Local Control Proposed to Halt Toll Road Progress in Maryland

"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.