After 50-Year Debate, ICC Becomes Reality

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- It's full speed ahead for the InterCounty Connector.

On Tuesday, construction will begin on the controversial 18-mile project, which will link Interstate 270 in Montgomery County with Interstate 95 in Prince George's County.

The more than 50-year-old debate on whether or not to build the roadway is drawing to a close. Residents affected by the construction are realizing the project is a now a reality.

"It is going to be very sad," says Paul Sevier, who lives near the intersection of Muncaster Mill Road and Georgia Avenue in Rockville.

The highway will cut through a .7-acre portion of Sevier's backyard.

"A lot of trees are going to go and it is just going to be a scarring of our backyard basically. It is something that we are not looking forward to," Sevier says.

Sevier moved into his house knowing the ICC could run through his backyard, and although he is being compensated for the loss of land, the reality is like having a cold cup of water thrown on his face.

"I'm still hopeful that it will be at least postponed, if not killed for a third time," he says.

There are currently two lawsuits filed against the ICC in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. A judge says he hopes to make a ruling after an Oct. 29 hearing.

But until that time, work will begin.

This week, there won't be much heavy lifting.

"We are not going to be turning dirt. It will be mostly putting up signs and erecting a field office for the work," says Valerie Burnette Edgar, spokesperson for the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Bulldozers and dump trucks may start to creep into some locations, but they will not go to work right away.

The first portion of the five-phase project is a seven-mile stretch from I-370 to just east of MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) in Montgomery County and is scheduled to be finished by late 2010.

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