The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) in the US has received 27 responses from the public-private partnership (P3) industry for the initial Request for Information (RFI) released in September last year for the $9bn Traffic Relief Plan project.

MDOT plans to add four new lanes to I-270, the Capital Beltway (I-495), and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD 295) to improve traffic conditions in these three state highways and associated roads.

Responses were received from regional, national and international firms from seven different countries.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said: “Our administration is committed to helping Maryland citizens go about their daily lives in a more efficient and safer manner.

“The significant interest from the P3 industry is yet another step in this transformative process to turn innovation into action.

“The significant interest from the P3 industry is yet another step in this transformative process to turn innovation into action.”

“Once complete, these projects will dramatically improve our highway system and traffic in the region for years to come.”

The RFI solicited the P3 industry for suggestions and solutions to reduce congestion on the three important highways of the state.

The project seeks private developers to design, build, operate and maintain new express toll lanes on I-495 (Capital Beltway) between American Legion Bridge and Woodrow Wilson Bridge and on I-270 between I-495 and I-70.

MDOT SHA administrator Greg Slater said: “This level of interest indicates that industry is meeting our demand signal for transformative and innovative ideas to address the congestion issue in Maryland with a solution that works for the customers we serve every day and the communities the new solutions will serve.”

MDOT SHA is currently evaluating the RFI responses.