Vocal opposition hasn't slowed the Maryland Department of Transportation's progress of the I-495/I-270 Managed Lanes Project.
"Maryland transportation officials are moving forward with plans for its Beltway widening project by issuing a request for proposals to four developers," reports Briana Adhikusuma.
The planned expansion of I-495 and I-270 would add managed lanes through a public -private partnership at a price between $9 billion to $11 billion. According to Adhikusuma, the project "has been met with opposition in the last year from county officials, environmental activists, the U.S. Navy and county residents," in recent months. (Planetizen noted skepticism and opposition for the project in September and October this year.) The project's Draft Environmental Impact Statement, published in July 2020 and closed for public comment the following November, includes six alternatives for the Beltway widening, according to Adhikusuma, "most of which recommend adding two lanes on either side of I-495 and I-270 to accommodate high-occupancy vehicles and those opting to pay tolls."
"Financial proposals are due on Jan. 8. A Phase 1 developer is expected to be selected by Feb. 1."
FULL STORY: Maryland issues request for proposals on Beltway widening
Maryland's Controversial Highway Widening Proposal Scaled Back
Interstate 270, the Capital Beltway, will no longer by widened as part of the I-495/I-270 Managed Lanes Project.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Maryland's Big Highway Widening Project Released
The state of Maryland is moving forward with a highway widening plan that would spend $11 billion in a private-partnership to add toll lanes to two Capital Beltway highways.
Critics: Press Pause on Highway Widening in Maryland Until COVID Impacts Are Clear
Transportation plans justified with pre-coronavirus data are now obsolete, according to a line of argument recently presented to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
Planning for Congestion Relief
The third and final installment of Planetizen's examination of the role of the planning profession in both perpetuating and solving traffic congestion.
Minneapolis Housing Plan a Success—Not for the Reason You Think
Housing advocates praise the city’s move to eliminate single-family zoning by legalizing triplexes on single-family lots, but that isn’t why housing construction is growing.
New White House Housing Initiative Includes Zoning Reform Incentives
The Biden administration this morning released a new program of actions intended to spur housing construction around the United States.
Study: Most of Vancouver Is a ‘15-Minute City’
A large majority of Vancouver residents can access a grocery store in 15 minutes or less by bicycle or on foot.
Urban Design, Transport, and Health
The Lancet medical journal published a series of articles that explore how to evaluate and guide urban planning decisions to create healthy and sustainable cities. Live long and prosper!
Detroit Bike Share Celebrates Five Years
In its five years of operation, Detroit’s MoGo bikeshare has added electric and adaptive bikes to its fleet of more than 600 bikes.
Urban Planning Partners
Sandy City
Ada County Highway District
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Redwood City
City of Rohnert Park
City of Hot Springs
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
