Your chance to weigh in on Maryland鈥檚 plans for high-occupancy toll lanes on the Capital Beltway and Interstate 270 begins Tuesday.
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration said in a statement Monday that the first public-comment hearing on the (DEIS) and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation will begin with a virtual hearing from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18,.
You need to . You can , or listen in by calling 1-855-432-1483. There will also be virtual hearings Aug. 20, Aug. 25 and Sept. 3.
In-person hearings will also be held from noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 1 at Homewood Suites by Hilton, 9103 Basil Court, Largo, in Prince George鈥檚 County; and from noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Hilton Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, in Montgomery County. Social distancing will be maintained at these hearings; you need to make an appointment to testify, and you can do that by calling 1-833-858-5960. You can listen in on these hearings by calling 1-855-432-1483.
The Draft Lanes Study is looking at ways to relieve traffic congestion and improve transportation, including mass transit, in the area. The DEIS analyzes six plans to build high-occupancy toll lanes and/or express toll lanes, as well as a plan that involves no new construction.
The draft statements were released last month; you can .
鈥淲e continue to take every precaution to ensure the public has ample opportunity to safely review and comment on the DEIS and Section 4(f) documents,鈥� Transportation Secretary Greg Slater said in a statement. 鈥淭he health and safety of the public and our team remains our number-one priority, and we hope the public will take full advantage of these hearings to learn and share their input with us.鈥�
