ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland's Board of Public Works gave the go ahead Wednesday to widen the American Legion Bridge and I-270 in Montgomery County with privately owned and operated toll lanes.
The vote came only after State Comptroller Peter Franchot secured guarantees that 10% of the toll money will be used for public transportation and agreed to vote in favor of the proposal.
Franchot also insisted that plans to widen the Maryland portion of the Capital Beltway would be put on the back burner until issues over the acquisition of homes and parkland are resolved.
Protesters who gathered outside the State House in Annapolis chanted slogans linking the construction of toll lanes to climate change.
They object to moving ahead with the so-called P-3 (public, private partnership) for toll lane construction before environmental studies have been done.
The protest groups amplified concerns voiced by Rep. Anthony Brown accusing state officials of withholding details on projected financing, costs and tolls.
State transportation officials hope to have a toll road developer contracted for the $11 billion dollar project by 2021.