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HB0679 requires the Maryland Transportation Authority to design and locate the entrances and exits for the new bridge over the Patapsco River, which will replace the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, as well as the associated roads, so that drivers who do not actually cross the bridge are not charged a toll. The bill is narrowly focused on the physical layout of the replacement bridge project and toll collection design, rather than on broader transportation policy.
The measure adds a new section to the Transportation Article directing the Authority to ensure tolling is limited to vehicles that use the bridge itself. It applies to the new Patapsco River bridge project and takes effect October 1, 2025. In practical terms, it would affect the Maryland Transportation Authority’s planning, engineering, and tolling decisions for the bridge replacement and nearby access roads.
The bill would amend Maryland Transportation Article § 4-408 by adding a requirement that the Maryland Transportation Authority design the bridge approaches, entrances, exits, and related roads so that vehicles bypassing the bridge are not subject to tolls. This would constrain how the Authority structures access to the replacement Francis Scott Key Bridge and could affect roadway design, toll gantry placement, and revenue collection for the project. The main affected party is the Maryland Transportation Authority, along with drivers using the Patapsco River crossing and adjacent roads.
Based on the bill text and the limited context provided, the measure appears to be framed as a consumer-protection and fairness provision for motorists, ensuring that tolls are only charged to vehicles that actually cross the bridge. No committee testimony or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented legislative debate or opposition in the supplied materials. The available context does not show controversy, but the bill’s practical implications for bridge design and toll revenue could make it a subject of transportation-policy discussion.
The main point of potential contention is whether the bill unduly restricts the Maryland Transportation Authority’s discretion in designing the replacement bridge and its access roads. Supporters would likely emphasize fairness and preventing tolls on drivers who do not use the bridge, while any opponents might focus on engineering flexibility, traffic management, or possible effects on project financing and toll revenue. No specific objections or named opposing groups appear in the provided transcripts or vote history.