Toll Rate Up For Debate In Hogan's Traffic Plan: Public Hearing

BETHESDA, MD — The Maryland Department of Transportation is seeking public input on the range of toll rates for Phase 1 South: American Legion Bridge I-270 to I-370 in a series of public hearings scheduled for next week.

The tolls would be for new high occupancy traffic lanes and are part of Gov. Larry Hogan's plan to reduce traffic in the DMV — a project that has been scrutinized by some Montgomery County leaders.

Toll rates may vary throughout the road, based on traffic conditions — higher areas of congestion would have higher tolls, according to the plan. There are three sections of the toll proposal: the minimum, the maximum, and the soft rate cap. The minimum is the lowest per-mile toll someone in the high occupancy toll lanes will be charged, the minimum is the highest, and the soft rate cap is the per-mile toll rate that can only be exceeded when one of the following happens:

• Traffic exceeds 1,600 passenger car equivalent vehicles per hour per lane
• Average speed in a tolling segment is below 50 mph

Toll proposals are classified under three types of payment collection: electronic, pay-by-plate and video. For a two-axle passenger vehicle, these are the proposed tolls (per mile) by type:

Electronic Toll:

• Minimum - $0.20
• Maximum - $3.76
• Soft Rate Cap - $1.50

Pay-by-Plate:

• Minimum - $0.25
• Maximum - $4.70
• Soft Rate Cap - $1.88

Video Toll:

• Minimum - $0.30
• Maximum - $5.64
• Soft Rate Cap - $2.25

Find the full proposal with rates for all vehicles types here.

Residents are invited to give feedback on these proposals at four public hearing next week — two virtual and two in-person.

In-Person: Monday, July 12 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hilton Washington D.C./Rockville Hotel & Executive Meeting Center in Rockville

Call-In Hearing: Wednesday, July 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

The Department of Transportation said that there will be no presentation at these hearing and no questions will be answered. The purpose is to hear the feedback and concerns of residents.

Register to speak during one of the public hearings here.

Watch the public hearings here or call 855-701-1977.