The Intercounty Connector (ICC)

The proposed InterCounty Connector (ICC) would form the northern segment of an Outer Beltway in the DC region. The 18 mile highway would run from I-270 in Montgomery County to I-95 / US 1 in Prince George's County, spurring development far outside of the region's core, drawing jobs and investment away from Prince George's County, and destroying miles of precious Maryland parks and streams. There are two alignments proposed: a Northern Alignment (Corridor 2) and a Southern Alignment (Corridor 1).

Despite a price tag of $3 billion and the conclusion by the Maryland Department of Transportation that the ICC would not relieve congestion on the Capital Beltway, the regional business community continues to push for the road. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the ICC found a 9% increase in traffic on local roads if the ICC were to be built and this could continue to worsen trafic for local residents. Alternatives to this Outer Beltway have not been formally studied by the Ehrlich Administration but viable alternatives include smart growth development projects, the Inner Purple Line and implementation of Montgomery County's Balanced Land Use (BLU) Scenario.

Background

Governor Ehrlich has made the ICC his primary transportation priority.

In 2003, the Bush administration fast-tracked the ICC, circumventing environmental review and community input processes. On June 10th, 2003, Prince George's County Council adopted a resolution against the ICC. Nevertheless, the Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board (representing the DC Region as a whole) voted to include the ICC in future transportation plans in the Fall of 2004.

The Draft Environmental Impact Study for the ICC was released in late November 2004. In January 2005, the Coalition and other organizations released a study of alternatives to the ICC showing that the ICC is worst option for fighting traffic congestion. The study finds that the alternatives do a better job of cutting travel time, easing congestion and protecting public health than the $2 billion expressway.

The State's Draft Environmental Impact Study
Study of Alternatives Shows ICC is Worst Option, Alternatives Perform Better

The Negative Impacts of the ICC
The ICC Costs Too Much
EPA's Comments about the ICC
Solutions
Contacts
State Highway Administration's ICC Study Website

Related Issues:
Induced Travel
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