Dear Friends,

Welcome to spring! If you’ve taken a drive around the corridor, you’ve probably noticed the snow has melted and we are finally trading winter grays for something a little brighter. The Purple Line is doing the same these days, and the past few weeks have brought a noticeable shift in energy up and down the alignment.

As Ray Biggs, Purple Line Senior Project Director at MDOT MTA, noted in his monthly newsletter, March brought both International Women’s Day and Women in Construction Week! The Purple Line has hundreds of women shaping this project -- engineers, planners, construction crews, operations specialists, and more. We salute these awesome women and grateful for the work they do every day to make this project become a reality.

Construction is now 88.8% complete with track installation at 87% and you can feel that progress on the ground. As the weather warms, you’re likely to see more landscaping and station elements emerging -- and fewer orange cones -- as the project steadily transitions toward a year dominated by vehicle testing and systems integration.

Speaking of testing, we have a big development to share: Live wire testing is expanding into the University of Maryland campus, with overnight runs beginning a few weeks ago. There’s plenty more happening, so here’s a quick look at what you’ll find below in this edition:

Highlights

• Live wire testing expands into the University of Maryland campus
• Dynamic testing continues across the alignment, including College Park
• Brief overview of the latest Joint Chairmen’s Report (JCR) on Purple Line construction
• Spring Street Bridge timeline update
• Upcoming Community Advisory Team (CAT) meetings
• Ongoing construction and detours across the corridor

As we head into spring, it’s heartening to see the Purple Line taking visible shape -- trains gliding along various parts of the alignment at night, station elements emerging along the corridor, and construction inching ever closer to the finish line. The latest state report gives us a clearer picture of what’s ahead: A big push toward substantial completion in 2026, followed by a year of rigorous testing to ensure the system is safe, reliable, and ready for riders.

We’ll continue keeping you informed through it all. Thanks, as always, for reading, for sharing your questions, and for being part of this community that cares so deeply about getting this project right.

Warmly,
Christine

WHAT'S HAPPENING!

Your Support Keeps Us Moving Forward

As the Purple Line moves into this next major phase of testing and system integration, we’ve been reflecting on the long arc of this project -- and on the people who have walked alongside us for so many years. Purple Line NOW has been advocating for this line for decades, and many of you have been with us just as long. Your commitment, your questions, your encouragement, and your generosity have shaped this work every step of the way.

Our mission has always been bigger than simply providing updates. We clarify information, communicate openly with the public, and advocate for initiatives that help make the Purple Line a reality. And we do it without corporate underwriting, government grants, annual dues, or large institutional funding, but rather by you, our neighbors, riders, students, businesses, and supporters who believe in a more connected, more accessible region.

Your contributions make everything we do possible. They keep our newsletters consistent, our public forums free, and our advocacy strong at a moment when clear, reliable information is more important than ever. We truly could not do this without you.

Below, you’ll find a list of the generous donors who are already supporting our work this year. If you don’t see your name -- and you’d like to support our mission -- we would be honored to add you. Just click the purple DONATE NOW! box below. Every gift, of every size, helps sustain the work we do together.

From all of us at Purple Line NOW, thank you for standing with us, for believing in this project, and for helping us carry this momentum into the months ahead. We are deeply grateful for your partnership.

Featured Donors
Maryland Department of Transportation
The Sanders-Malloy Family
Tina, Don, and Jessie Slater

Supporters
Elizabeth Barbehenn

Engineers
Isiah Leggett
Ben Ross
Nancy and Rob Soreng

Conductors
Jodie Kulpa-Eddy
John Robinson
Christine Scott and JohnR Llewellyn

Commuters
Anne Ambler & John Fay, Gus Bauman, Ralph Bennett, Glen Bottoms, Peter Gray, Gerrit Knaap, Francine Meyer, Kathy Porter, Tom Quinn, Webb Smedley, John Undeland

Passengers
Louise & Ross Capon, John Carroll, Margaret Chasson, Mike DeLong, Patrick Dougherty, William & Kay Gilcher, Jay Miller, Judith Morenoff, James Riley, Michael Volk

Live Wire Testing Expands Into the University of Maryland Campus

The Purple Line team has announced a major milestone for Prince George’s County: Live wire testing of the light rail vehicles (LRVs) is now underway on the University of Maryland campus, with overnight testing beginning a few weeks ago.

This phase has been months in the making. Technical crews, safety teams, local agencies, and UMD officials have been coordinating behind the scenes to prepare the corridor for energized testing -- a critical step toward full system integration.

Testing takes place nightly between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. with LRVs operating quietly but fully energized. Intersections are briefly closed by police or flaggers as trains pass through. The testing route runs from the College Park–UMD Station, across Route 1, and along Campus Drive to the Adelphi Road–UMGC–UMD Station.

The outreach team has installed dozens of weatherproof signs across campus and launched a new Testing & Safety webpage with videos and tips. The message is simple and important: Treat every track as active.

This is one of the most visible signs yet that the Purple Line is entering its long, complex testing and commissioning phase.

Dynamic Testing Expands Along the Alignment -- Including College Park

Dynamic testing -- where LRVs run on energized track to validate power, braking, and communications -- continues to broaden across the corridor. In College Park, trains have been spotted moving between the future Campus Drive, East Campus, and M Square stations. PLN President Ralph Bennett (who moonlights as a UMD professor when he’s not doing PLN duty!) even caught a few trains “in the wild” on campus.

It is clear that the project is shifting from heavy construction toward operational readiness. Each test run helps confirm that track, power, and signal systems are working together as intended, and it gives the community a glimpse of what daily service will eventually feel like.

Photo Courtesy of Ralph Bennett

Photo Courtesy of Ralph Bennett

Key Takeaways from the Full JCR Construction Status Report

The March 2026 Joint Chairmen's Report, summarizing progress through January 31, 2026, offers several important developments.

Construction Nearing 90% -- But Testing Will Continue for Over a Year

The report clarifies:

“Although substantial construction completion is anticipated by late 2026, the system will undergo rigorous testing for more than one year beyond the construction completion date.”

This means 2027 will be dominated by systems integration, safety certification, and demonstration testing.

Capital Crescent Trail Reopening Shifts to Fall 2026

The CCT completion date has been updated:

“The Capital Crescent Trail projected completion date has been updated to Fall 2026 due to continued use for construction access.”

Weather‑dependent grading and wall work continue, and MTA notes it will reopen portions only when safe to do so.

Why This Matters

The JCR update is one of the clearest windows into the project’s true status -- steady construction progress, a long testing period ahead, and active work to resolve schedule risks.

Spring Street Bridge Timeline Update

As we noted in our previous newsletter, the Spring Street Bridge in downtown Silver Spring -- long a bottleneck in the construction schedule -- is now expected to reopen in summer 2026, a shift from the earlier spring estimate. The delay stems from the complexity of utility relocations and coordination with CSX and MARC operations. Crews continue to work extended hours when possible, and once complete, the bridge will provide improved pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicular connections to the future 16th Street/Woodside station.

Photo Courtesy of MDOT MTA

High‑Impact Construction Continues

The agency’s latest updates highlight several closures and detours still in effect, with an interactive map available for residents tracking neighborhood‑level impacts. As always, we encourage you to check in with their construction updates on their website.

Construction continues across the corridor, including:

• Overhead wire installation
• Utility relocations
• Intermittent lane closures
• Occasional overnight work
• Pedestrian detours around active work zones

Expect periodic noise and traffic disruptions as crews push toward major milestones. The project team continues to emphasize safety and encourages everyone to follow posted signage and avoid entering work areas.

Spring Community Advisory Team Meetings Set

Spring Community Advisory Team (CAT) meetings are scheduled for April 14–28, offering residents a chance to hear updates specific to their segment, ask questions, and stay engaged as the project moves into its testing‑heavy phase.

All CAT meetings are scheduled from 6 pm - 7:30 pm, with Microsoft Teams links posted at Purple Line MD | Public Meetings and Events. The Spring 2026 CAT schedule is:

Tuesday, April 14 University Boulevard
Thursday, April 16 Long Branch
Tuesday, April 21 Lyttonsville/Woodside
Wednesday, April 22 Riverdale Park/New Carrollton
Thursday, April 23 Bethesda/Chevy Chase
Monday, April 27 College Park
Tuesday, April 28 Silver Spring

STAY CONNECTED

Share This Newsletter

Please feel free to share this newsletter - no permission from us needed! You can always find a link to our newsletter on our Purple Line NOW website which makes it easy to share with your friends, neighbors, constituents, customers, and employees. 

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Make sure you are signed up for timely alerts from Purple Line NOW via our Twitter and Facebook pages, and at our website Purple Line NOW.

Welcome to this week’s Purple Line NOW News. We’re so glad you’re with us!

As winter finally starts to unclench its icy little fist and the first hints of spring peek out (cautiously, as if they know better by now!), the Purple Line is offering its own signs of progress -- some big, some quiet, all worth a smile.

This week’s edition brings a mix of milestones, updates, and a few moments that remind us why this project continues to matter so deeply to so many communities along the corridor. Make sure to catch the spring Community Advisory Team (CAT) meeting dates which are coming up quickly.

Here’s a quick peek at what you'll find below:

• A Little St. Patrick’s Day Purple Line Magic -- Our VP, Greg Sanders, and his family happened upon a rare late‑night sighting of a Purple Line vehicle in motion, a moment equal parts excitement and nostalgia.
• An Update on Baltimore’s Red Line -- A snapshot of where the long‑awaited project stands and what’s coming next.
• Spring Street Bridge Timeline Shifts -- Weather delays push the reopening into summer; we walk through what’s behind the change.
• High‑Impact Construction Continues -- A roundup of active work zones and progress along the alignment.
• A Sustainability Win Worth Celebrating -- The Operations & Maintenance Facility earns LEED Silver, a milestone our partners can be proud of.

Pour yourself something warm (or cold, depending on the time of day you're reading!) and settle in. There’s a lot happening across the corridor, and we’re excited to share it with you.

Warmly,
Christine

WHAT'S HAPPENING!

Your Support Keeps Us On Track

As we shake off the last of winter and look toward brighter days, we want to say something simple and sincere: we are grateful for you.

Purple Line NOW continues its work the same way we always have -- without corporate underwriting, government grants, annual dues, or big institutional funding. What keeps this effort going is the steady support of neighbors, friends, and community members who care about transparency and reliable Purple Line information.

Your generosity -- whether it’s a yearly tradition, an occasional boost, or a spur‑of‑the‑moment gift -- keeps our forums free, our newsletters consistent, and our advocacy strong. Every contribution truly matters.

If spring has you feeling energized to renew your support or make a gift, just click on the purple DONATE NOW! box just below. And if you’d like to see the wonderful folks already powering this work, we invite you to take a look at our current donor list, as well.

From all of us at Purple Line NOW, thank you for standing with us, for believing in this project, and for helping us carry this momentum into the months ahead.

A Little St. Patrick’s Day Purple Line Magic

Every so often, the Purple Line offers up a moment that feels both historic and deeply personal.

Last night, our Vice President, Greg Sanders, set out with his mother Barbara, her partner Donna, and his wife Kate for what they hoped might be a bit of St. Patrick’s Day luck -- a chance to catch nighttime testing along the New Carrollton end of the line.

A quick note up front: We hope in the coming months, you are lucky enough to glimpse testing, too! But, please do so with care. Our project partners are eager to avoid crowds of enthusiastic onlookers gathering in ways that could complicate traffic or distract workers. Greg coordinated ahead of time with the concessionaire, followed their guidance, and stayed well clear of active work areas. We share this story in that same spirit of respect -- and safety -- for the work underway.

When the group arrived, the tracks between New Carrollton and Beacon Heights were lit but still. Police and DOT crews were stationed at several major intersections, including the Ellin Road crossing, ready to manage traffic for testing. But the trains themselves remained dark. An hour passed. The family stretched their legs, checked the block lights, and debated whether their luck had run out for the night.

And then...Motion!

Just as they were considering heading home, a worker stepped into one of the trackside trailers and a bright light flicked on. Moments later, at 10:31 pm, the stillness broke and a Purple Line vehicle glided into view!

Photo Credit: Donna Nelson

The train paused long enough for what Greg described as a “glamour shot,” while a technician with a clipboard monitored the onboard systems. Then, in a small but thrilling flourish, the exterior signs lit up. The interior display shifted from the time and temperature to a message that felt almost ceremonial:

"Welcome to the Purple Line. This train’s destination is New Carrollton."

After more than twenty minutes of evaluating, marking, and discussing the clipboard pages, the train eased forward to cross Annapolis Road. The family drove -- carefully and legally -- to keep pace, catching one last look as police again halted traffic at Ellin Road. That’s where their adventure ended for the night.

For Greg and Barbara, this wasn’t just a lucky sighting. It was a moment steeped in memory. Before his death, Harry Sanders spent more than three decades advocating for the Purple Line -- work that laid the foundation for the system we are now watching come to life. To see a train rolling under its own power, even briefly, was a poignant reminder of how far the project has come and of the people whose persistence made it possible.

Barbara and Harry Sanders

Testing will continue to progress eastward in the coming weeks, eventually reaching Riverdale and, later, the University of Maryland’s Discovery District on the east side of Route 1, although the testing isn't always linear and highly dependent on what aspect is being tested at any given time. As always, we’ll keep you updated -- and cheering from a safe and sensible distance -- every step of the way.

Enjoy this fun video the family took in the dark of night!

A Quick Look at Baltimore’s Red Line Progress

For those following Baltimore’s long‑awaited Red Line revival, The Baltimore Banner has a noteworthy scoop this week. Reporter Daniel Zawodny writes that Maryland transportation officials are quietly weighing two backup plans for the project, driven by rising costs, land‑acquisition hurdles in East Baltimore, and a tougher federal funding landscape.

While Purple Line NOW is not involved in the Red Line effort, many of our readers have followed the project closely -- and some of its advocates have collaborated with us over the years as they’ve built their own grassroots coalition.

According to the Banner’s reporting, the state is considering a pivot from light rail to bus rapid transit (BRT) -- a dedicated‑lane, station‑based bus system that’s far cheaper to build and can run just as quickly as rail when designed well. The other option on the table would keep the light rail vision intact but build it in phases, starting with the western half using state dollars and hoping to secure federal support later for the eastern segment.

Governor Wes Moore has not said whether he’ll embrace either contingency, but The Banner notes that the pressure to show progress during his term is real. A shift of this scale would certainly spark debate among Baltimore transit advocates, though it could also keep the project alive after years of delays.

The full article is well worth a read: Daniel Zawodny, “MTA considers pivoting Red Line to rapid bus service instead of light rail, sources say,” The Baltimore Banner, March 17, 2026.

Spring Street Bridge Timeline Shifts

The anticipated spring 2026 reopening has slipped to summer 2026. The delay is attributed primarily to extreme winter weather in January, including frigid temperatures and a major winter storm, which disrupted scheduled work and slowed progress. According to Purple Line officials, the winter conditions forced multiple work stoppages, particularly during concrete and deck related construction. These interruptions pushed the schedule beyond the previously expected April reopening window. Crews continue the construction of the reinforced concrete deck, working on the embankment, and roadway approach construction. These tasks are still active and progressing, but the weather related setbacks mean completion won’t be feasible until later in the summer.

Photo credit: MDOT MTA

High‑Impact Construction Continues

MDOT MTA continues active construction from New Carrollton to Bethesda, including:

• Track installation
• Bridge construction over major corridors such as Connecticut Avenue and Kenilworth Avenue/Riverdale Road
• Work on structures spanning Rock Creek
• Sidewalk and station canopy progress in multiple communities

The agency’s latest updates highlight several closures and detours still in effect, with an interactive map available for residents tracking neighborhood‑level impacts. As always, we encourage you to check in with their construction updates on their website.

Photo credit: MDOT MTA

A Sustainability Win Worth Celebrating

Purple Line NOW is thrilled to celebrate an exciting milestone for our partners at the Maryland Transit Administration and the entire Purple Line team: the Operations and Maintenance Facility in Glenridge has officially been awarded LEED Silver certification. This recognition places the facility among a select group of transit infrastructure projects designed with long‑term environmental stewardship in mind.

The certification reflects a thoughtful approach to everything from energy use to construction practices. The facility incorporates features such as reflective roofing, efficient lighting, water‑saving systems, and extensive use of recycled materials. Even during construction, the project team prioritized sustainability, diverting a significant share of specialized waste away from landfills. The site’s location near the New Carrollton transit hub also supports greener commuting options for staff, with bike storage, EV charging, and easy multimodal access built into the design.

We are lucky enough to know these hard working folks and this achievement comes as no surprise. Their commitment to building a system that serves the region well -- both today and for decades to come -- shows up in decisions large and small. This is the second LEED‑recognized facility for the agency, underscoring a broader commitment to sustainable, community‑minded infrastructure across Maryland’s transit network.

To our partners at MTA, PLTP, MTS, and PLTO: Congratulations on this well‑earned honor! Purple Line NOW is proud to stand alongside you as the project continues to reach new milestones.

Spring Community Advisory Team Meetings Set

Maryland Transit Administration has announced a new round of Community Advisory Team (CAT) meetings, scheduled for April 14–28. These virtual sessions will offer residents and business owners a chance to hear directly from project leaders about construction progress, upcoming milestones, and what to expect as the project moves toward its late‑2027 opening.

CAT meetings have long been a cornerstone of the project’s community engagement strategy, and this next round comes at a particularly meaningful moment, when the project is far enough along that residents can begin to see the future taking shape.

All CAT meetings are scheduled from 6 pm - 7:30 pm, with Microsoft Teams links posted at Purple Line MD | Public Meetings and Events. The Spring 2026 CAT schedule is:

Tuesday, April 14 University Boulevard
Thursday, April 16 Long Branch
Tuesday, April 21 Lyttonsville/Woodside
Wednesday, April 22 Riverdale Park/New Carrollton
Thursday, April 23 Bethesda/Chevy Chase
Monday, April 27 College Park
Tuesday, April 28 Silver Spring

STAY CONNECTED

Share This Newsletter

Please feel free to share this newsletter - no permission from us needed! You can always find a link to our newsletter on our Purple Line NOW website which makes it easy to share with your friends, neighbors, constituents, customers, and employees. 

Get Connected

Make sure you are signed up for timely alerts from Purple Line NOW via our Twitter and Facebook pages, and at our website Purple Line NOW.

Dear Friends,

After the winter we’ve all just slogged through, it feels downright joyful to welcome you to this early‑spring edition of Purple Line NOW News. The warmer days and longer light are finally creeping back in, and along the Purple Line corridor, you can feel that same sense of forward motion. We also want to give a heartfelt shout‑out to the hardworking crews who have been out there day after day -- even through the freezing temperatures of the past month or two -- keeping construction moving and making visible progress despite the weather. Their dedication has been nothing short of remarkable.

This issue is packed with updates: construction progress as the project edges closer to major completion milestones, station areas that are finally starting to look like real stations, the latest on closures and detours (including what’s happening with the Spring Street Bridge), expanded vehicle testing, and a preview of the upcoming Community Advisory Team meetings. 

We’re also sharing several terrific new photos from MDOT MTA, including a rare treat: a Purple Line vehicle in motion, in full daylight. It’s a glimpse of what’s coming, and it’s hard not to feel a little thrill seeing it!

As always, we’re grateful to have you reading along. If you’re able, we hope you’ll consider supporting Purple Line NOW with a donation using the link below -- it helps us keep this work going, and we appreciate every gift.

For now, enjoy the impending sunshine, settle in, and let’s dive in together.

Warmly,
Christine

WHAT'S HAPPENING!

Help Support Our Work

As we finally step out of a winter that felt like it might never end, it seems like the perfect moment to say how grateful we are for this community. Purple Line NOW continues its work the same way we always have -- without corporate underwriting, government grants, annual dues, or big institutional funding. What keeps us going is you: neighbors, supporters, and friends who believe in transparency, community engagement, and having a reliable place to turn for Purple Line news.

Your generosity -- whether it comes once a year, once in a while, or whenever the spirit moves you -- keeps our forums free, our newsletters landing regularly in inboxes, and our advocacy steady and strong. Truly, every contribution helps sustain this work.

If spring has you feeling inspired to renew your support or make a gift, you’ll find the link just below. No pressure, just our sincere thanks for considering it. From all of us at Purple Line NOW: thank you for standing with us, for believing in this project, and for helping us carry this momentum into the brighter, warmer months ahead.

Construction Nears a Major Milestone

The Purple Line is now approaching 90% completion, a benchmark that feels especially significant after years of starts, stops, and re‑starts. According to reporting from Bethesda Magazine and as you heard at our December forum, state transit officials confirmed that the project is entering its final stretch of heavy construction, with much of the remaining work focused on station finishing, bridge completion, and system integration.

Across the corridor, you can see this progress taking shape. From New Carrollton to Bethesda, crews are installing track, completing bridges over major commuter routes like Connecticut Avenue and the Kenilworth Avenue/Riverdale Road intersection, and finishing structural work at stations. MDOT MTA’s construction update portal continues to show a steady cadence of activity in every community along the line.

Station Areas Taking Shape

One of the most encouraging signs for corridor residents is the amount of station‑area work now visible from the street. At several locations, including Riverdale Park–Kenilworth, new sidewalks, stairs, and elevator towers are in place, giving a real sense of what the finished stations will feel like. While each station is at a slightly different stage, the overall trend is clear: the Purple Line is transitioning from heavy civil construction to the more detailed, human‑scale work that signals a project nearing completion.

A Closer Look at Closures and Delays

Not everything has moved as quickly as hoped. The Spring Street Bridge in downtown Silver Spring remains closed, with the reopening now expected later this spring. The bridge has faced repeated delays due to complex utility relocation and coordination with Metro, CSX, and MARC -- three major rail systems that run beneath the structure. Reporting from Source of the Spring last December noted that the closure has stretched more than a year beyond the original target date, underscoring the challenges of rebuilding infrastructure in such a constrained and heavily used corridor. 

Elsewhere along the route, MDOT MTA continues to post high‑impact detours and lane shifts, particularly in Silver Spring, Long Branch, College Park, and Bethesda/Chevy Chase. These updates change frequently, and the agency’s interactive map remains the best way for residents to stay ahead of disruptions.

Testing Expands as the System Comes to Life

Another bright spot this month is the continued expansion of light‑rail vehicle testing. While full systemwide testing is still ahead, the project team has been steadily increasing the number of segments where dynamic testing is underway. This phase is critical: it’s where vehicles, signals, power systems, and communications equipment all begin working together as a unified network.

Transit officials have indicated that more details about testing progress will be shared during upcoming community meetings in April.

Community Engagement Ramps Up

Speaking of April, the Maryland Transit Administration has announced a new round of Community Advisory Team (CAT) meetings, scheduled for April 14–28. These virtual sessions will offer residents and business owners a chance to hear directly from project leaders about construction progress, upcoming milestones, and what to expect as the project moves toward its late‑2027 opening.

CAT meetings have long been a cornerstone of the project’s community engagement strategy, and this next round comes at a particularly meaningful moment, when the project is far enough along that residents can begin to see the future taking shape.

All CAT meetings are scheduled from 6 pm - 7:30 pm, with Microsoft Teams links posted at Purple Line MD | Public Meetings and Events. The Spring 2026 CAT schedule is:

Tuesday, April 14 University Boulevard
Thursday, April 16 Long Branch
Tuesday, April 21 Lyttonsville/Woodside
Wednesday, April 22 Riverdale Park/New Carrollton
Thursday, April 23 Bethesda/Chevy Chase
Monday, April 27 College Park
Tuesday, April 28 Silver Spring

Looking Ahead

With spring around the corner and construction entering its final phases, the Purple Line corridor is buzzing with activity and anticipation. There are still hurdles to clear -- bridge reopenings, detours, and the complex choreography of system testing -- but the momentum is unmistakable.

As always, Purple Line NOW will continue to track these developments closely and keep you informed every step of the way.

STAY CONNECTED

Share This Newsletter

Please feel free to share this newsletter - no permission from us needed! You can always find a link to our newsletter on our Purple Line NOW website which makes it easy to share with your friends, neighbors, constituents, customers, and employees. 

Get Connected

Make sure you are signed up for timely alerts from Purple Line NOW via our Twitter and Facebook pages, and at our website Purple Line NOW.

After spending the past few weeks encased in what felt like a region‑wide ice cube, we’re finally thawing out! Hopefully, in your neck of the woods, sidewalks are reappearing, cars and bikes are being liberated from their frosty shells, and everyone is remembering what it feels like to walk without doing the “penguin shuffle.” (Shout out to the Silver Spring Rush Hour Penguin Mural!) As we all ease back into motion, this feels like the perfect moment to pause, take a breath, and catch up on what’s happening along the Purple Line corridor.

In this edition, we’re bringing you a few crisp, timely updates. Below, you’ll find quick updates on a few fronts: a snip of an update on the Spring Street Bridge closure and why its timeline has been such a puzzle, a peek at the newly approved protected bike lane coming to 16th Street, and a roundup of answers to the thoughtful questions many of you sent in over the past few months following our December forum.

So as the ice melts and the temperatures inch upward, settle in with this issue. No warm drink required this time! We’re glad you’re here.

Warmly,
Christine and everyone at Purple Line NOW

WHAT'S HAPPENING!

Help Support Our Work

As always, Purple Line NOW continues its work without corporate underwriting, government grants, annual dues, or large institutional funding. We rely entirely on the generosity of individuals and organizations like you who value transparency, community engagement, and reliable information about the project. Your support -- at any time of year -- keeps our forums free, our newsletters consistent, and our advocacy strong.

If you feel inspired to give or renew your support, you can do so at any time. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps sustain this work.

From all of us at Purple Line NOW: thank you for standing with us, for believing in this project, and for helping us carry this momentum into the year ahead.

Spring Street Bridge Update

Residents continue to keep a close eye on the long‑running Spring Street Bridge closure, and the Purple Line team has shared a bit more context about what’s been happening behind the scenes. The bridge is still expected to reopen in Spring 2026. A firm date isn’t available yet, but officials have committed to sharing one as soon as they can.

This stretch of work has proven unusually complicated. Crews are operating in a tight corridor that overlaps with CSX and MARC rail operations and includes infrastructure from seven different utility companies. Because freight and commuter trains move through the active construction zone throughout the day, CSX flaggers must halt work each time a train approaches. Those stop‑and‑start interruptions -- combined with the sheer number of partners involved -- have created delays that were difficult to anticipate.

Even with these challenges, progress continues, and the team emphasizes that they’re pushing toward completion as safely and efficiently as possible. We’ll keep you updated as soon as more specific timing becomes available.

Bike Lane on 16th Street Moves Forward

A long‑planned safety improvement for downtown Silver Spring took a meaningful step forward last week. The Montgomery County Planning Board has endorsed the state’s proposal to add a protected, two‑way bike lane along the northbound side of 16th Street, running just over half a mile from Spring Street to Second Avenue. The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will build the 8‑foot‑wide path as part of a broader set of roadway upgrades in the Montgomery Hills corridor.

This stretch of 16th Street sits right next to the future Woodside Purple Line station, making the timing especially important. With Purple Line service expected to begin in late 2027, planners see this bikeway as a key link between neighborhoods like Woodside and Rosemary Hills and the growing network of transit options in the area. The route also connects to nearby Metro and Ride On stops, and it will eventually tie into the planned Capital Crescent Trail extension, which is designed to pass beneath both Spring Street and 16th Street.

SHA staff shared encouraging news at the meeting: the bikeway is fully funded, and construction could begin once Purple Line work at the station wraps up -- potentially later this year. Planners emphasized that the project isn’t just about adding a bike lane; it’s about creating a safer, more intuitive transportation network for everyone moving through this busy corridor.

Members were broadly supportive and noted that county planning staff have recommended several refinements, including lowering the speed limit from 35 to 25 mph and widening the adjacent sidewalk to better align with the county’s Complete Streets guidance. SHA has agreed to consider these suggestions as the design advances.

With strong community backing and funding in place, the project is now well‑positioned to move from planning to construction, bringing long‑awaited safety and connectivity improvements to this important gateway into Silver Spring.

Read the full story here: Bethesda Beat – State Plan for Bike Lane on Silver Spring’s 16th Street Rolls On.

Community Q&A: Your Follow‑Up Questions Answered

After our December forum, many of you reached out with thoughtful follow‑up questions for the Purple Line team. In our last edition of Purple Line NOW News, we reprinted answers to all of those questions.

Since then, we received several more questions and appreciate your engagement and for continuing to keep this community conversation active and constructive. As always, we passed your questions along to the Purple Line team, who provided the expansive and detailed responses below. We’re sharing them here so everyone can benefit from the information. 

If you have additional questions, the Purple Line team remains the best source for technical and project‑specific details. That said, Purple Line NOW is always here to help nudge a question in the right direction or connect you with the appropriate contacts whenever needed.

Testing Timeline

Question:
If construction is expected to be completed in roughly six months (with 87% complete so far), why is an additional 18 months needed before opening? With dynamic testing already underway in Prince George’s County, residents are concerned about seeing trains run but not being able to ride them.

Response:
While construction is nearing completion, the project enters a required testing and commissioning phase. This includes training operators, completing testing on every Light Rail Vehicle (LRV), and ensuring that all train signals and communication systems function correctly as an integrated network. LRVs must also complete 2,000 hours of dynamic testing, which cannot be shortened, and trains must demonstrate reliable performance in various weather conditions.

Although testing is already visible in parts of Prince George’s County, these trains are operating in controlled, non‑passenger environments. This period is essential to ensuring the system meets all safety, reliability, and regulatory standards before opening.

We understand the community’s anticipation, and these additional months are focused on delivering a safe and fully ready system for all riders.

Monthly Updates

Question:
The monthly email updates feel too general (“work continues…”). Is it possible to provide more specific expectations or a rough timeline for when major elements will be finished?

Response:
The Purple Line provides updates in this format due to managing expectations and to be as transparent with the public as possible. Putting a hard date on a task may not always be a viable option due to unforeseen circumstances that could delay the work. Such as the weather. if you have specific questions around certain pieces of infrastructure being built or other projects along the alignment, please let us know, and we will be happy to answer them.

Staging & Laydown Areas

Question:
What will happen to the staging lots at Piney Branch & University and Flower & Arliss once construction is complete?

Responses:

Flower & Arliss
Once construction is complete, this area will be converted into a dry pond as part of the project’s stormwater‑management system. It will be fully landscaped and integrated into the surrounding environment.

Piney Branch & University
Future use of this parcel has not yet been determined. Decisions are pending coordination between the State of Maryland and the respective property owners.

Track Installation Status in Silver Spring

Question:
Only two blocks appear to remain without track -- Wayne Ave (Fenton to Cedar) and Bonifant (Metro to Georgia). Why the delay?

Responses:

Wayne Avenue (between Fenton and Cedar)
This section experienced an elevation and alignment issue that required approximately 25 feet of track to be removed and corrected. The error stemmed from an incorrect rail elevation caused by equipment issues. Corrective work is scheduled and expected to be completed within the next few weeks.

Bonifant Street (from the Metro to Georgia Avenue)
The remaining gap at Bonifant and Dixon involves precast concrete panels, which are the only location on the project where vehicular traffic will cross the tracks using precast panels. These panels cannot be set when rail temperatures are below required thresholds. As a result, installation is planned for spring 2026, when consistent warm temperatures allow proper placement.

Pedestrian Access Near Long Branch

Question:
The temporary sidewalk between the Giant and Flower Branch Apartments is frequently blocked, sometimes by construction and sometimes by drivers moving barriers. This is a heavily used pedestrian area -- what can be done?

Response:
Thank you for making us aware of this situation. We have reported it to our Resident Engineers and construction crews and they are monitoring this area to ensure the barriers are in place. We try our best to make sure that the barriers stay in place. However, as you mentioned, sometimes the public will move the barriers. If this happens and we have not moved them back in place, please feel free to contact us so we can rectify the situation as soon as possible.

Signal Priority

Questions included:
– Under what circumstances the train will receive priority
– When it will not receive priority
– Whether priority is tied to schedule adherence
– How the schedule is determined and whether delays at lights are “built in”

Responses:

When the train will receive priority
If a location is designated as a priority-controlled intersection and is operating under a programmed coordinated time plan, the intelligent interface device (IID) will automatically shift the location to preemption during off-peak free operation. This occurs because priority operation includes adjustable timing parameters that allow the system to prepare for an LRV’s arrival.

When it will not receive priority
This condition applies only when no demand exists from train control system circuits.

Whether priority is tied to schedule adherence
No. Priority is a “lesser preempt” function that places a soft demand for service and may influence signal timing; however, service is not guaranteed and is not hard-coded into the controller logic. This is distinct from preemption, which provides a hard takeover of signal timing to explicitly serve train movements.

How the schedule is determined
The schedule is developed using a fluid, adaptive approach, which is the primary reason the intelligent interface device (IID) was selected for use. The IID integrates highway traffic signal operations with the train control system to minimize disruption to both the traveling public and light rail operations.

Pedestrian Traffic on the UMD Campus

Question:
What measures will help ensure reliable train movement during class changes, when pedestrian volumes on Campus Drive are especially high?

Response:
LRVs are required to stop pedestrians at marked crosswalks within the campus. Pedestrian interactions have been incorporated into the priority and preemption calculations, with particular emphasis on identified potential stopping points west of Regents Drive. However, actual train arrival times will remain variable and are directly influenced by real-time pedestrian behavior, including instances where pedestrians enter the crosswalk or roadway in front of an approaching LRV.

With a boatload (or trainload?) of thanks to the Purple Line Outreach Team for providing these answers -- they are consistently responsive and knowledgeable and well equipped to address project‑specific or time‑sensitive inquiries. We here at PLN are always happy to help point you toward the right contacts, give a gentle nudge if you’re waiting on a reply, or flag information we may already have received that relates to your question. We love hearing from you and are glad to help keep the lines of communication open!

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