VPP Projects Involving Tolls
Category: Systemwide Pricing

Project - MARYLAND: Feasibility of Value Pricing

In the 2001 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly directed the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) to examine the potential for variable pricing strategies in highway project planning; and include such strategies in metropolitan and statewide transportation planning to boost transportation efficiency and equity, expand travel choices, and reduce emissions. In June 2001, former Governor Parris N. Glendening decided to remove consideration of High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes from Maryland transportation plans. The former Governor's decision was based on the perceived inequity of linking an easier commute with a person's ability to pay.

In 2003, FHWA and the Maryland Department of Transportation amended the Cooperative Agreement to undertake a feasibility study to evaluate implementing HOT lanes on I-270 from I-495 (Capital Beltway) to I-70 (Frederick County).

Study Completed

In 2008, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) continued the feasibility study assessing managed lanes on I-270 from the I-270/I-370 interchange in Gaithersburg to I-495 (Capital Beltway), and along I-495 to just north of the Dulles Toll Road in Virginia. The study limits connect the Intercounty Connector, a planned toll-lane facility between I-95 and I-270, with Virginia's I-495 HOT Lanes project. The project team is preparing a draft feasibility report describing the operations, costs and impacts of short-term, mid-term, and long-term alternatives. The short-term alternatives include small improvements that could improve existing congestion points and be implemented within 2-4 years. The mid-term alternatives provide system wide improvements, including priced lanes, which stay within the existing highway typical section and could be implemented within 5-10 years. The long-term improvements include highway widening and interchange reconstruction, along with priced lanes, to increase overall corridor capacity and improve highway function. These improvements could be implemented beyond the next 10 years. The SHA expects to receive and review the draft feasibility report in mid-2008.

For More Information Contact

Michael J. Haley
Chief of Regional & Intermodal Planning
Maryland State Highway Administration
Phone: (410) 545-5675 or 1-888-204-4828
E-mail: mhaley@sha.state.md.us

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