phase Developer. For the project to move forward, two of the three BPW members must approve the agreement.
Write Comptroller Franchot at pfranchot@comp.state.md.us and tell him that Maryland taxpayers could be stuck with hundreds of millions of dollars in expenses and future costs. Refer to our February 7 newsletter for more information on financial concerns. Be sure to say that no P3 agreement should be approved by the BPW until the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) is completed.
Please Support our Partner
Our valued partner, the Maryland Transit Opportunities Coalition (MTOC) is a unique center of technical and policy expertise on transit and equitable transportation and provides us with insight to give you accurate information, including answers to the questions on our new Q&A website section. To make a donation of any size, online or by check, follow this link: https://transitformaryland.org/contribute. Thank you!