The largest stretch of Maryland’s Intercounty Connector opens Tuesday, linking Interstate 270 in Montgomery County to Interstate 95 in Prince George’s County for the first time. Officials expect tens of thousands of vehicles to use the highway in its first weeks as holiday travelers take advantage of the “test drive” period that allows them to ride the highway toll-free until Dec. 4.
“We really did make a final push to get this open before the Thanksgiving holiday, knowing that it’s the biggest travel weekend of the year,” ICC project spokesman Ray Feldmann said. “We thought that it would be a great benefit to people, especially those going to [Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall] airport.”
Officials are warning residents that roads connecting to the ICC may be crowded in the coming weeks, including New Hampshire Avenue, Route 29 and Briggs Chaney Road. Officials are promising that the ICC could cut commuting times from Laurel to Gaithersburg by half an hour.
About 31,000 drivers used the ICC’s first segment from I-270 to Georgia Avenue when it opened in February, and Feldmann said traffic could be even heavier on the new section, which has five entrance and exit ramps — three more than the first section.
After Dec. 4, tolls on the highway will be $4 for E-ZPass users traveling the full length of the road. Drivers without E-ZPass face new penalties, paying 150 percent the original toll after getting a bill in the mail.
The ICC opening comes after more than 50 years of opposition from environmental and citizens groups concerned that the highway would damage rural ecosystems and contribute to smog and development sprawl.
(3-11-11)
