Governor Wes Moore:

On Thursday, March 9, 2023 Accelerate Maryland Partners (AM Partners) terminated the Phase Public-Private Partnership (P3) Agreement for Phase 1 of Op Lanes Maryland. The termination of the Phase P3 Agreement has no bearing on the approved federal Record of Decision for Phase 1 South or the state's commitment to addressing congestion issues affecting the region.
Because AM Partners executed its contractual right to not proceed, MDOT does not owe any payment to AM Partners. The state remains committed to continuing progress and will move forward in a manner that ensures social equity, environmental protection, and engagement with local partners while always acting in the best interest of taxpayers.

Lt. Governor Aruna Miller:

While Accelerate Maryland Partners has decided to terminate the Phase Public-Private Partnership (P3) Agreement for Phase 1 of Op Lanes Maryland, Governor Moore's and my priority will continue to be delivering a balanced and equitable solution to address traffic congestion along the I-270/I-495 corridor.

MDOT Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld:

On Thursday March 9, 2023, Accelerate Maryland Partners executed its contractual right to terminate its contract with the Maryland Department of Transportation for failure to agree on the terms of the Section P3 Agreement. MDOT is committed to delivering a new American Legion Bridge and transportation solutions that relieve traffic congestion throughout this corridor and promote equity and environmental protection. I look forward to connecting with the community and all stakeholders to understand their priorities firsthand to deliver solutions that advance the entire National Capital Region.

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Approval of the ROD marks the final milestone in a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process that spanned more than four years and included 16 public workshops and seven public hearings with extended public comment periods.

For more information about the ROD and Phase 1 South, please read the press release or visit OpLanesMD.com/ROD.

This content was originally shared via Op Lanes Maryland’s e-mail distribution list on August 25, 2022.

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FEIS Analysis Results

With regard to traffic analysis, Phase 1 South would improve operations and reduce congestion delays on most sections where improvements are proposed, and on the larger roadway system by:

• reducing system-wide delay for the entire study area by 13% during the AM peak period and by 38% during the PM peak period;
• improving travel speeds in existing general purpose lanes and in managed lanes;
• creating new opportunities for regional transit bus service;
• providing new/upgraded pedestrian and bicycle improvements, including a direct connection to the shared-use path from the bridge to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath.

On I-495, the Preferred Alternative would include two new High Occupancy Toll (HOT) managed lanes in each direction from south of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Fairfax County, VA, to west of MD 187, (Old Georgetown Road) in Montgomery County, MD.

On I-270, the alternative would convert the existing high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction to a HOT managed lane and add one new HOT managed lane in each direction on I-270 from I-495 to north of I-370, and on the I-270 east and west spurs. No action or no improvements would be included at this time on I-495 east of the I-270 east spur to MD 5.

The FEIS reflects changes to the Preferred Alternative using input from more than 5,000 public comments on the DEIS and SDEIS. More than 200 meetings were held to gather input in addition to 16 public workshops and seven public hearings with established public comment periods.

For a detailed review of the Phase 1 South analysis and benefits, please see
our press release.

FEIS Document Availability

The FEIS and Section 4(f) documents are available at OpLanesMD.com/FEIS. Hard copies of the FEIS and Section 4(f), as well as electronic copies of FEIS technical reports, will be available at multiple library locations in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, as well as one in Fairfax County, Virginia and one in Washington, D.C. For a list of these locations, please visit OpLanesMD.com/FEIS.

After an availability period for the FEIS, it is anticipated the FHWA will issue a Record of Decision (ROD), identifying this Study's Selected Alternative. Selection will be based on consideration of the range of reasonable alternatives, efforts to avoid and minimize impacts, and final mitigation measures designed to address potential environmental impacts. The ROD would conclude the NEPA process and document the commitments to be carried forth during final design and construction.

This content was originally shared via Op Lanes Maryland's e-mail distribution list on June 17, 2022.

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With Phase 1 South of the New American Legion Bridge I-270 Traffic Relief Plan there will be plenty of options for you to travel through the National Capital Region. The choice is yours!

Choose to travel for free

Don't want to pay a toll? Here's what you can do instead.

1. Carpool or vanpool. If you have 3 or more people in your vehicle, you'll be able to ride in the HOT lanes for FREE, for even faster, more reliable travel.

2. Use the existing general-purpose lanes that are there today. These lanes will remain free for everyone and will get you where you need to go with less delay once the new HOT lanes are added.

3. Walk or bike. With a new shared use path across the American Legion Bridge and improved bicycle and pedestrian connections, you'll be able to walk or bike to places that never had these safe connections before!

Choose to take transit

If you use transit, the addition of HOT lanes will even provide the opportunity for a more reliable bus trip with free-flowing traffic. Plus, buses won't pay a toll, so all it will cost you is your transit fare to benefit from the HOT lanes. This new travel opportunity will pave the way for more efficient regional transit service using the new HOT lanes to connect key transit centers.

Choose to pay a toll

You'll also have the option to pay a toll for more reliable travel when you need it most. Many motorists choose to use HOT lanes for a business opportunity or personal life event that they would miss otherwise due to congestion.

For those who choose to use the HOT lanes, the cost will vary based on time of day and traffic levels.

This content was originally shared via Op Lanes Maryland’s e-mail distribution list on April 8, 2022.

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We welcome the opportunity to have your community learn more about plans to deliver a new American Legion Bridge, more reliable trip times on I-495 and I-270, improved transit options, bike, and pedestrian connections, and new jobs.

We are scheduling virtual briefings with associations in your area. If you would like to schedule a virtual meeting please contact Cathy Smith, the Op Lanes Maryland P3 Office Community Liaison, to set up a date and time for our team to meet with you and your neighbors. Please click on the button below to schedule a briefing for your community

Schedule a Briefing

Additional Ways to Connect with Op Lanes Maryland

• Sign up to receive Op Lanes Maryland email updates
• To reach out with a question or input for the Op Lanes Maryland team:
  • Send an email to oplanesmd@mdot.maryland.gov
  • Call us at 833-858-5960

We look forward to briefing your community on the project, hearing your input, and addressing any questions you and your neighbors might have.

This content was originally shared via Op Lanes Maryland’s e-mail distribution list on March 11, 2022.

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Not only will the American Legion Bridge I-270 Traffic Relief Plan reduce congestion by delivering a new, wider American Legion Bridge; but it will also deliver a new shared-use path connecting bicycle and pedestrian facilities on each side of the Potomac River, providing new opportunities for walking, hiking and biking between Maryland and Virginia that do not exist today.

New and upgraded sidewalks, bike paths and bike lanes will also be provided to connect communities and transit, remove barriers at interchanges, and address local priorities and plans. Some examples include new buffer-separated paths across MD 190 (River Road) and a wider path along Seven Locks Road in Cabin John.

Buses and vehicles with three or more people will be able to travel the new High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes for free, reducing dependence on single-occupant vehicles and providing opportunities for faster, more-reliable bus transit service, carpooling, and vanpooling throughout the region. The New American Legion Bridge I-270 Traffic Relief Plan will also improve regional transit facilities such as expanded bus capacity at Shady Grove Metro and expanded park-and-ride facilities.

Additional Vision Zero/pedestrian and bicycle safety and transit improvements will be developed during the predevelopment work, and MDOT will continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders and local community members to make sure the New American Legion Bridge I-270 Traffic Relief Plan benefits all users.

This content was originally shared via Op Lanes Maryland’s e-mail distribution list on February 25, 2022.

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Want to meet us and learn about Op Lanes Maryland? We’re developing our Spring/Summer Events calendar! Check our upcoming events page for opportunities to connect with Op Lanes Maryland.

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