ICC opening delayed until Wednesday
The planned opening of the first stretch of the Intercounty Connector was delayed until 6 a.m. Wednesday after forecasters predicted a wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow that authorities said was likely to stall last-minute work on the toll road.
The 7.2 mile segment -- which links Interstate 270 in Gaithersburg and Norbeck Road, just east of Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring -- had been scheduled to open Tuesday morning.
"For safety and logistical reasons, we need to push the opening of the ICC about 24 hours," Acting Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Secretary Harold Bartlett said in a statement. "There is transition work that must take place overnight before we can open the ICC and that work cannot take place in wet or icy conditions."
"We appreciate motorists' understanding that we also need Mother Nature's cooperation in this," Bartlett said. He said crews would need to work overnight to adjust traffic patterns on adjacent highways to open the ICC.
Tolls on the first stretch, which will be collected beginning March 7 after a two-week free period, will range from 60 cents to $1.45 for passenger vehicles, depending on the time of day.
The controversial new toll road eventually will be 18.8 miles and connect Interstate 270 in Montgomery County with Interstate 95 in Prince George's county.
The ICC will be Maryland's first toll road with no toll booths.Tolls will be collected electronically via E-ZPass transponders. Motorists without transponders will receive a "Notice of Toll Due" in the mail.
By
Maria Glod
| February 21, 2011; 11:40 AM ET
Categories:
Commuting, Driving, Maryland
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I, for one, look forward to the opening of the ICC in its entirety relieving me of that odious drive to get from 95 to 270 via 495 and the slowdown at Georgia Ave. I will gladly pay.
Posted by: dancingtime | February 21, 2011 6:43 PM | Report abuse
But will they add one more free day?
Posted by: dbattley | February 21, 2011 7:47 PM | Report abuse
This road is long overdue. I congratulate the State for standing up to the determined and implacable opponents.
Posted by: ceefer66 | February 21, 2011 8:33 PM | Report abuse
This road is long overdue. I congratulate the State for standing up to the determined and implacable opponents.
Posted by: ceefer66 | February 21, 2011 8:35 PM | Report abuse
Don't care if it never opens. This costly and ill conceived Toll road will eventually bankrupt Maryland's overall all transportation program. Since the Wash Post was one its biggest boosters, I challenge you to assess its true cost and its environmental toll! And our feckless Governor should face up to his reckless support of this boondoggle and its threat to Maryland's financial and environmental future.
Posted by: 15of18 | February 21, 2011 10:38 PM | Report abuse
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