ICC Speed Limit to Increase

The MD Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced today, Feb 4 that following extensive engineering and crash analyses, it is increasing the posted speed limit on the Intercounty Connector (ICC)/MD 200 from 55 mph to 60 mph.

“We began our engineering study full force in mid 2012, but as I’ve said all along, we
needed one year of ICC operations to conclude that raising the speed limit is the safe and prudent decision,” said MDTA Executive Secretary Harold M. Bartlett. “We are confident that a 60 mph speed limit is safe and justifiable based on the design speed and geometry of the roadway, as well as on the speed most motorists are comfortable traveling the ICC.”

The decision comes after marrying results of MDTA’s engineering study and crash analysis. With the crash analysis, traffic engineers examined vehicular crashes for the ICC’s first year of operations between I-270 and I-95. The analysis helped the MDTA confirm that the speed limit may be safely raised to 60 mph.

“This is a win for everyone and will certainly please the growing number of drivers who regularly travel the ICC,” said Senator Jennie Forehand. “I appreciate the MDTA stepping up last year in studying this issue and maintaining their commitment to safety the entire time.”

The MDTA anticipates the 60 mph speed limit will become effective on the ICC by
March 31. New warning signs for curves will also be added. Drivers traveling the ICC from end to and may save approximately 1 ½ minutes of travel time with the speed increase.

Designed for 60 mph, the ICC has vertical and horizontal constraints along its length. To reduce environmental impacts, the ICC’s footprint was minimized, leading to these geometric constraints and the lower design speed.

The engineering study and crash analysis are available at mdta.maryland.gov.

Follow the MDTA at twitter.com/TheMDTA and facebook.com/TheMDTA.

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