Baltimore-Washington Parkway Widening Feasibility Study
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLHD) initiated a study in early 2011 to assess the feasibility of widening the Baltimore- Washington Parkway/Maryland Route 295 facility. Specifically, the study examined the potential costs and benefits of adding a third northbound and a third southbound general use travel lane along the Parkway from the interchange with the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) in Anne Arundel County, Maryland to the interchange with New York Avenue/US Route 50 at the District of Columbia/Maryland state line.
The study is the result of legislative language included in Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations legislation sponsored by Congressman C. A. (Dutch) Ruppersberger, Maryland District 2, directing the FHWA to work with the National Park Service (NPS) and the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) to determine the feasibility of such a widening. The study also included an assessment of the impact of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process at Fort George C. Meade on traffic throughout the Baltimore-Washington Parkway/Maryland Route 295 corridor between Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC.
The feasibility of the potential widening was assessed against a number of environmental, economic, and engineering factors and transportation system performance, as well as the specific concerns of Parkway users and other regional stakeholders. The study team engaged communities that surround the Parkway in the study process to identify their preferences and concerns related to a potential widening of the roadway and to share different design and operational concepts with them.
A final report on the feasibility study has been prepared and was transmitted to Congress in early December 2012. The final report and its supporting technical documentation can be accessed using the links below:
Comments regarding this study should be directed to:
Lewis G. Grimm, P.E.
Planning Team Leader
Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division
Federal Highway Administration
21400 Ridgetop Circle
Sterling, Virginia 20166
Tel: 703-404-6289
E-mail: lewis.grimm@dot.gov
Project background
Public Involvement