Happy New Year!

As has become tradition for Purple Line NOW News, this edition highlights our annual Top Ten List! Every year, we put our heads together to come up with the top ten stories that had an impact on or around the Purple Line corridor. With all of the construction and activity, the closures (big sigh), the re-openings (yay!), and tracks being laid -- so many tracks! -- there were a lot of items that could have made the list. Keep on reading to see which ones we chose!

Before we jump into the list, we wanted to alert you that we will be sending out a blast later this week with a message from our President, Ralph Bennett, as well as an update on how we fared during our matching campaign as the year closed out. Please keep an eye out for it.

Wishing you a very happy New Year and a big thank you from all of us here at Purple Line NOW!

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PLN?

Our need is ongoing and we are grateful for all donations at any time of year. Ciick the Purple "Donate Today" box above to donate. Thank you for being part of the Purple Line NOW community!

Our Top Ten Purple Line Stories from 2024!

We had so many stories from which to choose this year, it was hard to narrow the list down to a mere ten. Without further ado, and in no particular order, we offer up these items which we deemed most impactful for the Purple Line! (Make sure to catch some honorable mentions at the end of the list we simply couldn't overlook in this monumental year!)

1) Kicking off the list with a biggie! The announcement came in December from the project's team, the Purple Line project is 73% done -- almost three quarters of the way to opening day! 

2) Canopies going up along the corridor at many of the future stations surely deserves a place on our Top Ten list! A visual and public sign of progress, beauty, and character, these canopies represent a smidge of what these future stations will look like, how the art-in-transit for each may be captured, and how it all comes together with the tracks and station facilities.

Photo Courtesy of MDOT MTA

3) Who can forget the summer Red Line Shutdown?! The shutdown, which was necessary to complete for Purple Line work, but serendipitously, also led to a Bus-Only Lane pilot program, which the state has agreed to make permanent on Colesville and Georgia Avenue. We were also tickled to see the re-opening happen on time (and not a moment too soon!)

4) Not every item on our Top Ten list is a happy one and the cost increases on the project certainly is one of them, even while necessary, to get the project completed without further delay. In March, the Maryland Board of Public Works unanimously approved an additional $425 million for the Purple Line construction and a delay of the project start until December 2027 due to rising costs during the pandemic, a recent contract for the connection to the Bethesda mezzanine, and the necessary funds to complete the massive utility work. Oversight continues with regard to construction on the project. In December, additional funds were requested due to an overlooked insurance contract after which the Maryland Board of Public Works approved the new increases in a divided vote and warned against unexpected costs increases.

5) On September 4, Purple Line NOW hosted a forum featuring Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld, MTA Senior Project Director Ray Biggs II, Purple Line Transit Partner CEO Doran Bosso,  Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass, and Prince George’s Councilmember Eric Olson. It was a terrific evening and a chance for our community to ask questions directly to the team building the Purple Line.

6) We surely count the arrival of the first Purple Line rail cars as one of the major highlights of the year! We were honored to attend the unveiling event at the new Operations and Maintenance Facility in Glenridge and watch so many years of hard work in the form of a very pretty (and huge) rail car come to life! What an awesome and memorable day it was!

(L-R): PLN President, Ralph Bennett; Montgomery County Councilmember Kate Stewart; PLN Executive Director, Christine Scott; PLN Treasurer, Tina Slater; Montgomery County Council President, Evan Glass; PLN Executive Committee Member, Barbara Sanders; Donna Nelson; PLN Vice President, Greg Sanders

7) There are many areas along the corridor that could be singled-out this year as an example of the phenomenal progress crews have been making, but we think the Kenilworth flyover ramp deserves a spot on the list as a visual representation of how quickly the landscape is changing and how close these areas are to the finish line!

Photo courtesy of MDOT MTA

8) At the University of Maryland, embedded track was laid on campus drive, new sidewalks were finished, a bi-directional bike path was added, and a colorful canopy at the Student Union made its debut!  (Diamondback, October 11, 2024). And, Campus Drive re-opened!

9) We'll never forget one of the first major public milestones for the project which happened back in the spring, but still brings smiles when we revisit photos from the event! On May 24, the Talbot Avenue Bridge reopened with a ceremonial crossing by Patricia Tyson and other longtime Lyttonsville residents! The original bridge historically connected an African American community to the range of amenities in Silver Spring and it was awesome to watch its reopening! (Moco360, Source of the Spring, NBC4, WJLA, WTOP)

10) And, finally, this year, with all the progress we have seen, we must take a moment to salute the dedicated and determined crews who show up every day in the hot summer months and the freezing temps to deliver this world-class project. By March they had laid over 17,000 linear feet of track and by late fall, over 10 miles have been completed! We are grateful to them for their hard work on behalf of our community.

"Purple Line Construction" by local artist Chris Luckman

So many worthy items could easily have made the list, including the revitalized Baltimore Red Line project, the Beyond the Rails community grant Purple Line NOW received from the Purple Line Transit Partners last January that helped us continue this newsletter and bring the terrific forum to you last fall, along with the Rivertech Court opening earlier than slated, 17 miles of sidewalks completed, and 19 stations under construction! We are so excited to head into the new year and can't wait to see what 2025 brings!

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.

Time is running out -- the matching campaign is scheduled to end at midnight on December 31, less than a week away!

Purple Line NOW operates on a very tight budget, and currently, our funding is critically low. Our matching campaign ends on December 31, and we are still far from reaching our goal.

We have an ambitious goal of raising $6,000 by the end of the year with the help of a very generous donor who has offered to match every donation (up to $2,000) until the deadline or we reach our goal, doubling the impact of your generosity! Please note, Purple Line NOW Board members are exempt from this matching campaign.

Some of you have already contributed and have had your donation doubled -- see our website! If so, please accept our deepest appreciation -- your generosity in helping us kick off this campaign means the world to us! 

Why Your Support Matters

We need your help to make this vital initiative a success. Your contribution will play a crucial role in supporting our efforts to help ensure the Purple Line becomes a reality, bringing improved transportation options and economic growth to our community. The funds raised through this campaign will help us sustain our efforts through the spring. Your support enables us to continue producing our bi-monthly newsletter and hosting forums with key leaders on our project. Your contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant difference. With your help, we can continue to advocate, inform, and engage our community on important Purple Line and transit developments.

Donate Today and double your impact! Remember: The matching campaign ends December 31 at midnight. Every gift counts—especially now.

Thank you for being part of the Purple Line NOW community! As the year draws to a close, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to you, our dedicated readers and unwavering supporters. Your enthusiasm and commitment to the Purple Line project have been truly inspiring and instrumental in the progress of the project through the years.

Thank you for standing by us, sharing our vision, and contributing to the journey towards a brighter and more connected future. 

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year from all of us here at Purple Line NOW! 

Season's Greetings from Purple Line NOW!

As the year draws to a close, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to you, our dedicated readers and unwavering supporters. Your enthusiasm and commitment to the Purple Line project have been truly inspiring and instrumental in the progress of the project through the years.

Thank you for standing by us, sharing our vision, and contributing to the journey towards a brighter and more connected future. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year.

Warmest wishes from all of us here at Purple Line NOW!

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

• What's Happening at PLN?
  
  • Important Information from Purple Line NOW -- Please Read!
• Happening Along the Purple Line Corridor
  • Fall Community Advisory Team Meetings Presentations Available
• Construction Updates
  • In Case You Missed It

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PLN?

Important Information from Purple Line NOW -- Please Read!

Dear Supporters,

We're thrilled to announce our latest matching campaign, with an ambitious goal of raising $6,000 by December 31 at midnight! Here's the best part: Every donation will be matched up to $2,000, doubling the impact of your generosity! Please note, Purple Line NOW Board members are exempt from this matching campaign.

If you contributed last December, we kindly urge you to consider another gift during this campaign. Your donation will again be matched, making it even more impactful! As always, we will list (with your permission) your name or your company's name on our website for a year following your generous donation.

Why Your Support Matters

Purple Line NOW operates on a very tight budget, and currently, our funding is critically low. The funds raised through this campaign will help us sustain our efforts through the spring. Your support enables us to continue producing our bi-monthly newsletter and hosting forums with key leaders on our project.

Your contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant difference. With your help, we can continue to advocate, inform, and engage our community on important Purple Line and transit developments.

Grateful Thanks to Our Anonymous Donor

We are deeply grateful to our anonymous donor who has generously stepped up to offer matching funds for each of your donations. This incredible supporter has consistently provided matching contributions for many years, significantly amplifying the impact of your generosity. Their dedication and unwavering support are truly inspiring and make a tremendous difference in our ability to fulfill our mission.

Donate Today and double your impact!

Remember: The matching campaign ends December 31 at midnight. Every gift counts—especially now.

Thank you for being part of the Purple Line NOW community!

HAPPENING ALONG THE PURPLE LINE CORRIDOR

Fall 2024 Community Advisory Team Meetings Recordings and Presentations

The fall 2024 CAT meetings were held and the meeting presentations and recordings have been posted on their website. You can also catch all of their videos on their YouTube channel!

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & PROJECT FEATURES

In Case You Missed It!

This video from the Purple Line team about the progress on the University of Maryland campus is awesome! 

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.

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

• What's Happening at PLN?
  
  • Your Donations Matched During the Holiday Season!
• Happening Along the Purple Line Corridor
  • Fall Community Advisory Team Meetings Presentations Available
  • In Case You Missed It - A Round-Up of Newsworthy Items
• Construction Updates

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. 

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PLN?

Your Donations Matched During Holiday Season!

We are grateful for each and every one of our donors -- past and present! As we always do, we kick off our own fundraising season in the fall and ask that you consider including Purple Line NOW in your holiday given when possible. 

***We are so fortunate that we have a long time donor who has matched donations each and every autumn for the past many years -- and we have just received word that they are going to match your donation again this year!!** 

That means, if you give a gift, our donor will match that gift dollar-for-dollar until we reach our goal or the end of the campaign. We will bring you more specifics soon, but we are so grateful that our generous donor has offered to help make your gift even more impactful to the work we do!

Below is our list of donors who have given in the past twelve months. We appreciate each and every donation -- and if you don't see your name on the list, we hope you will consider renewing (or giving for the first time!)

Your support will be used to continue this newsletter and to continue our education forums. We meet every month to share information and keep abreast of all things Purple Line which helps us bring the latest news to you.

You can donate easily by clicking the PURPLE button below or the link right HERE.

Featured Donors

The Malloy and Sanders Family
Tina, Don, and Jessie Slater
Purple Line Transit Partners
Purple Line Corridor Coalition

Supporting Donors

Eric Talbot

Engineers

Elizabeth Barbehenn
Ralph Bennett
Nancy and Rob Soreng

Conductors

Nicholas Brand
Jose Galdamez
Gerrit Knaap
Greg Madden
Anita Morrison
Christine Scott and JohnR Llewellyn

Commuters

Gus Bauman, John Carroll, Paul Goldman, Stacy Kaplowitz, Jodie Kulpa-Eddy, William Strang, Jerry Withers

Passengers

Glen Bottoms, Tina Curry, M. G. Diamond, Patrick Dougherty, Lucile Freeman, Richard Gollub, Francine Meyer, Judith Morenoff

HAPPENING ALONG THE PURPLE LINE CORRIDOR

Fall 2024 Community Advisory Team Meetings Recordings and Presentations

The fall 2024 CAT meetings were held and the meeting presentations and recordings have been posted on their website. You can also catch all of their videos on their YouTube channel!

In Case You Missed It - A Round-Up of Newsworthy Items

• The Purple Line was featured at the Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures Light Rail Conference. Here's a short article about the planned presentation.
• The 7th Annual Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk to celebrate the newly reconstructed bridge, uniting neighborhoods once divided by racial division, was held on November 16 and honored Charlotte Coffield.You can view a short video of this year's walk on YouTube.
• A recent episode of MTA's Transit Times is dedicated to the Women in Transit and features MTA Director of Metro Operations Carissa Nichols and MTA Electronic Technician Aesha Darby discussing their careers and group support and participation.
• For those readers who live or work in the Baltimore area, save the date for the 2nd Annual City for All Forum on Transportation on Saturday, January 25 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM on the Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Turner Auditorium 720 Rutland Avenue, Baltimore MD. Delegate Robbyn Lewis on behalf of Baltimore City House Delegation is organizing the event which will be free and open to the public. Registration will be required. More information to come.
• Purple Line NOW has been given permission to reprint this stunning piece of art entitled "Purple Line Construction" by the very talented local artist Chris Luckman! Her painting has been accepted into the Rockville Art League Winter Members Show and the exhibit will be at Glenview Mansion from December 8 - January 17. There is an opening reception on December 8, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm and all are welcome! Thank you to Chris for capturing the hardworking Purple Line crews all along the project's corridor!

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & PROJECT FEATURES

The November newsletter is out from the Purple Line Outreach Team.

Some photos from social media we thought you'd enjoy!

STAY CONNECTED

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.