Am I the only one who believes the ICC was a huge waste of $? (Baltimore: credit card, calculated)

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by pgtitans

You questioned if Dulles should be an employment hot spot, COME ON dude, give it up. Just admit you were wrong and let's move on.

Never questioned it. lol I just said it wasn't the only area that was attractive for jobs. So, how can I be wrong? At any rate, dropping that little sidetrack, the ICC was meant to foster development at both ends. Developers complain about there being no access to their developments. Maryland handed them the ICC. Now it's time to see what developers do.

Only time will tell if the ICC was worth it. Some, including me, think it is.

[selhars]

I don't know a lot about the ICC because I don't have to take it.

My understanding was that if was built to have an easy way to get from 95 over to 355 Rockville/70 Gathersburg direction -- without down to the Beltway, around and back UP, and take the nonsense out of that, while also easing that congestion off the Beltway.

Didn't really know there was a "jobs or "developer" benefit angle to it.

-- Will the road ALWAYS be a toll road, or just until it's 'paid for?' (that's MY issue with it)

(I guess if I ABSOLUTELY HAD to take the road daily I'd pay it but, I also see it's only EZ-Pass, right? So now to use the highway they MAKE you get EZ-Pass, which cost about 12 a year (on top of the toll) just to have that.)

-- WHO and WHAT exactly was the road built FOR? locals to get to work easier?....Locals coming home using 95 S who used to have to do what I described above, got down to the Beltway to get over to 355? For Metro area though travelers and visitors to use? To ease unnecessary Beltway congestion?

I thought it was just because it was stupid and didn't make sense NOT to have a cross-county east-west road across the upper part of MontCo.

[AeroGuyDC]

I'm looking to buy property within a couple mile radius of the ICC for the simple reason that property values (measured by house prices) have already begun to see some movement upon the project completion. As mentioned earlier, it is expected that the 95/270 corridors will see big growth over the next decade or so. The goal is to turn a profit when property values rise to match ICC-area demand.

[pgtvatitans]

Originally Posted by selhars

I thought it was just because it was stupid and didn't make sense NOT to have a cross-county east-west road across the upper part of MontCo.

Honestly Montgomery County needs more east-west roads. Most of the major roads are north-south. It definitely is needed, but I'm not sure if making it a toll road was the best way to go.

[dkf747]

One of the reasons was to make it easier to access BWI from the 270 corridor. Maryland wants the business to use BWI more than Dulles. It seems to be working, at least it is for me. It's a real nice option when the Beltway is jammed up. The tolls are here to stay even after it gets paid off. The tolls keep the traffic down so that it will always be an easy route to take. If you only use it no more than once or twice a month then there's no need for an EZ-Pass. If you use it often then you'll save money with one. I'm so glad it was built. An east-west highway was badly needed. I do think the toll is too high, but I'm still lad it's there.

[rsh56]

Today I went to East Baltimore county to see a family friend. 1st, however, I was in Rockville then took 370-ICC-95 to save time and gas. According to the overhead signs, It costs $3.25-50 from 270 to 95 via ICC. The problem is that I don't have an ez-pass, so with added fees and taxes, how much are they going to charge me?


BTW I thought it was a nice road, but they need to raise the speed limit!

[selhars]

If you only use it no more than once or twice a month then there's no need for an EZ-Pass.

I saw a sign saying no cash. Without EZ Pass, does it take credit/debit cards. Also, how may toll booths does it have -- MUST be more than one right. I know I'd be ticked waiting behind someone using a CC and holding up the line.

The no cash sign made me think of older turnpike unmanned tool booths where you could at least pay by tossing in your change.

I wonder how many people are defiantly not using the road because of the toll. 3.50 -- 95-Rockville. I'd have to think about that.

The problem is that I don't have an ez-pass, so with added fees and taxes, how much are they going to charge me?

BTW I thought it was a nice road, but they need to raise the speed limit!

How did you pay? If you already used the road, don't you know what you paid already?

And, what's the speed limit?

[rsh56]

Originally Posted by selhars

I saw a sign saying no cash. Without EZ Pass, does it take credit/debit cards. Also, how may toll booths does it have -- MUST be more than one right. I know I'd be ticked waiting behind someone using a CC and holding up the line.

The no cash sign made me think of older turnpike unmanned tool booths where you could at least pay by tossing in your change.

I wonder how many people are defiantly not using the road because of the toll. 3.50 -- 95-Rockville. I'd have to think about that.



How did you pay? If you already used the road, don't you know what you paid already?

And, what's the speed limit?

I went through the ICC when it was free. That was the 1st phase which opened last year. They did mail me something but I was charged $0.

Throughout the whole stretch, it was 55.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by selhars

I saw a sign saying no cash. Without EZ Pass, does it take credit/debit cards. Also, how may toll booths does it have -- MUST be more than one right. I know I'd be ticked waiting behind someone using a CC and holding up the line.

The no cash sign made me think of older turnpike unmanned tool booths where you could at least pay by tossing in your change.

I wonder how many people are defiantly not using the road because of the toll. 3.50 -- 95-Rockville. I'd have to think about that.



How did you pay? If you already used the road, don't you know what you paid already?

And, what's the speed limit?

No booths whatsoever. You need an EZ-Pass. As far as I know, there is no subscription. It's like a prepaid phone card, you load it up and it subtracts what you use for tolls. There's a low balance trigger that draw a set amount to "top up" your EZ-Pass.

If you go through without an EZ-Pass, there are cameras at each toll section that will act like red-light cameras and send you a bill (ticket?) in the mail.

[dkf747]

Yes, they send a bill in the mail. I'm waiting for one to arrive any day now. When I get it I'll post the fees they charged.