MD TRAVEL PLAZA

CLIFFHANGER:

WILL THEY OR

WON'T THEY?

Courtroom Shocker Leaves

Maryland Board of Public Works

Free to Vote on Controversial

Contract Wednesday

Yet another twist in the ongoing soap opera over the future of Maryland's I-95 travel plazas occurred in court today. The Montgomery County judge weighing a 10-day restraining order requested by HMSHost now won't rule until Thursday. Just one problem: the Maryland Board of Public Works is scheduled to vote on the matter tomorrow.

Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Eric Johnson announced his decision today, leaving the Board with the option to approve the winning bid by Spanish subsidiary Areas USA, or table the matter until Johnson's final ruling.

Bethesda-based HMSHost has argued that Areas' bid has wildly-overblown financial projections, and that HMSHost was excluded from a final round of negotiations between Areas and the state.

Johnson's announcement sets up a double-cliffhanger. First, will the Board go ahead and vote on the matter despite the legal uncertainty? And will Johnson provide HMSHost, Airport Plazas LLC and others with the reopened bidding process they seek on Thursday?

Stay tuned!