Maryland's first all-electronic toll road, pending approval from the Maryland Transportation Authority, was dedicated to the former Governor who made it all happen.
Governor Larry Hogan dedicated the Intercounty Connecter (ICC), otherwise known as MD 200, to former Governor Robert Ehrlich for his endless work to follow through and create the ICC.
The ICC was included in a transportation planning effort that dates back to the 1950's. Despite having money, planning and engineering work in place, the project stalled until Ehrlich was the Governor.
"Over the decades, plans for the ICC started and stalled countless times, but it wasn't until Governor Ehrlich made it a top priority that the Intercounty Connector Project was finally revived," said Governor Hogan. "The ICC was the very first all-electronic toll road in Maryland, and it is one of the most significant transportation projects in state history."
Ehrlich responded to the dedication by thanking Governor Hogan, and said many people thought the ICC was not going to be built, but against all odds it got done.
At the conference it was explained that after Ehrlich's election into office, he made a direct request to President George W. Bush to secure the key federal funding for the project. Ehrlich also got support between federal and local governments to gain key endorsements from the U.S. Department of Transportation and Montgomery County.
"Thanks to Governor Ehrlich's foresight and accomplishments, Marylanders now benefit from one of the State's most significant and innovative transportation improvement projects," said Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary and MDTA Chairman Pete K. Rahn.
Tolls will be collected at highway speed as people drive under tolling structures. Tolls will vary to help manage traffic volumes, with a higher toll charge during peak hours and a lower charge at other times.
