Event Brings P3 Transportation Industry to Maryland for I-495 & I-270 Program

Linthicum Heights, MD – The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) today held an international industry forum at the Hilton BWI Airport Hotel for the I-495 and I-270 Public-Private Partnership (P3) Program, which is the largest initiative under Governor Larry Hogan’s Traffic Relief Plan (TRP). More than 550 transportation professionals attended.

Joined by firms from Maryland and around the world, MDOT Secretary Pete K. Rahn kicked off the forum with opening remarks about the program’s goals to deliver congestion relief through shockingly innovative solutions.

“Now is the time to be bold in addressing the region’s traffic congestion,” said Secretary Rahn.

The cost of congestion in the National Capital Region grew to nearly $1.3 billion in 2016. The cost will only continue to grow as the population in the region is expected to increase by

1.2 million by 2040. The state is already building the nation’s largest transit P3 and needs to match it with the nation’s largest highway P3 to provide real traffic relief to the region.

MDOT State Highway Administrator Greg Slater highlighted the plan to implement a “system of systems” and the value of a P3 approach to address Maryland’s traffic needs.

“Maryland has the second highest commuting times in the nation and the National Capital Region faces the nation’s worst congestion,” said Administrator Slater. “We need innovations to relieve congestion and we’re inviting the private industry to address the transportation challenges on Maryland’s most congested roads.”

The forum presentation included an overview of the I-495 and I-270 P3 Program, an update on the environmental process, an overview of the upcoming solicitation process for the first phase of the P3 Program, and discussion on minority and small business programs.

On average, travelers spend between 7 and 10 hours in traffic congestion on I-270 and I-495 respectively per day, creating a negative impact on the local economy and quality of life. In a recent survey, 83 percent of respondents reported that they “always” or “usually” experience a delay on these highways and 47 percent of respondents have experienced the additional cost of congestion, through missed doctor’s appointments and extra fees at daycare as an example. The congestion is only expected to get worse. In 2018, Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) on

I-270 from I-370 to I-495 is 259,000 vehicles a day and that number is expected to increase to 299,000 by 2040. On I-495, from the Virginia line to I-270, Average Annual Daily Traffic is 253,000 and that number is expected to increase to 282,000 by 2040.

As the largest effort under the TRP, the I-495 and I-270 P3 Program will deliver traffic relief as quickly and efficiently as possible along 44 miles of I-495 in Maryland and I-270 from I-495 to I-70. To meet these needs, an environmental study, known as the I-495 and I-270 Managed Lanes Study, is underway concurrent with the solicitation for the first phase of the P3 Program.

MDOT began the environmental study spring 2018 to look at opportunities to address congestion, improve trip reliability, and enhance existing and planned multimodal mobility and connectivity. Work continues for the alternatives retained for detailed study, with results displayed at public workshops in winter 2019. For additional information on the P3 Program or to sign up for updates, please visit the program website at 495-270-p3.com.