Study: Maryland interstates among country’s most congested

WASHINGTON —Maryland’s interstate highways rank among the most congested and the most heavily traveled in the country, according to a new report.

TRIP, a D.C.-based transit organization, issued the report Monday — timing that syncs with the 60th anniversary of America’s interstate system, which happens this week.

According to the report, Maryland placed second to California for both congestion and daily travel per lane mile. Virginia ranked sixth for daily travel per lane mile.

Carolyn Bonifas Kelly, the organization’s associate director of research and communications, said three-quarters of Maryland’s urban interstate highways are congested during peak times.

She also said that 13 percent of Maryland’s interstate lanes were not in very good condition.

“At this point, on a nationwide basis, the estimate is that it would take about $189 billion to make all the needed repairs,” Kelly said. “But only a fraction of that amount is available to make repairs and improvements.”

Kelly said that interstate system designs with a minimum of four lanes, paved shoulders and medians barriers tend to have lower fatality rates than other roadways.She said making needed improvements to the interstate system could lower fatality rates.

Here are the rankings:

Percentage of urban highways congested during peak times

1. California, 85 percent
2. Maryland, 75 percent
3.  New Jersey, 73 percent
4. Rhode Island, 63 percent
5. Delaware, 63 percent
6. Massachusetts, 62 percent
7. Hawaii, 60 percent
8. Connecticut, 60 percent
9. Florida, 59 percent
10. Minnesota, 56 percent

Daily travel time per lane mile

1. California, 19,424
2. Maryland, 18,425
3. Connecticut, 15,391
4. Rhode Island, 15,281
5. Florida, 15,088
6. Virginia, 14,714
7. Hawaii, 14,616
8. Kentucky, 14,538
9. New Jersey, 14,498
10. Massachusetts, 14,496