Happy New Year!

We’re kicking off 2026 with one of our most beloved traditions: our Top Ten Purple Line Stories of 2025! This newsletter is packed with the moments, milestones, surprises, and standout developments that shaped the project over the past year. If you love a good countdown, you’re in the right place.

Our end‑of‑year matching campaign wrapped up with an incredible $9,522 raised! Truly -- what a boost to start the year! We’re so grateful to everyone who pitched in. And if you’d like to see the wonderful folks who helped make that happen, don’t miss our donor list. If you didn’t get a chance to give in December, we’d still be grateful for your support -- every bit helps keep our work going strong.

We also know many of you had follow‑up questions after our December forum. You weren’t shy, and we love that! We’ve already passed your questions along to both the concessionaire and the state, and we’re waiting for their responses. As soon as we hear back, you’ll see the answers in an upcoming newsletter. In the meantime, if you have any urgent construction concerns or new questions, you can also send them directly to the Purple Line team.

So settle in, enjoy the countdown, and thank you -- as always -- for being part of this community. We’re thrilled to start another year with you.

Gratefully,
Christine Scott
Executive Director, Purple Line NOW

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PLN?

The Top Ten Purple Line Stories of 2025

Every January, we take a look back at the stories that shaped the Purple Line conversation over the past year. As always, “top” doesn’t necessarily mean “best” -- some of these developments were exciting milestones, others sparked debate or frustration, and many were simply the most talked‑about moments across our corridor communities. Together, they paint a picture of a project that made real, visible strides in 2025 while still facing the challenges of a complex, multi‑jurisdictional build.

Settle in with your coffee -- in no particularly order, here’s what had everyone buzzing this year!

1.  All 28 Light Rail Vehicles Delivered Ahead of Schedule

A huge milestone kicked off the holiday season: Maryland took delivery of the 28th and final Purple Line light rail vehicle in November, completing the full fleet earlier than expected. The arrival of the last train means testing can now expand across the alignment, giving residents their first real glimpse of the system in motion. Read more: Maryland Transit Administration press release

2.  Prince George’s County Trackwork Reaches 100% / Construction Crosses 87% Completion

If you live or work along the corridor, you felt this one. Track installation surged forward, station platforms took shape, and sidewalks -- 17 of 19 miles -- were completed. Prince George’s County hit the major milestone of 100% track laid, a visible sign that the project is moving from heavy construction toward finishing work. Read more: Purple Line MD Newsroom

3.  Dynamic Testing Begins and Expands to 40% of the Alignment

One of the most shared images of the year? A Purple Line train gliding through College Park. Dynamic testing began in early spring and expanded steadily, with trains now running from New Carrollton through College Park and poised to cross the University of Maryland campus. For many, seeing trains on the tracks made the project feel more real than ever. Read more: Dynamic Testing

4.  All Purple Line Stations Under Construction

Every station along the 16‑mile alignment is now officially under construction -- a milestone that’s easy to overlook but incredibly significant. From platform walls to canopies to pedestrian connections, the bones of the future system are now visible in every community the Purple Line will serve. Read more: Purple Line MD construction updates

5.  Bethesda’s Massive Excavation Completed

Years of blasting, drilling, and hauling finally wrapped up in Bethesda, where crews removed 2.5 million pounds of rock to create the future connection between the Purple Line and the Metro Red Line. This was one of the most technically challenging pieces of the entire project, and its completion clears the way for station finishing and passenger circulation design.

6.  Capital Crescent Trail Reconstruction Takes Shape

Trail lovers rejoiced as bridges, underpasses, and landscaping emerged along the long‑awaited rebuilt Capital Crescent Trail. For many residents, 2025 was the first year the trail felt “real” again, no longer just a detour map, but rather a corridor coming back to life. Read more: Purple Line MD updates

7.  Small Business Support Tops $1.5 Million

Construction has been tough on corridor businesses, but the Small Business Grant Program continued to offer meaningful relief. With 150 recipients so far and funding committed through 2028, this program remained a bright spot in an otherwise challenging environment for local shops and restaurants. Read more: MDOT grant announcement

8.  Community Construction Fatigue and Calls for Transparency

Even with visible progress, 2025 brought renewed calls for clearer communication about timelines, risks, and remaining work. Montgomery County Councilmembers and community groups pressed for more transparency, reflecting both excitement for the project and understandable fatigue after years of disruption. Read more: Bethesda Magazine reporting on delays and community concerns

9.  Major Utility and Streetscape Work Wrapped Up

After years of lane closures, detours, and orange barrels, several major utility and roadway reconstruction projects finally wrapped up -- especially along Wayne Avenue, University Boulevard, and Riverdale Road. For many neighborhoods, 2025 felt like the year they “got their streets back.” At least, some of their streets! We expect 2026 to continue that trend with construction wrapping up and testing expanding.

10. Spring Street Bridge Closure Extends Into 2026

The Spring Street Bridge in downtown Silver Spring became one of the year’s most persistent construction headaches. Originally slated to reopen in 2025, the bridge remained closed throughout the year due to complex excavation work, utility relocations, and coordination with Metro, CSX, and MARC rail operations. By December, officials announced the closure would extend into March 2026 which understandably prompted frustration from commuters and nearby residents. Read More: Source of the Spring

Honorable Mentions:

• A Year-End Matching Gift Sparks Community Momentum

We’ll admit this one is a little close to home -- but it was genuinely one of the most talked‑about Purple Line stories in our circles. Purple Line NOW launched a $5,000 year‑end matching challenge and the community responded with enthusiasm! It was a heartening reminder that advocacy, transparency, and public engagement still matter deeply as the project enters its final stretch. Read more: Purple Line NOW Announcement

• Expanded Nighttime Testing Notifications

As testing increased, so did nighttime advisories -- especially in College Park and Riverdale Park. Read more: Testing advisory PDF

If we missed a story that had everyone talking in your corner of the Purple Line corridor, we’d love to hear about it! Every community experiences this project a little differently, and your on‑the‑ground perspective helps us keep these roundups lively, accurate, and connected to real neighborhood conversations. Feel free to send along the headlines, moments, or milestones that stood out where you live or work. We’re always eager to learn what’s buzzing in your neck of the woods!

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.

Happy Holidays!

As we wrap up 2025, we’ve got one last newsletter for you -- and it’s a good one! Inside, you’ll find a recap of our recent forum (with a link to the full video, in case you missed it), plus an update on our matching campaign. Time is ticking, though! Donations made before December 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar, but we need your help to unlock the match. Help us close the gap --your gift has double the impact!

Before anything else, we want to thank the hardworking crews we see out every day, in all kinds of weather. Their dedication and grit are what keep this project moving forward, and as we close out the year, we want to applaud them first and foremost!

We also want to take a moment to thank YOU for standing with us this past year. Your support, enthusiasm, and encouragement have kept Purple Line NOW moving forward. Truly, we couldn’t do this without you.

And, while this is our final newsletter of the year, we’ll be back in January with our much-loved Top Ten Purple Line Stories of 2025. Got a favorite contender? Send it our way ([email protected]) -- we love hearing from you!

Until then, enjoy the holidays, stay warm, and don’t forget to check out the forum wrap-up and matching campaign articles below.

From our Purple Line NOW family to yours, may your holiday season be full of connection and momentum -- thank you for riding along with us!

Gratefully,
Christine Scott
Executive Director, Purple Line NOW

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PLN?

We're Not There Yet -- But, With Your Help, We Will Be!

We’re still buzzing from one of our most successful Purple Line NOW forums yet -- neighbors, elected officials, project leaders, and advocates all came together for an evening of lively conversation and updates. If you missed it, keep reading for a recap below along with a link to the video so you can catch up!

But today, we want to talk about something equally exciting: our $5,000 Matching Campaign. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, every dollar you give will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000, but only until December 31! That means:

• Your $25 gift becomes $50
• Your $100 gift becomes $200
• Every gift is doubled until we reach our $5,000 goal!

Now, here’s the honest scoop: We have a ways to go before we unlock the full match, but that’s why this moment matters so much -- your gift right now has twice the power to keep Purple Line NOW moving forward.

We are deeply grateful for every single gift -- whether it’s $25, $100, or more. Each one fuels our work and keeps our forums and newsletters accessible to all. And to those of you who have supported us year after year, through thick and thin: you are the heartbeat of Purple Line NOW. Truly, we couldn’t do this without you.

Why Your Support Matters

Your contributions make possible:

• Hosting public forums that keep our community informed and connected
• Publishing newsletters with timely updates straight to your inbox
• Ensuring transparency and accountability as the Purple Line project moves forward
• Celebrating milestones and keeping the excitement alive as opening day approaches

We don’t rely on corporate underwriting, government grants, annual membership dues, or splashy gala events (though we do throw a pretty lively forum!) Instead, each year, we simply ask and each year, you make it possible.

Meet Our Fantastic Donors

We invite you to check out our amazing supporters on our Donor Recognition Page. Their generosity inspires us every day, and we hope you’ll consider joining them during this campaign.

We know this has been a challenging year for many in our community, especially with the government shutdown, and we understand that giving may not be possible for everyone right now. But if you are able, we would be deeply grateful for your consideration -- every gift will be doubled, helping to fuel Purple Line NOW into the new year. Thank you, thank you!

Recap of Purple Line NOW’s December 9 Forum: The Trains Are Rolling -- What Should We Know?

On December 9, Purple Line NOW hosted its latest forum bringing together project leaders, elected officials, and community advocates for an evening of updates, milestones, and discussion. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each of our distinguished presenters for sharing their time, expertise, and vision with our community.

• Ray Biggs II, Senior Project Director, Maryland Transit Administration
• Doran Bosso, CEO, Purple Line Transit Partners
• Kate Stewart, Montgomery County Council Member
• Eric C. Olson, Prince George’s County Council Member
• Maricela Cordova, MCDOT Special Assistant to the Director, Strategic Projects
• Victor Weissberg, Major Projects Manager, Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation

Missed the forum? You can watch the full recording now on our Purple Line NOW YouTube channel.

The forum was brimming with exciting updates, clear explanations, and plans for the years ahead, so much that it’s hard to condense into a simple list. Here’s just a small taste of what was shared, but we encourage you to watch the full video so you can hear all the information firsthand.

1. All 28 Light Rail Vehicles Delivered
   Yes, you read that right! All 28 trains have arrived in Maryland ahead of schedule! After years of anticipation, it’s almost surreal to see them lined up and ready. Each vehicle can carry over 400 passengers, with space for bikes and wheelchairs, and features low floors and wide doors for easy boarding.
2. Construction Progress Nears Completion
   The project is 84% complete, with 76% of track installed (all of Prince George’s County finished), 17 of 19 miles of sidewalks built, and 16 station canopies in place. All 21 stations are under construction, with platforms completed.
3. Dynamic Testing Underway
   Testing began in March and has already advanced across 40% of the alignment. Trains are now running from New Carrollton through College Park, with the next section planned to cross the University of Maryland campus.
4. Major Infrastructure Milestones
   Bethesda crews completed blasting and excavation this summer, removing 2.5 million pounds of rock to connect the Purple Line station to the Metro Red Line. Overhead catenary poles and wires are being installed across the alignment.
5. Trails and Bike Lanes Expanding
   The Purple Line includes completion of the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring, with new bridges, underpasses, and landscaping. Additional bike paths will connect through the University of Maryland campus and along Wayne Avenue.
6. Support for Small Businesses
   MDOT’s Small Business Grant Program has already awarded $1.5 million to 150 businesses impacted by construction, with funding continuing through 2028.
7. Partnership and Community Engagement
   Speakers emphasized the strength of collaboration among state agencies, counties, contractors, and community groups. Twice-yearly Community Advisory Team meetings and outreach events ensure residents remain informed and involved.
8. A Matching Gift Opportunity
   Purple Line NOW announced that an anonymous donor will match all contributions up to $5,000 through year’s end. This is a chance for supporters to double their impact and help sustain Purple Line NOW’s advocacy and outreach. See above article for all the details!

As we wrapped up the evening, one theme was clear: transformation is finally taking shape before our eyes. The trains we’ve been waiting so long to see are now stretching their legs on the tracks, and while testing will take time, it signals a welcome shift from years of heavy construction to the excitement of real progress. With updates from our county leaders and project partners, and with safety, reliability, and community partnership guiding every step, the Purple Line is steadily moving from vision to reality. We encourage you to watch the full forum video to catch all the details. Opening day in late 2027 may still be ahead, but the journey there is well underway!

Correction Note

During the forum, a comment was made regarding Montgomery County’s Georgetown Branch Right of Way purchase. To clarify: the County’s purchase of the Georgetown Branch right-of-way from CSX Transportation Inc. occurred on December 7, 1988, encouraged by both transit and trail advocates. This was followed in November 1989 with approval of using the Bethesda-Silver Spring right of way for both a light rail “trolley” and an adjacent trail.

Thank You to Our Sponsor

Purple Line NOW extends a big note of gratitude to our event sponsor, the Maryland Department of Transportation, for making this forum possible.

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.

On Tuesday night, we hosted one of our most successful Purple Line NOW forums yet. Neighbors, elected officials, project leaders, and advocates came together for an evening of lively discussion and updates. If you missed it, don’t worry – the next issue of our Purple Line NOW News will include a link so you can catch up.

Earlier this month, we announced our $5,000 Matching Campaign, and the response has been wonderful. But we’re not there yet, and we need your help to unlock the full match before December 31.

Thanks to an incredible anonymous donor, every dollar you give will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000. That means:

• Your $25 gift becomes $50
• Your $100 gift becomes $200
• Every gift is doubled until we reach our $5,000 goal!

Here’s the truth: forums like these aren’t possible without the generosity of our community. Every single gift -- whether it’s $10, $100, or more -- helps keep our forums and newsletters accessible to all. Purple Line NOW doesn’t rely on corporate underwriting, government grants, annual membership dues, or splashy gala events (though we do throw a pretty lively forum!), instead, each year, we simply ask. And each year, you make it possible!

Your support powers everything we do:

• Hosting public forums that keep our community informed and connected
• Publishing newsletters that deliver timely updates straight to your inbox
• Ensuring transparency and accountability as the Purple Line project moves forward
• Celebrating milestones and keeping the excitement alive as opening day approaches

If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect moment” to give, this is it. Your gift will go twice as far, fueling Purple Line NOW into the new year.

Click here to donate: MATCH MY GIFT!

One Day Left to Register!

We’re down to the wire -- this important Purple Line NOW Forum is happening TOMORROW (!) Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00 pm and registration is closing!

This isn’t just another forum. After years of advocacy, planning, and those “will-it-ever-happen?” moments, trains are finally rolling! That makes this one of the most important conversations we’ve ever hosted.

Date: Tuesday, December 9
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Virtual Forum: Free and open to all (but you must register in advance!)

Our program, “The Trains Are Rolling -- What Should We Know?!” will take you behind the scenes of this critical testing phase. We’ll cover safety protocols, pedestrian access, trail openings, station signage, and how our communities are preparing for the next chapter.

Meet the Panelists:

• Ray Biggs II, Senior Project Director, Maryland Transit Administration
• Doran Bosso, CEO, Purple Line Transit Partners
• Eric C. Olson, Prince George’s County Councilmember
• Kate Stewart, Montgomery County Councilmember
• Maricela Cordova, MCDOT Special Assistant to the Director, Strategic Projects
• Victor Weissberg, Major Projects Manager, Office of the Director, Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation

Please make sure to register today to be part of this milestone moment. Register Now — Don’t Miss Out!

In case you missed our newsletter on Wednesday, we are thrilled to announce that the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has joined Purple Line NOW as our featured sponsor for this milestone forum!

Their recognition and support mean the world to us -- it’s a powerful vote of confidence in the work we’ve been doing together to keep communities informed, engaged, and ready for the Purple Line’s next chapter.

MDOT’s sponsorship underscores just how important this moment is. With trains finally on the move, their support helps Purple Line NOW continue to keep these forums free and open to all -- a tradition we’re proud to uphold.

With MDOT’s sponsorship, your participation, and the momentum of our matching campaign, we’re a part of making history together. We are grateful!

STAY CONNECTED

Purple Line NOW
https://www.purplelinenow.com/