Hogan outlines $100M effort to cut congestion on I-270

POTOMAC, Md. — Standing just off Interstate 270 near the Montrose Road interchange, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan outlined his $100 million plan to relieve congestion on the busy commuter route.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (center) outlined his $100 million plan to ease congestion on Interstate 270 in Montgomery County. He was joined by Montgomery County Executive Isiah "Ike" Leggett (left) and Maryland State Highway Administration Greg Slater. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (center) outlined his $100 million plan to ease congestion on Interstate 270 in Montgomery County. He was joined by Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett (left) and Maryland State Highway Administration Greg Slater. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
The project to widen Interstate 270 near the Montrose Road interchange will add 23 new lane miles of roads, and could shave up to 30 minutes from some drivers’ morning commutes, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
The project to widen Interstate 270 near the Montrose Road interchange will add 23 new lane miles of roads, and could shave up to 30 minutes from some drivers' morning commutes, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
“The project will help break 14 different bottlenecks on 270,” Hogan said. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
The project to widen Interstate 270 near the Montrose Road interchange will add 23 new lane miles of roads and more than 25 real-time traffic communication devices. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
Among the changes will be the addition of “metered ramps” — ramps where traffic lights will stop and start traffic in sync with sensors along I-270 to “flush” cars lined up on the on-ramps. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
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Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (center) outlined his $100 million plan to ease congestion on Interstate 270 in Montgomery County. He was joined by Montgomery County Executive Isiah "Ike" Leggett (left) and Maryland State Highway Administration Greg Slater. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
The project to widen Interstate 270 near the Montrose Road interchange will add 23 new lane miles of roads, and could shave up to 30 minutes from some drivers' morning commutes, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
The project to widen Interstate 270 near the Montrose Road interchange will add 23 new lane miles of roads and more than 25 real-time traffic communication devices. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
Speaking above the constant roar of traffic, Hogan said the project, which could start this spring and wrap up in 2019, won’t be a cure-all, but will make a difference.

“The project will help break 14 different bottlenecks on 270,” he said.

“It will add 23 new lane miles of roads, more than 25 real-time traffic communication devices and more than 30 intelligent signals.”

According to data supplied by the Maryland State Highway Administration, the plan could save a commuter whose drive starts between I-70 in Frederick and Father Hurley Boulevard in Germantown, as much as 30 minutes during the morning commute.

“That’s 130 more hours each year, or more than three entire workweeks freed up from sitting in traffic,” Hogan said.

Among the changes, adding “metered ramps” — ramps where traffic lights will stop and start traffic in sync with sensors along I-270 to “flush” cars lined up on the on-ramps.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett thanked the governor for the investment represented by the project, but took the opportunity to remind Hogan — who is running for re-election — that in Leggett’s words, Montgomery County is the “economic engine of Maryland.”

Montgomery County Council President Roger Berliner also spoke at the event. On Monday, he told reporters that at first blush, the I-270 project appeared to be a way to relieve congestion “on the cheap.”

Taking the podium after Leggett spoke Wednesday morning, Berliner said, “Governor, investments in Montgomery County are good investments.”

“My hope and the hope of my colleagues is that this the beginning of the story, not the end of the story.”

Berliner has favored installing reversible HOT lanes from Clarksburg all the way down to the American Legion Bridge as a way of easing congestion.

Transit advocates have slammed the plan.

“Widening I-270 was tried 20 years ago, and it failed,” said Ben Ross with the Action Committee for Transit attended Wednesday’s event. “We need real solutions like real MARC trains,” a reference to the Maryland commuter rail system that runs to Western Maryland and Baltimore City out of Union Station.

Disappointed, Ross said, “It sounds like most of the money’s going for asphalt.”

Anthony Garland, international representative with the Amalgamated Transit Union, also attended the event.

“We don’t oppose the governor’s ideas in regards to improving 270, but we would like the governor to incorporate transit in that initiative,” he said.

Garland said that could include adding bus rapid transit to the commuter corridor.

“Public transit is the true friend to relieving some of the congestion here,” he said.

Some of the features of the governor’s plan:

Extending merge lanes at the following points:

  • Md. 80 (southbound)
  • Md. 109 (southbound)
  • Md. 121 to Comus Road (northbound)

Adding exit lane:

  • I-270 (southbound) I-370 Exit

Continuous flow lane:

  • I-270 SB HOV to I-495 (westbound)

New third local lane:

  • Md. 124 to new Watkins Mill Road interchange (northbound)
  • Shady Grove Road to South of Gude Drive (southbound)
  • Md. 28 to Md. 189 (northbound and southbound)
  • Md. 189 to Montrose Road (southbound)

Kate Ryan

As a member of the award-winning WTOP News, Kate is focused on state and local government. Her focus has always been on how decisions made in a council chamber or state house affect your house. She's also covered breaking news, education and more.

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