Expanded Park-and-Ride Lot Opens Ahead of Schedule

A Maryland State Highway Administration construction project to double the number of parking spaces at the overcrowded Waysons Corner park-and-ride facility using environmentally-friendly “pervious” (porous) concrete materials came with a bonus: It opened ahead of schedule.

The expanded lot at Southern Maryland Boulevard south of MD 408 (Mt. Zion Marlboro Road) in southern Anne Arundel County opened to vehicles in late August, several months ahead of schedule, according to a news release. While some minor landscape and touch-up work remain, commuters have full access to 147 total parking spaces, including the 76 new spaces.

Much of the new parking lot and sidewalk were built using pervious concrete that allows water to pass through instead of running directly into drains. Beneath the pervious material water can seep slowly into the ground and filter naturally. This reduces nitrogen and phosphorous that enter the Chesapeake Bay through tributaries.

SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters said, “Southern Maryland enjoys a strong commuter network and SHA will continue to evaluate access and ridesharing options to meet local and regional needs.”

The expanded lot also features new energy-efficient LED lighting and bioswales for additional stormwater filtering.

SHA awarded contracts of $867,000 for the Waysons Corner project to Concrete General of Gaithersburg.