Maryland and Virginia officials are embroiled in a heated debate over the potential enlargement of express lanes along the Capital Beltway, with a particular focus on the southern segment spanning from Alexandria to Prince George’s County.
The Potomac River serves as a stark division, with the Wilson Bridge positioned at the center of contention. While some authorities argue that there is sufficient space atop the bridge for substantial modifications, not everyone shares this view.
At the crux of the disagreement lies the proposal to elongate express lanes from Virginia across the bridge into Prince George’s County. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) asserts that this extension is a straightforward decision.
“It would link National Harbor to Tysons,” remarked Bill Cuttler, VDOT’s Northern Virginia District Engineer. “More Virginians would have access to National Harbor, with enhanced connectivity to Springfield and other areas.”
Express lanes offer drivers the opportunity to pay a toll for a swifter commute, while carpoolers with three or more occupants can utilize the lanes free of charge.
However, during a recent meeting of the region’s transportation planning board, Prince George’s County Council member Eric Olson expressed reservations about the potential repercussions of the project. He voiced concerns that heightened traffic could overflow into Maryland, potentially worsening congestion.
“We don’t want that bottleneck shifting into Prince George’s County,” emphasized Olson. The Wilson Bridge was erected with the anticipation that dedicated bus lanes or Metrorail services would eventually traverse it.
VDOT reports that the existing express lane network in Virginia has been yielding annual revenues ranging from $20 million to $30 million. A pivotal vote on the proposed express lane expansion is slated for the forthcoming week at the region’s transportation planning board.