Montgomery County Council members may support the use of beltway express lanes as an approach to ease congestion crossing the American Legion Bridge if Virginia recommends expanding their beltway lanes into Maryland. A recent study by the Virginia Department of Transportation(VDOT) suggested this approach as an option.

As reported by Bethesda Magazine,

The stretch, where about 300,000 vehicles pass through on an average weekday, is known for its traffic congestion. The VDOT report suggested talking to Maryland transportation leaders about extending Virginia’s Beltway express lanes over the bridge, which connects the two states, and all the way to the I-270 spur in Bethesda as a way to calm traffic.

The Virginia express lanes now end north of the Dulles Toll Road, a few miles from the bridge and the Maryland line.

Council member Roger Berliner headed an effort to examine this approach with Virginia a few years ago and hopes that the Hogan Administration will give it serious consideration.

Berliner said building another Potomac River crossing remains a “non-starter in our community,” but that with Gov. Larry Hogan’s recent investments in highway infrastructure, he hopes examining Beltway express lanes become a priority.