Overall the Intercounty Connector (ICC) represents a $2.4 billion project to build an 18-mile long toll road between Interstates 370 in Montgomery County and Interstate 95 in Prince Georges County, Maryland. After years of representing nothing more than just a dashed line on planning maps, the first leg of the (ICC) is set to become reality as construction begins this Summer on the first segment of roadway.

Five stages of construction are staggered in schedule over the next five years. Contract A, set to begin in July of 2007, involves the initial six-mile stretch between Interstate 370’s east end and Maryland 97 (Georgia Avenue). A tri-level stack interchange will join the new toll road with Interstate 370 just north of the Shady Grove Road partial-cloverleaf interchange. An eastbound off-ramp will join the ICC with Emory Lane and a partial-cloverleaf interchange will tie the freeway into Maryland 97.

See the Contract A diagrams http://www.iccproject.com/PDFs/web-plates-contract-a.pdf file for details.

Elements involving Contract A include a depressed freeway design and a 600′ cut and cover tunnel at Old Mill Run. The crossing of Rock Creek will consist of an arch bridge to blend the freeway better to its surroundings. 3.3 miles of bike paths will be constructed in conjunction with the ICC. Total cost of Contract A is $478.7 million with a planned completion by late 2010.


Interstate 370 eastbound at the CSX Railroad under crossing east of Maryland 355 (Frederick Road). ICC’s planned tri-level stack interchange will rise along Interstate 370 where the freeway curves southward to the Shady Grove Road interchange.

Continuing eastward, Contract B includes a diamond interchange at Maryland 182 (Layhill Road) and a single-point urban interchange (SPUI) at Maryland 650 (New Hampshire Avenue). Work will extend the toll road eight miles between Maryland 97 (Georgia Avenue) and a point just west of U.S. 29 (Columbia Pike). Ranging between $410 and $460 million, Contract B may begin in June of 2008 and be completed by late 2011.

See the Contract B diagrams http://www.iccproject.com/PDFs/web-plates-contract-b.pdf file for details/

Contract C will begin soon after work commences on Contract A. Work involves construction of a new stack interchange with U.S. 29 and the building of the ICC roadway between Columbia Pike and Interstate 95. A half-diamond interchange will join the ICC with Briggs Chaney Road from the east and a directional cloverleaf interchange ties the ICC with Interstate 95. Additionally work involves the building of collector/distributor roadways on Interstate 95 between the new ICC interchange and Maryland 212, and the creation of grade separations on U.S. 29 with Fairland and Musgrove Roads. Fairland Road’s new interchange will also tie into the ICC stack on U.S. 29.

See the Contract C diagrams http://www.iccproject.com/PDFs/web-plates-contract-c.pdf file for details.

Costing between $460 to $520 million, Contract C work may begin in late 2007 and be completed by late 2011.

Contract D consists of the construction of collector/distributor roadways along Interstate 95 from the new ICC interchange northward to Maryland 198. These lanes tie into the planned Contee Road interchange to be built outside the ICC contracts. This $60 to 75 million contract should take place between 2009 and late 2011.

The final piece of work, Contract E, involves building of the easternmost 0.9-miles of the ICC. East of Interstate 95, the six-lane freeway will transition into a four-lane surface boulevard with a signalized end at U.S. 1. Construction of a half-diamond interchange (to the west) with Virginia Manor Road will be included as will redesign of both Virginia Manor Road and nearby U.S. 1 into boulevards. Work may begin in 2010 and be finished in 2011 on the $50 to 65 million contract.

Much of the information here obtained from the project web site http://www.iccproject.com/.