The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced four private-sector teams responded to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to be the developer of I-495 & I-270 P3 Program Phase 1. The Phase 1 Developer will be responsible for designing, building, financing, operating, and maintaining managed lanes in Phase 1.

The RFQ was issued on February 7 to identify the most highly qualified teams seeking to be shortlisted as potential Phase Developers for Phase 1 of the P3 Program.

After a thorough review of all the responses to the RFQ, which were submitted by the May 20 deadline, MDOT and MDTA expect to announce a shortlist of the most highly qualified teams in July. These shortlisted teams will be eligible to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP) in early 2021.

MDOT and MDTA plan to select a preferred Phase Developer and recommend a Phase 1 Agreement to the BPW for its review and approval late Spring or early Summer 2021. An environmental decision document under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) will be approved before necessary BPW approvals to commence with final design and construction on any portion of Phase 1.             

Phase 1 of the P3 Program would improve I-495 from the vicinity of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia, across and including the American Legion Bridge to the I-270 west spur, and I-270 from I-495 to I-70. I-495 from the vicinity of the George Washington Memorial Parkway to the I-270 west spur, and the I-270 west spur to I-370, will be delivered first. I-270 from I-370 to I-70 will be delivered after I-270 between I-495 and I-370.

The Phase 1 solicitation process is running concurrent with the I-495 and I-270 Managed Lanes Study, which continues to evaluate a No-Build alternative and range of managed lanes alternatives.  I-270 from I-370 to I-70 is undergoing a separate environmental review process. 

The four teams that responded to the RFQ are:

1. Accelerate MarylandExpress Partners
   • Lead Project Developer / Equity: Itinera Infrastructure & Concessions, Inc.
   • Lead Contractors: Halmar International, LLC and Itinera S.p.A
   • Designer: Atkins North America, Inc. and Gannett Fleming, Inc.
2. Accelerate Maryland Partners LLC
   • Lead Project Developer / Equity:  Transurban (USA) Operations Inc. and Macquarie Infrastructure Developments LLC
   • Lead Contractor: Archer Western Construction, LLC
   • Designers: Dewberry Engineers Inc. and Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
3. Capital Express Mobility Partners
   • Lead Project Developer / Equity: Cintra Global SE, Meridiam Capital Express, LLC, and John Laing Investments Limited
   • Lead Contractor: Ferrovial Agroman US Corp.
   • Designers: AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
4. Potomac Mobility Group
   • Lead Project Developer / Equity: ACS Infrastructure Development, Inc.
   • Lead Contractor: Dragados USA, Inc.
   • Designers: Parsons Transportation Group Inc., Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., and HDR Engineering, Inc.