Local Control Proposed to Halt Toll Road Progress in Maryland

State legislators want counties to be able to veto toll projects proposed by Governor Larry Hogan.

1 minute read

February 12, 2019, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Interstate 495

sevenMaps7 / Shutterstock

"Maryland lawmakers are tackling legislation that could stall a multibillion-dollar proposal by Gov. Larry Hogan (R) to build a network of toll lanes in the Washington suburbs by requiring the state to secure the consent of affected counties first," repots Luz Lazo.

Del. Brooke E. Lierman (D-Baltimore City) co-sponsored the legislation that would expand powers of local control already granted to nine counties in Maryland, all located on the Eastern Shore.

"If approved, the measure could sidetrack Hogan’s $9 billion to $11 billion plan to widen two of the state’s most congested highways and add four toll lanes each to Maryland’s portion of the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) and to Interstate 270 from the Beltway to Frederick," according to Luz. "The governor has also proposed to widen the Baltimore-Washington Parkway by four toll lanes — after taking over ownership from the National Park Service."

For background on the growing local opposition to the state's toll road plans, see earlier coverage from September 2018.

Thursday, February 7, 2019 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight