At least for one day, sailing was smooth on the brand new InterCounty Connector, and plenty of people took the toll highway for a free test drive.
The Maryland Transportation Authority reports that more than 36,500 motorists traveled the road on Wednesday, the first day the new highway was open to the public.
The number easily eclipses the 21,000 car total officials estimated would use the highway once it’s open. However, the high total was due in part to the novelty of the new road as commuters rushed to test it out while it’s free, according to MdTA spokesman Kelly Melhem.
Drivers must begin paying tolls for traveling the ICC on March 7. To drive the 5.6-mile segment, which connects I-370 with Norbeck Road in Olney, motorists will need an E-ZPass to pay the $1.65 toll.
It will be months until officials will begin to notice accurate patterns on the highway after the tolls are activated, Melhem said.
