The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has launched a new work group to investigate potential benefits to local transit agencies to inform the consideration of managed lanes on I-495 and I-270.
The work of the new Managed Lanes Transit Work Group will focus on Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties, alongside Washington, D.C. They want to get transit riders moving quicker, and they have $14.2 billion in transit and $10.6 billion in highway capital and operating investments to see it done over the next six years. These lanes could also provide more reliability for bus routes and buses in general, speedier and more efficient access and connectivity to the Metrorail, MARC and Purple Line Stations, as well as greater options for access to activity and employment centers.
“The goal is to keep cars, trucks, and buses moving in the free lanes and the new managed lanes,” MDOT Secretary Pete Rahn said. “Today’s discussion with transit experts throughout the Capital Region kicks off the new transit work group to maximize how to create the greatest synergy in a truly interconnected transit/highway system.”
The study will begin on I-495, south of Virginia’s George Washington Memorial Parkway. That study will stretch west beyond MD 5 and reach across I-270, to I-370 and the I-270 spurs. Presently, MDOT reports that I-270 alone faces around seven hours of daily congestion, while I-495 faces 10 hours of daily congestion. These mark some of the highest commuting times in the country.
“While we regularly partner with agencies in the region, this work group gives us a great opportunity to collaborate on ways to integrate better access to transit and improvements to transit into a managed lane project,” MDOT Maryland Transit Administrator Kevin Quinn said. “Integrating transit opportunities into highway projects is key to meeting the comprehensive needs of the region.”