Public Hearing Held on Maryland's ICC

BELTSVILLE, Md. - Maryland residents got the chance to sound off on the proposed tolls for the Intercounty Connector on Wednesday night. With a $2.5 billion price tag, the state wants drivers to help foot the bill for the road, but some folks think the tolls are a dead end.

The meeting was held at High Point High School in Beltsville.

The 18.8 mile ICC will connect I-370 and I-95 from Montgomery to Prince George's Counties. And, under toll rates being considered, the roundtrip would cost between $8 and $11.

Ron Fredland, executive secretary of the Maryland Transportation Authority-- which will set the toll rates-- says the tolls will help pay for the $2.5 billon road without resorting to taxes.

"Simply because they are user fees, and the fees are paid by those who use the highway," he explained.

Back out in the cafeteria at High Point High School, some folks said not only do they think the toll rates are too high, they also question why they're needed at all.

"I really do not believe in toll roads in general," said Myra Snow.

"One of the ideas of this road was to take cars off the Beltway," said Ed Brenner. "This pricing structure isn't going to do that."

That feeling is shared by Maryland Delegate Barbara Frum, who says if the road is too expensive, she's concerned no one will use it.

"Very few people are going to be able to afford it, even if it's a $12 trip, that's outrageous," said Frum.

If there is outrage over the ICC tolls, the turnout on Wednesday night would make it hard to tell. With only about 20 people in the audience and only a handful getting up to talk, intermission was called until somebody else wanted to speak.

The public will get another opportunity to put their two cents in about the ICC toll plan on Thursday night, when another hearing will reconvene at Gaithersburg's Shady Grove Middle School at 6 p.m.

One other wrinkle about the toll plan that is drawing fire is that right now, there are no plans to let driver pay with cash. Maryland's Transportation Authority right now is planning to make the ICC an EZ-Pass-only highway.

On the web:
Intercounty Connector website