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More than 10,000 vehicles traveled on the first segment of the newly-opened Intercounty Connector as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the Maryland Transportation Authority said.

The first seven-mile segment of the ICC from Gaithersburg to Olney opened today.

The westbound lanes of the road opened to vehicles at about 1:15 a.m., and the eastbound lanes opened at about 3:20 a.m., said Cheryl Sparks.

Officials started seeing the first traffic on the road by about 3:30 a.m., she said.

Five-thousand six-hundred vehicles were on the first segment of the ICC between 6 and 9 a.m., she said.

She said officials did not have an estimate on the numbers of vehicles they expected on the road.

"I don't think we have an expectation," Sparks said. "This was a promotional period for motorists to test drive the ICC and we invited anybody to come out. People are always looking for reliable travel options, and that's what we provide."

Motorists can drive on the road toll-free through March 6. The tolls for cars and light trucks are 25 cents per mile during peak hours, 20 cents per mile during off-peak hours and 10 cents per mile during overnight hours. A commuter traveling the full length of the ICC could pay $6.60 per trip during rush hour.

Sparks said Maryland Transportation Authority police were also monitoring the road this morning, and will continue to monitor the road.

She said there are traffic cameras installed on the road to monitor traffic patterns, but no speed cameras.

The full length of the ICC stretching from Gaithersburg to Laurel is scheduled to open in late 2011 or early 2012, State Highway Administration officials said.

For more information, visit http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/ICC/Toll_Rates.html

mliu@gazette.net