Drive Free on the ICC

The ICC's second segment opened to traffic at 6 a.m. today, just in time for holiday travel. The second segment stretches for 10 miles from Georgia Avenue in Montgomery County to I-95 in Prince George's County. It connects with the first segment of the ICC, from I-270/I-370 to Georgia Avenue, which opened to traffic in February. You can test drive the entire ICC from I-370 to I-95 at no cost through Sunday, Dec. 4, at midnight. The MDTA will electronically collect tolls on the ICC beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 5.

See the ICC and Do Good Too

The Maryland Transportation Authority has informed us of a rare opportunity to see a portion of the first segment of the Intercounty Connector (ICC) up close.

On October 17, you can travel it by foot during the ICC 5K Walk/Run, all while raising funds to support Special Olympics Maryland (SOMD). The Walk/Run begins at 9 a.m. and will take participants on an out-and-back course over paved travel lanes of the ICC, beginning at Shady Grove.

To register for this unique event or to sponsor a registered runner/walker, visit www.iccrun.org. Awards will be presented in various categories, and the first 500 registrants will receive a commemorative event t-shirt from SOMD. The entry fee is $25 during pre-registration and $30 on race day.

First Segment ICC Tolls Set

The Maryland Transportation Authority just let us know its toll schedule for the first 5.65-mile segment of the Intercounty Connector (ICC), and I am pleased that they listened to us and chose the lowest level cost to drivers. The first segment will run from I-370 at Shady Grove to Georgia Avenue near Rockville/Olney.

When the segment opens in late 2010/early 2011, drivers of cars and light trucks will pay $1.45 during peak hours, $1.15 during off-peak times and $0.60 during the overnight period. To learn more, visit the Maryland Transportation Authority’s Web site.

Our Views on the Proposed ICC Tolls

They are too high! We urge changes to the proposed toll structure for the Intercounty Connector in order to achieve its primary purpose--relieving congestion on nearby local streets. Today, my colleagues unanimously supported the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee’s three recommendations.

First, we believe the tolls should be lower than the proposed range of $0.25 to $0.35 per mile for peak periods and $0.20 to $0.30 per mile for off peak periods. We also think that phasing in the rates, rather than implementing the full toll once the first segment opens, will encourage drivers to start using the highway right away, and will help ease the pain.

Second, we encourage the State to offer a discount pass for frequent users, as is the case with other toll facilities in Maryland. Again, making the ICC a truly viable option for commuters and other heavy users is our best bet for congestion relief on our arterial roads.

Finally, we request that tolls be set so that exiting the highway at Georgia Avenue or Layhill Road will cost the same amount. This will discourage through-traffic in Longmead Crossing.

Representatives from the SHA attended today’s Council meeting and heard our recommendations. We will follow up with a formal letter to the SHA stressing our desire to make maximum use of the ICC and our recommendations for making that happen.

Council Agrees to Purchase Land in Burtonsville

Today, we as a full council approved the purchase of 52.9 acres of land as an addition to the Fairland Recreational Park. The Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee, of which I’m a member, had recommended this purchase (see my July 2 post). The parcel contains old growth forest more than 100 years old, as well as wetlands and bogs that will serve as a buffer for the nearby ICC. As I’ve said before, I think this is the best use of the money we received from the State as reimbursement of land used for the ICC, and I’m glad we were unanimous in this decision.

Park Expansion to Provide ICC Relief

I’m delighted that today my committee (the Council’s Planning Housing and Economic Development Committee) agreed that we should purchase 53 acres of land to expand the Fairland Recreational Park. We’ll pay for it with money the County received from the State as reimbursement for land used in construction of the Intercounty Connector. I can think of no better place to invest this money than in replacement parkland in the communities that are bearing the greatest impact of the highway project. The property being purchased lies just 1.5 miles north of the ICC, so this type of environmental mitigation is right on target.