WASHINGTON -- Maryland has settled a lawsuit with an environmental group that challenged construction of the Intercounty Connector.
The state has agreed to invest $2 million to help offset air pollution generated by the 18-mile highway through the Washington suburbs, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.
The Maryland State Highway Administration will use the money to reduce air pollution from school buses in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Equipment also will be installed to monitor how soot from traffic affects the health of those who live or work near the region's highways.
In exchange, the Environmental Defense Fund has agreed to withdraw its appeal of a federal court ruling that allowed construction of the highway to proceed.
