STUDIES & REPORTS

I-495/American Legion Bridge Transit/TDM Study

Description

The purpose of the Interstate 495/American Legion Bridge Transit/Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Study was to identify a range of current and future multimodal solutions that can be implemented to reduce congestion, improve trip reliability and regional connections, and enhance existing and planned multimodal mobility and connectivity.

Full Report

Process

The study was a joint effort between Maryland and Virginia and was announced shortly after the announcement of the Capital Beltway Accord to rebuild the American Legion Bridge and connect the Interstate Highway System by Governors Hogan and Northam in Fall 2019. The study complemented Virginia’s Interstate 495 NEXT project and Maryland’s Managed Lanes Study and their efforts to develop a region-wide seamless network of reliable travel options around the Capital Beltway, Interstates 270, 95, 395, and 66. The potential construction of managed lanes in both states represents an opportunity to implement new transit service options that take advantage of this infrastructure and provide riders with congestion-free service.

Outcome

This study identified a series of potential investment packages of recommendations that help meet the identified study needs of providing new mobility choices to service travel between Virginia and Maryland. Each package provides a combination of transit service elements, technology enhancements, commuter assistance programs, and parking needs. As the managed lanes studies both Virginia and Maryland progress, these packages offer options to move more people over the Bridge in fewer vehicles. The levels of service that are able to be provided will be dependent on available funding levels and sources, as well as the determination of a transit operator.