Maryland seeks federal grant to rebuild American Legion Bridge, I-495 toll lanes.
Maryland – The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) seeks a federal grant to rebuild the American Legion Bridge and add toll lanes to the I-495 highway. The project is part of a larger initiative to improve transportation infrastructure in the region and reduce congestion on one of the busiest highways in the country.
The American Legion Bridge spans the Potomac River between Maryland and Virginia and is a critical link in the region’s transportation network. It carries more than 235,000 vehicles daily, and traffic congestion is a major problem during peak travel times. The toll lanes project aims to reduce congestion and improve travel times for commuters and other drivers.
The project will involve the construction of two new toll lanes in each direction on I-495, as well as the reconstruction of the American Legion Bridge. The new toll lanes will be designed to provide faster, more reliable travel times for drivers, while the bridge reconstruction will improve safety and reduce congestion.
The grant application, which was submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation, seeks $1.4 billion in funding for the project. If approved, the grant would cover a significant portion of the project’s estimated $2 billion cost.
In a statement, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said, “The American Legion Bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure for our region, and this project will help reduce congestion and improve travel times for the hundreds of thousands of drivers who use it every day. We are committed to investing in our transportation infrastructure, and this grant application is an important step in that direction.”
The toll lanes project has received support from a range of stakeholders, including local business groups, transportation advocates, and elected officials from both Maryland and Virginia. If the grant is approved, construction could begin as early as 2024, with completion expected by 2029.
