The Maryland State Highway Administration and Maryland Transportation Authoritys Inter-County Connector (ICC) is a $1.6 billion dollar project linking existing and proposed development areas between the I-270/I-370 and I-95/US 1 corridors within central and eastern Montgomery County and northwestern Prince George's County. It is a state-of-the-art, multi-modal east-west highway that limits access and accommodates the movement of passengers and goods. The project was implemented in five design-build phases, the first phase was opened to traffic in February 2011, while the last phase was completed in February 2012.

The area through which the ICC traverses is one of the most expensive in the country. As such, the enviromental impact and aesthetic appeal of the highway was a very high priority. In the past, the Maryland SHA had addressed the aesthetic appeal of guard rail by painting over bare steel. While initially the effect was pleasing, corrosion quickly overtook the painted overcoat and became unsightly due to the harsh roadside environment. As an alternative, A588 (weathering) steel was considered. However, after a review of other state's problems with A588 steel guide rail systems and the subsequent "decommissioning" of weathering steel as an appropriate material for guard rails, the SHA opted to use a duplex system using hot-dipped galvanizing for corrosion protection and a powder coated overcoat for aesthetics. The result is an aesthetically pleasant, corrosion resistant system.