In today's edition of Purple Line NOW News, here's what you'll find:

• What's Happening at PLN?
  • Thank you!
• Happening Along the Purple Line Corridor
  
  • Community Advisory Team Meetings Begin This Month
• Construction Updates and Project Features
  • Project Delay Announcement
  • Bridge Over Purple Line Trail Installed

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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PLN?

Thank YOU!

Thank you again to all who donated during our recent matching campaign. With the matching gift from our anonymous donor, we were able to raise $5,950! Our treasurer Tina Slater is grateful the funding from this campaign will see us through the winter months and into the spring.

Because we operate year round and our budget is tiny, even though the matching campaign has ended, if you have not had a chance to make a donation or renew one from last year, we would be grateful for your consideration. You can click the PURPLE button below to easily make an online donation.

Please take a moment to see our AWESOME and GENEROUS donors, listed at this link on our website. Thank you, thank you!

 We are grateful for all the support we receive, financial and otherwise. 

HAPPENING ALONG THE PURPLE LINE CORRIDOR

Community Advisory Team Meetings Set for February

The Community Advisory Team Meetings (CATs) begin tomorrow, February 2. You can find more information on the MDOT MTA website closer to each meeting.

February 2, University Boulevard, 6 pm

February 7, Bethesda/Chevy Chase, 6 pm

February 9, Silver Spring, 6 pm

February 16, College Park, 6 pm

February 21, Long Branch, 6 pm

February 23, Riverdale Park - Glenridge/New Carrollton, 6 pm

February 28, Greater Lyttonsville/Woodbridge, 6 pm

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & PROJECT FEATURES

Project Delay Announcement

As you may have already heard, an analysis conducted on behalf of the concessionaire was publicly reported last month and foretells yet another delay for the project, this one will extend the ribbon-cutting date about seven months into early 2027.

A recent editorial in the Washington Post cites the continued importance of getting to the finish line, “The regional imperatives behind the Purple Line, meanwhile, are as robust as ever. Del. Marc Korman, a Democrat who represents a Montgomery County district, says a majority of commuters in the county move within the suburb or among the suburbs. Which is to say, the suburbanization of transit needs to accompany the suburbanization of work in the region.” (“The Purple Line is in the news again.” Washington Post, 27 January 2023.)

From our perspective, the good news is that the state and contractor are working together through these challenges and avoiding the finger-pointing of past hurdles. The official schedule has not yet been revised and the new contract has a range of mechanisms to allow for problem-solving-oriented discussions early and often. A drive along the corridor shows long-awaited visible signs of progress after a year and a half of delay and languish.

However, timely completion is important both to achieve the benefits of the Purple Line and to minimize the period of disruption. This makes it critical that Maryland works to become a leader in implementing transit, especially in light of the poor showing that transit project construction is experiencing across the nation. The Washington Post editorial illustrates ideas for ways to do this from Eric Goldwyn, Program Director for Transportation and Land Use and an Assistant Professor at New York University’s Marron Institute. Dr. Goldwyn cites examples where projects have succeeded abroad and several possible steps to improve outcomes.

This is important for Maryland’s newly elected Governor Wes Moore's agenda, which includes completing the Purple Line along with new transit initiatives for Baltimore. The Governor and Legislature not only have an important oversight responsibility, but also have a precious chance to be proactive and use the remaining years of Purple Line construction efficiently and, if successful, can act as a foundation for better projects going forward.

Trail Bridge Over Purple Line Trail Installed

One of the most visible signs of progress occurred last month when the multi-use pedestrian bridge over Connecticut Avenue was installed. According to the Purple Line Team, the 190k-pound structure was placed at 3 a.m. while most people slept! Not to worry, John Wetmore provides this ultra cool time-lapse video on his YouTube channel.

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