New Express Toll Lanes In Md. Open
Meghan McCorkell
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Famous Women Who Underwent Double MastectomiesBALTIMORE (WJZ) — Drivers who take I-95 can soon take the fast lane. New express toll lanes that have been under construction for more than six years are finally opening this weekend.
Meghan McCorkell reports on the impact it could have on traffic.
Rush hour traffic along I-95 is often more stop than go.
“It’s just bumper to bumper. You’ve got to wait your turn,” driver, Ernie Flynn said.
Now, after years of construction, the new express toll lanes will open to the public Saturday.
Two tolled lanes in each direction span an eight mile stretch between 895 to North of White Marsh Boulevard. This area is traveled by an estimated 177,000 drivers a day.
“You’re talking about one of the top congestion points in the Baltimore region,” said Bruce Gartner, executive director of MDTA.
Gartner said the new toll lanes will benefit drivers regardless if someone pays for them.
“They’ll take congestion off those regular lanes,” Gartner said. “At the end of the first year we’re talking about 10-thousand cars a day that’ll be off the general purpose lanes.”
The express lanes will have driver’s tolls deduct electronically so that they can maintain highway speed instead of stopping.
E-ZPass users will pay $1.75 to travel one way during peak hours, $1.40 during off peak hours and 70 cents over night.
“I’m actually on my way right now to get an E-ZPass so I can use the new express lanes,” driver, Michael Lentz said.
Rates will be higher for drivers without E-ZPass. Cameras will capture your license plate and send a bill to your house.
New toll lanes will open on Saturday. They will be free for one week to give drivers a chance to get used to them.
The express toll lanes are part of a $1.1 billion reconstruction project on I-95. The transportation authority projects the express lanes will see 5.4 million trips a year by 2025.
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