Open Houses on Express Toll Lanes and Their Proposed Use on the Capital Beltway were held on May 17 and 18, 2004 in Montgomery and Prince George's counties, respectively. The meetings were held in an "open house" format with project displays on Express Toll Lanes (ETL) and on the Capital Beltway Study. Attendees could study the displays at their own pace. Project representatives were on hand to answer questions and provide clarification or further information when requested. One of the stations was used to obtain responses from attendees on a comment form.

For those unable to attend the meetings the entire content of the meeting displays are available on the project website. Comments can be submitted electronically through the website or sent via US mail.

Approximately 140 people attended the Open House on May 17 held at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda. Seventy-two comment cards were submitted at the Open Houses presenting 218 specific comments. Comments covered a broad range of topics associated with the material presented as well as with other transportation projects in the vicinity, i.e., the InterCounty Connector (ICC) and the Bi-County Transitway.

Comments fell into nine general topics including comments on alternates (46 comments), construction (two comments), environment (74 comments), funding (four comments), information requests (seven comments), transit (17 comments), public involvement and coordination (nine comments), related projects (29 comments), schedule (two comments), and traffic (27 comments).

• Alternate comments included support for ETL, opposition to ETL and concern about adding additional lanes to the Capital Beltway.
• Concerns about environmental justice, impacts to residential properties, communities and parklands, and noise impacts were the most common environmental concerns, however, concern for wetlands, streams, and air quality were also voiced.
• Funding issues and suggestions included raising the gas tax, concern that the tolls collected would not cover the cost of construction, and the suggestion that private funding for highway construction be sought.
• A number of comments were submitted in support of transit over or in addition to highway improvements, many of which specifically support the Bi-County Transitway.
• In addition to support for the Bi-County Transitway, support was specifically voiced for the ICC and an additional bridge over the Potomac River.
• Traffic concerns included general concern about congestion on the Beltway, traffic impacts to adjacent facilities, truck activity of the Beltway, and the directional split of traffic.
• Many attendees were anticipating viewing detailed information on the proposed alignments and potential impacts. It was explained that this information will be presented at the Fall 2004 public meetings.