Public Workshops Scheduled for I-270, Capital Beltway Traffic Relief

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration will hold its second round of public workshops in July for the “I-495 & I-270 Managed Lanes Study,” which considers improvements along two of the state’s most congested highways, the Capital Beltway and I-270.

The study is part of MDOT SHA’s statewide Traffic Relief Plan to reduce congestion.

Two workshops will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Montgomery County:

Wednesday, July 25

Thomas W. Pyle Middle School

6311 Wilson Lane

Bethesda MD  20817

Wednesday, July 18

Clarksburg High School

22500 Wims Road

Clarksburg MD  20871

Two other open houses, also from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., will take place in Prince George’s County:

Tuesday, July 17

Eleanor Roosevelt High School

7601 Hanover Parkway

Greenbelt MD  20770

Tuesday, July 24

Central High School

200 Cabin Branch Road

Capitol Heights MD  20743

A virtual workshop also will be available on the program website http://www.495-270-p3.com starting July 17.

A preliminary range of alternatives to address congestion on the Beltway and I-270 has been developed based on feedback from the public at the open houses in April. During the open houses in July, SHA will present these alternatives and garner more comments from the public.

In March, SHA started the environmental study known as the “I-495 & I-270 Managed Lanes Study,” which includes the Maryland portion of the Beltway from the American Legion Bridge to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. It also includes I-270 from I-495 to I-370, including the east and west spurs of I-270.

This study is part of the larger I-495 and I-270 public-private partnership program, which will include a future study along I-270 from I-370 to I-70 beginning in 2019. Under the so-called P3, outside entities will design, build and maintain the highways in exchange for toll revenue.

Further technical analysis will be conducted through the fall on the alternatives carried forward from the July workshops.

All workshops related to the study will be accessible to persons with disabilities. Any person requiring special assistance, such as a language interpreter, should contact (833) 858-5960 or via email at 495-270-P3@sha.state.md.us at least 48 hours before the workshop.

The public is welcome to comment on-line at the study’s website (www.495-270-P3.com), via email at 495-270-P3@sha.state.md.us, or by hard copy during the workshops. Hard copy comments can also be mailed to the I-495 and I-270 P3 Office at the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, 707 N. Calvert St., Mail Stop P-601, Baltimore MD 21202.

About Staff Writer

View all posts by Staff Writer