Maryland Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) and Virginia Gov. Ralph S. Northam (D) in 2019, announcing plans to replace the American Legion Bridge connecting their two states. Photo by Bruce DePuyt.
Transportation advocates and business interests in the national capital region have long dreamed of extending Northern Virginia’s Beltway toll lanes across the Potomac River and into Montgomery County — preferably using the commonwealth’s established vendor, Transurban.
That dream is a huge step closer to reality following the Maryland Department of Transportation’s selection last week of Accelerate Maryland Partners, a consortium led by Transurban, to do “predevelopment” work on its Capital Beltway (Interstate 495)/I-270 road widening project.
It also brought expressions of cynicism from opponents of MDOT’s plans.
Virginia officials embraced the concept of variably-priced “express lanes,” in which motorists willing to pay for the privilege can buy their way out of congestion, more than a decade ago.
