Public Comment Sought for Expanding I-95 Express Toll Lanes

The Maryland Transportation Authority announced the opening of a second public comment period as part of the toll rate range setting process for the I-95 Express Toll Lanes Northbound Extension and I-695 ramps in eastern Baltimore County.

The Maryland Transportation Authority Board voted to establish a two-week comment period for the recommended toll rate ranges presented by staff during today’s livestreamed Board meeting.

Starting April 27, and continuing through 5 p.m. May 11, public comment is being accepted on the recommended toll setting plan. The recommendation is available for review at https://mdta.maryland.gov/I95ETLNB-Section200. Written comments will be accepted for the official record during the comment period. All comments received will be given equal consideration. Those wishing to provide comments may:

If you are unable to access the materials online, or if you require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or require language translation services (free of charge), please contact the agency’s Title VI Officer at mdtaeeo@mdta.maryland.gov or at 410-537-6720.

In May, the Maryland Transportation Authority will post a summary and analysis of comments received during the second public comment period to the agency’s website. The summary also will be presented during a livestreamed Maryland Transportation Authority Board meeting that will be open to the public. At this meeting, staff will present the final toll rate range recommendation to the Board. The final vote will take place at the June board meeting.

The Board will accept any additional public comment during its June meeting prior to voting whether to approve the toll rate ranges. Information will be provided in future announcements on how to register to comment on the final toll rate range recommendation during the Board meeting.

The I-95 Express Toll Lanes Northbound Extension project will add nearly 12 miles of express toll lanes to northbound I-95 from the existing lanes at the MD 43 interchange in Baltimore County to north of MD 24 in Harford County, as well as two ramps that connect I-695 to the northbound express toll lanes.

This safety and congestion relief project includes work to replace or reconstruct bridges and overpasses, provide multi-modal connections such as transit service at the new park and ride lots, reconfigure interchanges at MD 152 and MD 24, construct new noise walls, provide environmental enhancements and system preservation, and various additional work. The project also will address congestion on MD 24 northbound, resolving a request that’s been a key priority for Harford County for several years.

The Maryland Transportation Authority Board approved a public hearing plan in December, and the agency announced public hearing dates and opened the first public comment period in January. One virtual and two-in-person toll hearings were held in February and March. For more information, visit mdta.maryland.gov/I95ETLNB/home.html.

Benjamin Joseph

Benjamin Joesph has covered news in Eastern Baltimore County since 2006. He started as a reporter with the original East County Times in 2006. He started East Baltco News and later Eastcountytimes.com in 2022.