I-495

Transurban Submits Notice to Terminate Agreement With MDOT to Expand Capital Beltway and I-270

By MCS Staff

Transurban has announced that Accelerate Maryland Partners (AM Partners) has decided not to proceed with the Maryland Express Lanes Project and as a result has today submitted a notice to terminate to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) in regard to the preferred developer agreement. Additional information below, per the Transurban press release:

AM Partners was originally selected in February 2021 as Maryland’s preferred developer for Phase 1 of the project. Since that time, extensive work has been undertaken on the project and draft concession agreement in partnership with MDOT. However, the project continues to face challenges including significant delays to environmental approvals, changing political landscape and environmental lawsuits that remain unresolved. Following extensive good faith negotiations by AM Partners, agreement with MDOT on the form of the concession agreement has not been reached and a committed section proposal will not be submitted by the deadline of 21 March 2023.

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Bridge Project Brings Speed Cameras Back to Beltway

By Cordell Pugh

A Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) bridge rehabilitation project is bringing Safe Zones Automated Speed Enforcement (“speed cameras”) back to the Beltway. This project involves the rehabilitation of the bridge carrying I-95 above the Outer Loop of the Beltway (I-495 West) within the I-495/I-95 interchange in College Park. Contractor crews will be repairing the bridge’s deck joints as well as its concrete piers and columns.

The Automated Speed Enforcement is focused on traffic on the Outer Loop of the Beltway, just past the split with I-95 North, headed towards New Hampshire Avenue and into Montgomery County. In a written statement, the State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) highlighted the different phases of this Automated Speed Enforcement effort:

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MCFRS Respond to Two Separate Collisions in Between Connecticut Avenue and Rockville Pike

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue responded to two separate collisions in between Connecticut Avenue and Rockville Pike/NB I270 on Thursday morning around 8am. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the first collision involved multiple vehicles, including one vehicle that hit the median/jersey wall/divider.

The second collision on the OL I495, prior to exit/split to NB I270, involved an overturned vehicle. One adult is  is being transported by EMS with Priority 2 trauma. Some lanes are currently blocked prior to exit 34 and drivers should expect delays. We will post an update when additional information becomes available.

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Traffic: MCFRS Respond to Overturned Dump Truck Friday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services are on the scene of an overturned dump truck on I495 between Georgia Ave and Colesville Rd. There are currently significant delays on both the Inner and Outer loop of the highway. The driver of the truck was briefly entrapped in the vehicle and is reported to have suffered minor injuries.

According to @WTOPtraffic on Twitter, the left lanes are currently blocked due to the collision and spilled debris. Drivers are advised to seek and alternate route and to expect significant delays.  We will post an update when additional information becomes available.

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Governor-Elect Wes Moore’s Statement on MDOT Decision on I-495/1-270 Toll Lanes Contract

By Patrick Herron

Last week the Maryland Department of Transportation announced the next steps for the State of Maryland’s Traffic Relief Plan, which included a10-month extension for private companies to submit proposals. On Friday, Governor-Elect Wes Moore issued the following statement:

Under Lt. Gov.-Elect Aruna Miller’s leadership, the Moore-Miller administration is eager to work collaboratively with Comptroller-elect Brooke Lierman, Treasurer Dereck Davis, the Maryland General Assembly, County Executive Marc Erich, and our communities to find the best path forward.”

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Fuel Spill Blocks Multiple Lanes of I-495 on Tuesday Afternoon

By MCS Staff

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a fuel spill on the outer loop of I-495 between New Hampshire Avenue and University Boulevard at approximately 1:38pm on Tuesday afternoon, according to MCFRS Public Information Officer Pete Piringer. 

The driver of a truck with an 80 gallon fuel tank struck an object on the road, causing damage that led to the fuel tank leaking on the highway. The three right lanes of the outer loop in the area of spill remain blocked as of 3:30pm. Ramps onto the outer loop of I-495 from New Hampshire Avenue are currently closed as hazmat crews continue to work.

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Collision Involving Overturned Concrete Truck Closes Several Lanes of I495

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to a collision involving an overturned concrete truck on Monday, November 7, around 2:45pm. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the incident involved two vehicles and has blocked several lanes of the Inner Loop I495 between Colesville Rd and University Blvd.  EMS has transported two patients with non life-threating injuries. We will post an update when more information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on twitter: “Update – IL I495 beltway IAO Exit29 University Blvd., overturned concrete truck, @mcfrs responded, @MCFRS_EMIHS transported 2 Pri3 patients, both NLT, some lanes blocked @MDSHA @MDSP @MCDOTNow”

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Overturned Amazon Truck Closes Several Lanes of I-495

By Patrick Herron

UPDATE: All lanes are now open on the outer loop I-495 after this morning’s crash involving an Amazon truck.

An overturned Amazon truck with spill has closed several lanes on the outer loop of I-495 between Georgia Ave (exit 31) and Connecticut Ave (exit 33), according to the Maryland State Highway Administration. The incident occurred around 6am on Sunday morning and as of 12pm, only a single left lane gets by, according to @WTOPTraffic on twitter.

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Maryland State Police Arrest Seven People After Protests Shut Down I-495 In Montgomery County

By Patrick Herron

Per the Maryland State Police: (ROCKVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police arrested seven people after a group of protestors shut down a portion of Interstate 495 this morning in Montgomery County. Shortly before 10:30 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack responded to inner loop of I-495 at U.S. Route 29 following multiple calls of protestors dressed in neon vests holding signs and blocking the road. According to a preliminary investigation, more than 10 pedestrians were sitting in the road and blocking all lanes of traffic. Several other protestors were walking around and holding signs.

Troopers from the Rockville and College Park barracks, with assistance from Montgomery County Police, asked the protestors multiple times to leave so they could be issued a criminal citation. After several warnings, those who did not comply were arrested without incident.In all, seven people were arrested at the scene. During the protest, traffic was diverted off the beltway until the road could be cleared. The interstate was reopened by 11:15 a.m. All seven people arrested were charged with obstructing or hindering the free passage of another in a public place or on a public conveyance and failing to obey law enforcement officer who attempts to prevent a disturbance to the public peace. The suspects were identified as:

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