The influx of more than 10,000 households with the Base Realignment and Closure at Aberdeen Proving Ground by 2012 had some bearing on the expansion of Interstate 95 near White Marsh, according to one Maryland Transportation Authority official.
“Traffic has grown, and it continues to grow along the interstate,” said Dave LaBella, MdTA project manager.
“And we needed to do something while trying to manage the traffic the best we could.”
Four new express toll lanes will be added to a 10-mile stretch between the Interstate 895 split and north of Route 43 at White Marsh Boulevard. Construction began in 2006 and is expected to be completed in 2011.
“The ETLs will allow motorists to travel at higher legal speeds in relatively congestion-free traffic,” LaBella said.
The toll payments could be made available about six months to one year prior to the lanes? opening, with motorists possibly paying more during the morning and evening rush hours, MdTA spokeswoman Teri Moss said.
The tolls, two in each direction of I-95, will be collected through an electronic collections process similar to the E-Z Pass system, she said.
Tolls collected from the express lanes will be used to operate and maintain all seven of MdTA?s toll facilities.
“The MdTA does not use federal dollars, so tolls collected do not go to the federal government or its transportation funding,” LaBella said.
He also said the additional tolls are no sign that MdTA is bracing for any kind of agency cuts. But MdTA “is trying to tighten its belt when it comes to spending,” said LaBella.
Projected costs for the I-95 expansion have been between $900 million and $1 billion, with funding from the MdTA?s seven existing toll facilities and bond holders covering construction.
Expanding I-95
Expansion of Interstate 95 includes:
» Widening the Rossville Boulevard bridge over I-95
» Widening the Cowenton Avenue and Joppa Road bridges
» Reconstruction of I-95 interchanges at Interstate 895, Interstate 695 and Route 43
» The I-95 Express Toll Lanes project is the first of four projects on the 50-mile Kennedy Highway.
Source: Maryland Transportation Authority
