the maryland transportation authority is suggesting toll prices be 25 cents to 35 cents per mile during peak hours and 20 cents to 30 cents during offpeak hours. the rates would get higher and lower depending on the amount of traffic on the road. highest cost for 5.5 toll miles? $2. >> we looked at the prices being charged in other places, based upon the estimates we have for the traffic. >> reporter: the 18.8 mile roadway will link i-270 and 370 in montgomery county with i-95. officials say less than 5% of drivers are expected to ever travel the full extent of the road. >> we expect this facility to be used predominantly for many local trips. i believe we expect the average trip, for example, to be about six miles, not the entire length of the freeway. the charges will be based upon the mileage to some extent, but there will be a minimum for minimum travel. >> reporter: the icc will be maryland's first cashless, all electronic toll facility. it will be paid with ez-pass via overhead scanners. the money may go back to the maryland transportation authority and to paying for the toll road

that's where the maryland transportation authority found advanced deterioration, but they say the road is safe for now. >> it makes me nervous driving over it i guess. you worry about your safety, it's a long bridge, especially in a weighted tractor trailer. >> reporter: engineering and construction would not be complete until 2013. drives who use the six lane interstate 95 lane were quick to say when the crumbling support system should be addressed. >> as soon as possible. we don't need a situation like what happened in minnesota a year and a half ago or so. yeah, i'm sure it hasn't been worked on in a long time. >> reporter: one option is always increasing the tolls here on the interstate. reporting live, kelly mcpherson, eyewitness news. >>> you can read more about the inspections in tomorrow's baltimore sun. >>> as baltimore drivers brace for speed cameras, there is some real evidence they do save lives. in montgomery cameras where speed cameras have been in place for a year, collisions are down 28%. the number of travelers driving below the speed limit have risen to 18%. >>> two d

another thing to point out is the maryland transportation authority headquarters is right down there, as well. that is their main headquarters right there on burning highway right by the key bridge and by that area that is completely flooded. this is serious. that's a huge thoroughfare for trucking with the port being there. this is going to have a lot of impact. this is huge. i have never seen anything like this ever. >> hurricane isabelle was in 2003. this very month the southern part of that area of dundock was greatly affected by that hurricane. >> i'm sure. >> this could rival that. >> well, it certainly looks like it is rivalling that. the water levels are so high, this is incredible. i can't get over the amount of homes where the water level is so high you are only seeing the tops of cars. it is amazing. >> we are getting in more information. beg is reporting 1,000 power outages at this point. i'm guessing that number will go up. >> my home is out as well. >> we are told the watermain is a 72-inch water main. a very major water main for that area. it is just flooding the street

today maryland's transportation authority announced the proposed tolls. >> two objectives in mind. one is to make sure it is a congestion free roadway. >> reporter: once it is built the price will go up at rush hour to keep traffic down. to travel the full 17.5 route will cost $6.15 at rush hour and $3.55 off peak. add three extra dollars if you go without easy pass. bringing a maximum trip on this future road to $9.15. >> no way. >> that sounds like a lot of money one way. >> reporter: it will make a huge difference i hope to the beltway and will certainly make a big difference on local roads if people actually use it. but at $6.15 i don't know if they will. >> reporter: transportation officials say they expect less than 5% of users will go all the way on the road and they provided other samples. to extend the trip to i-95 it would be between $3.20 and $5.60. there will be no cash or toll booths. sensors will detect easy passes. others will have license plates captured on camera and bills will come in the mail with that extra $3 charge. >> most of the customers we expect to use ea

maryland transportation authority police have burned a highway between 695 and the dundalk marine terminal. nothing can move north or south from that area. dundalk avenue is closed from just north of logan village shopping center. all the way down to near turners station. or near sowers point road. police have that road closed. we do have dun haven road closed. mcshane way, the lower end of mcshane way closed. logan view drive. and a -- and not cordially, it's court way. now, court way is where this is escaping from the logan village shopping center. and literally running down the street in anker -- an easterly direction. this water is coming quickly that the sewer lines or where the storm water overflow is, cannot handle this. and that's why it's backing into people's yards, into their houses. and submerging their vehicles at this point. they do have rescue equipment, like we said, en route to the scene. but at the same at this point, there are no injuries reported. this is going to last well into the evening. we just did get confirmation from a source here locally. that some of the power

. >>> later this morning, the maryland transportation authority is scheduled to unveil a full plan for the intercounty connector. you will recall the icc is the toll road that will connect 270 with i-95 in prince georges county. many expect the agency to prevent a proposal that will generate around $100 million in annual toll revenue. this to help offset the $2.4 billion cost of the 18-mile highway. >>> a learning center in southeast is allowed to continue to operate as usual. and residents in the southeast are forced to deal with a temporary new way of life. you are watching 9 news now. black. ♪ "breakfast doesn't really start until the grands are on the table" grands biscuits. would it really be breakfast without 'em? for money saving coupons go to... pillsbury.com. >>> the southeast tennis and learning center will have the lease restored. the court blocked fenty from evicting the center. fenty said the center violated the terms of the lease. >>> 100 firefighters and a dozen air tankers are trying to gain ground on a wildfire in ventura county, california. the fire has burned 6,000-

use to cross the susquehanna river are not in great shape but safe according to the maryland transportation authority. the agency says the i-95 and route 40 bridges have deterioration on the pier foundations but they say that deterioration poses no immediate danger. $53 million in repairs will be done on those bridges. a $3.5 billion budget plan also includes projects for long overdue bridge upkeep. >>> new at 5:00 -- baltimore county police say a rosedale man and woman who were threatened with being evicted have been charged with killing their landlord. police are charging michael dimitay and erin steffi with first degree murder. a relative of david weeks found him dead friday on his home in hilldale road. he was to be in court friday on an evaix notice against the two -- eviction notice against the two suspects. >>> a man accused of dousing his grandmother with alcohol and setting her on fire in march is now charged with first degree murder. police say tyron mason attacked 85-year-old ethel henderson in west baltimore because she refused to give him money. she died in june at hopkins bayview. the c

. >> reporter: to fight back, maryland sends out the maryland transportation authority police who have caught at least 35 of these big time toll cheaters since february. they credit their success to their license plate recognition system. >> we could flood this plaza with officers and they would miss license plates that we have registered. >> reporter: here's how it works. if you don't pay the toll, the cameras at the plaza will snap a picture of your license plate. do it enough times and your tag number goes into a database. and into officer anthony dickinson's computer who uses cameras mounted on each side of his unmarked suv to capture every license plate that drives past him on interstate 95. do you cruise up and down the ride or do you park? >> i'll mix it up. most of the time -- i think it's more effective if you're sitting stationary. >> reporter: when the computer find as match, it freezes the picture and the officer is off to pull you over. >> the officer is going to take your license plate. going to have to have the vehicle towed and then you'll going to have to explain to a

. >> of the maryland transportation authority wants to charge 20 cents or 30 cents a mile off peak at 25 cents or 30 cents a mile during rush hour. an average trip will cost $2. an end to end commute will cost as much as $2,400 a year for a daily commuter. >> the toll cost, they have to think twice. >> there'll be no tollbooth, just easy pass readers and cameras. revenue has always been counted on to pay for the $2.50 billion project. the rates will be finalized after a 60 day period for public comment. >> a little more than i have expected, but i have been stuck on the road before. sundays, $6 may not be so bad. i don't think the into account the connector is a good idea. it just spurs more population, more people, more cars. >> it seems like the controversy will never go away. the first stretch is expected to open in one year. the road will be complete in 2012. the decision has to be made this december. >>> that is all now for abc news at 5:00. coming up at 6:00, d-20 protesters conflict with police. >> in the details of a homegrown terrorism plot. >> in springfield, you'll never be

the maryland transportation authority estimates 356,000 vehicles will drive over the bridge this weekende be one of those. >> the authority is advising travelers to use the bridge early in the morning and late at night. another way to beat the traffic is to come home early monday before 11:00. >> over the holiday weekend, many of you will take to the water. maryland officials want to spread the water about boating safety. rob roblin has more on how to have fun and play it safe. >> the labor day weekend is the unofficial end of summer. many boaters, that means it's the last time-out on the water until next summer. the labor day weekend is one of the busiest weekends for boaters. expect the bay to be packed. because of, that the u.s. coast guard wants to make sure it is a safe weekend. >> approximately 2/3 of fatalities on the water were resulted from people drowning. 90% of those were from people not wearing life jackets. >> it is law that everyone have a lavjacket, the life jacket should be worn at all times while on the water. >> they're easy to put on and simple to use. you can even eq

maryland transportation authority today outlined its plans for tolls on the intercounty connector. the road will connect i-217 with i-95. they estimate they will run 25 cents to 35 cents in peak hours. it will be cashless. there will be no toll playses. drivers can use ez-pass. so far reaction from drivers has been mixed. >> do you plan on using the icc? >> i probably will. >> they've got to get the money. rather through there than raise real estate and income taxes or something like that where everybody has to pay. >> the first section is slated to open in the fall 2010. roadway is scheduled to be completely finished in 2012. >> in the race for governor of virginia, democratic creigh deeds says he won't rule out a tax hike to fund transportation. in a "the washington post" opinion piece, deeds writes he will raise taxes if necessary to pay for transportation imovements. republican candidate bob mcdonnell says he will not raise taxes. up to today, deeds' position on transportation funding had been unclear. voters have a clear contrast. >> one saying we can do it without taxes. the

the maryland transportation authority suggesting tolls run between 25 cents and 35 cents per mile during peak hours. and 20 cents to 30 cents during offpeak hours. the rates would go higher or lower depending on the amount of traffic on the road. the highest cost for five toll miles would be 2 bucks. reaction from drivers has been mixed. >> do you plan on using it? >> i probably will. if it's going to be too much of an expense i'll go the way i normally go. >> they have to get the money they can. i would rather they do it through there than raise real estate wrfsh's got to pay. >> the itc will be maryland's first cashless, all-electronic toll facility. only customers with ez passes can use the highway. the first section is slated to open the fall of 2010. the roadway is expected to be completed in 2012. make it a lot easier for folks. >> you won't have to dig for coins. >> that's right. >>> d.c. mayor fenty breaks new ground for books. >> and new recommendations to keep metro safe. here are other stories making headlines in our area today. jsh. >> police just released this video from a d

. >>> the maryland transportation authority is almost entirely funded by tolls. >>> well, a partly cloudy, cool, final day of september. live look outside right now. how is the beginning of october shaping up. bob turk is updating the first warning forecast. >>> we have some clouds around. showers actually to our south now. pretty good ones, around the salisbury area. take a look at radar. this moved across the bay quickly. now, approaching you folks down in snow hill and the lower eastern shore there. pocomostly cloudy city. >>> a few more showers, south of leonardtown, around the dc area. a few showers around aa county. we have partly cloudy skies. and skies clear out tonight. a cool night. back in the mid-40s most places. but some 30s and scattered frost in allegheny and garrett county by tomorrow morning. vic? >> okay, bob. thank you. still to come tonight on wjz eyewitness news. trial twist. the extortion trial, involving actor john travolta continues. what he said on the stand today. >>> early detection and treatment on the eve of breast cancer awareness month. a critical new report

inspections by the maryland transportation authority are done more aggressively than even just a year ago. it is now following the recommendations from a peer review panel. it is developing a plan of action rather than just monitoring the situation. being on the fast track does not necessarily mean a quick fix. >> we believe we need to get in within the next three to five years to actually accomplish the work. >> the combined cost of depicting the two bridges will exceed the $2 billion. -- will exceed $50 billion. >> we have also just learned that state officials have placed weight restrictions on the ocean city expressway bridge after an expression -- after an inspection there found deterioration. vehicles that weigh more than 6,000 pounds will not be able to use the bridge. a small, unloaded pickup truck weighs about 6,000 pounds. gretzky lawyers for sheila dixon are preparing for two separate trials. it is unclear when the trial on perjury charges will begin, but the mayor's defense is trying to get those two indictments dismissed. the state prosecutor says the move will not affect

the maryland transportation authority which will operate the icc will vote on the final plan in december. >>> time now for a quick look at some of the stories you'll find in tomorrow morning's edition of the baltimore sun. city leaders plan to unveil the first of 51 speed cameras. why a columbia resident is fighting mad that the tv on her rowing machine is permanently set on fox news. >>> and the annapolis entrepreneurs who have designed a line of nascar for women. and remember to look for the updated forecast from wjz's first warning weather team. >>> well, start practicing saying loyola university. and not loyola college. that's because the north baltimore school is changing its name officially on friday. that's tomorrow. market research found perspective students found attending a university more prestigious. loyola says the designation is a better fit for the school. with 3500 undergrads and 2600 graduate students. the school has spent about $250,000 to reflect the name change on campus and beyond. >>> most students learn about history. american government and debates from the books

maryland transportation authority police do have that closed at this point.but as i said, looks like burning highway closed. dun haven closed. mcshane close. and logan view drive, and of course dundalk avenue. we'll stay on top television this and give you more information. >>> and if you are watching us right now, and you living in that area, that's affected, we would like to hear from you. if you wouldn't mind. call us 410-578-1313. so we can find out what is going on in your particular street. thank you, mike. >>> we are just weeks away from a delivery. and anchor woman julie chan is surprised by a live baby shower. >> surprise. >> we're throwing you a baby shower. >> she firsted announced her pregnancy april 7th. she is due the 24th. this is the anchor woman's first pregnancy. >>> thousands of baltimoreans tuned in. television's longest-running drama. ron matz has more on the series. >>> after 72 years and 15,700 episodes, it was time to say goodbye to guiding light. >> sad. very sad. after watching it for 30- something years. >> reporter: amber counter a

. >> and later this morning the maryland transportation authority is scheduled to unveil a toll plan for the intercounty connector. you'll recall the icc is the toll road which will eventually connect 270 in montgomery county with i-95 in prince georges county. many expect mdta to present a proposal that will generate $100 million in annual toll revenue to help offset the cost of the 18-mile highway. >>> northern virginia received what could amount to a three- year reprieve on a deadline to move as many as 20,000 military jobs. most of those jobs were supposed to be moved from arlington to ft. belvoir by 2011. but belvoir is not deserved by metro and the additional vehicles were expected to create a traffic nightmare. the extension gives property owners in alexandria and crystal city more time to find new tenants. >>> happening today, a guilty plea is expected from a bethesda teenager. 19-year-old colin mckenzie gudd. the defense attorneys say he never intended to hurt anyone. and he will plead guilty to possessing a destructive device. >>> howard county leaders are considering a pro

the maryland transportation authorities says 366,000 vehicles will cross the bay bridge this weekend. the best advice is to travel over the bridge before 11:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. >>> a free education for those who have fought for our freedom. we'll take a look at the new gi bill and how it's affecting college enrollment. >>> and now a little boy has been found after two years and wait until you hear where he was and who had him. >>> and try explaining this one to your insurance company. a man fires a cannon into his neighbor's home. you can find that story on myfoxdc.com. click on the off beat section. stay with us. >>> a miraculous discovery at sea. nine people killed when crews were able to rescue almost 1,000 people on board, including a woman found bobbing with a life jacket eight miles from where a ship ferry went down. no word on what caused that accident. >>> crews are gaining ground on the arson sparked blaze in los angeles. investigators are looking for clues found near a highway where the fire started. the fire did kill two firefighters that burned 246 square miles and

to fight back, maryland sends out the maryland transportation authority police would have caught at least of these big- time toll cheaters since februaryt their success to their license plate recognition system. >> we could flood the plaza with officers and they would miss license plates that we have registered and suspended. >> reporter: if you don't pay the tolls, the cameras will snap a picture of your license plate. do it enough times an your tag number goes into a database. and into officer anthony dix's computer would uses cameras mounded on each side of his unmarked suv to capture every license plate that drives past him on interstate 95. do you typically just cruise up and down the road or do you park? >> i'll mix it up. most of the time, i think it is more effective if you're sitting stationary. >> reporter: when the computer finds a match, it freeze as a picture and officer dix is pull you over. >> the officers are going to take your license plate. have you to have that vehicle towed and than you have to explain to a judge why were you driving on a suspended registration and why

under construction between shady grove and prince georges county and on wednesday, maryland's transportation authority announced the proposed tolls. >> pricing is set with two objectives in mind. one is to make sure it is a congestion-free roadway. >> reporter: that means once it is built the price goes up at rush hour to keep traffic down to travel the route from shady grove to u.s. 1. it will cost 6.15 at rush hour and 3.55 off peak time. add $3 if you go without an e- zpass bringing a mac mum trip on this future road to $9.15. the first 7.2-mile segment between i-270 and georgia avenue is scheduled to open next fall. reporting live in silver spring, alex trevino, 9 news now and wusa9.com. >>> the i-60 tolling system will be like this one. it is on highway 407 outside of toronto. it uses transponders to communicate with e-zpass and has cameras to capture license plates. it will be the first one like this in the united states. similar technology is already used in austria. >>> fewer students are graduating high school in montgomery county and that causing alarm. 87% of eligible students got diplomas

now the maryland transportation authority is letting drivers know how much it will cost to use that roadway. it will be 25 to 35 cents per mile during rush hour. the rest of the tile it will be 20 to 30 cents per mile. here's a catch. if you don't have an e-z pass, you'll pay more. the tolls are going to be electronic and drivers who don't have an e-z pass will get a bill in the mail for the toll plus a $3 service fee. the i.c.c. will run 18 miles from montgomery county to prince george's county, but most drivers are not expected to use the whole thing from start to finish. >> we expect it to be used predominantly for many local trips. i believe we expect the average trip to be about six miles, not ten tire length of the freeway. the charges will be based upon the mileage, to some extent, but there will be, you know, a minimum for a minimum travel. >> now if you open pose this payment plan, now is the time to speak up. there will be public hearings before a final vote takes place. to get more information on those hearings, head to the i.c.c. project website, that's iccproject.com. >> some p

the maryland transportation authority's approved preliminary plans that could cost you up to 35 cents per mile at peak hours, cost for the average trip up to $2.35. cost for the entire 18-mile trip if you make it one way, $6.15. a lot of money here. >> if i can get from i-270 to bwi airport in less time than it takes going around the beltway and everything else for $2.70, i think most drivers have no problems with that because i look at this new toll road, this any idea in tis particular area as maybe a threshold to what we're going to see from now on with these new transportation projects. somebody's got to pay for it. the public is certainly -- >> there's a lot that's new here for this particular road. for maryland, no tollbooths. all collections will be electronic. the amount you pay will depend on the time of day you pay. >> peak and off-peak. >> you can use an e-z pass or fly on through, have your picture taken andet yr toll bill in the mail, plus a surcharge, of course. >> convenience. >> they have that technology in place from people running the red light so just take a picture

steve from the maryland transportation authority joins us this morning for our hometown hot spot.rning, to you. >>> good morning, patrice, how are you? >> i'm great. talk about getting rid of all the cars and filling the tunnel instead with runners. >> what we got this sunday a i 5k run at the fort mchenry tunnel. the transportation authority is teaming up with special olympics to allow runners the first chance ever to run through the fort mche henry tunnel. >> why do that? there's a lot of places to run. we have runs all across the city, why the tunnel. >> the tunnel is to walk and run through the tunnel. that gives us the best opportunity to get the most runners and raise money for the special olympics. >> talk about the partnership with the special olympics. why get involved with them? they're such a great group. >> absolutely. and the maryland enforcement the number one crews that we work for is the special olympics. across the state we do the torch run, and the polar bear run and we're adding this tunnel run to that. we are hoping to do that every year. we have already raised

the maryland transportation authority announced it will be 25 to 35 cents per mile during rush-hour.e. the tolls will be electronic. drivers that don't have the easy pass will get a bill plus a $3 service fee. the icc will r 18 miles from montgomery county to prince george's county. we are back with weather and traffic in just a moment. stay with us. >>> good morning. here ith four-day forecast. on this thursday morning, mostly cloudy here in washington. partly sunny elsewhere. partly sunny, highs in the mid 80s. chance of a pre-dawnshore shower on friday. highs, low 70s. much cooler tomorrow. afternoon and evening showers possible saturday. how is the traffic? >>> things are a mess on 66. as you travel in the eastbound direction, a couple of accidents. all have been cleared. it is jammed from 29 and centerville in toward the beltway. stick with 50 and 29 from centreville to camp washington. barbara, back to you. >>> thank you, >>> 8:00ow on this thursday morning, september 24th, 2009. a loud and energetic crowd with us he in rockefeller plaza. happy, as always, to ha them with us. o

because we have to make sure there's not a bridge collapse in maryland like there was in minneapolis. >> reporter: the transportation authority has not ruled out raising tolls to help partially pay for those costly repairs. governor o'malley says he hopes to seek additional federal funding for the project. john rydell, fox 45 news at 5:30. >>> baltimore is going pink. mayor dixon and members of the susan g. komen foundation helped kick off breast cancer awareness month. they stress the importance of early detection and screening particularly in african-american communities. >> for african-american women, baltimore city has the second highest annual death rate in the state. these numbers are unacceptable. >> the city hall dome will be lighted pink for the month of october. >>> meantime university of baltimore gets a new look tonight. new street banners were unveiled earlier today replacing the old ones at the university's midtown campus. each design celebrates the slogan knowledge that works. >> it will also help define the area of the campus. >> a renowned designer and founder of new york magazine led this particular project.

transportation authority police hosted the run. the money raised goes to help the special olympics of maryland. >>> (music playing). >> music filled the air in federal hill today as tons of people came out for the street festival. free live music, arts and crafts and of course, food filled five blocks of south charles street. >> it's a community function. everyone comes down. they eat, they drink. no trouble. just a nice time. >> new this area, an area dedicated to dogs. owners could visit with vets and even get treatment for their dogs. >>> hollywood is shining with glitz and glamour tonight as the 61st annual emmy awards are handed out. ryan seacrest was beat out. along with "american idol" "two" and "family guy" were nominated. >>> the ravens win a thriller

transporting five times the amount. authorities in st. mary's will show the dea will show how the drug ring impacted several local communities. inside this federal court house in maryland, prosecutors started to lay out their case. 12 people now under arrest. the charges laid out in this court document all accused of being part of a major drug ring dating back three years to november of 2006. prosecutors alleged they distributed as much as five kilos of cocaine and crack cocaine. the payoff as much as $1.5 million. in court today prosecutors say they have surveillance tapes, audio conversations and wire taps of the deals. prosecutors say they have solid evidence linking the defendants on taped conversations, including hundreds of phone calls, discussions on collecting debts and planned drug deals as well as conversations about hiding and delivery of drugs. the list tied to the drug rink is long. defendants used aliases and its alleged drug leader was known as barney fheiff. they will now sees their assets -- cease their assets. in the indictment, one name stands out. daryle carter, a former dc police officer for more than a decade now accused of also running a gambling