Hello, Purple Line NOW Friends!

Our latest Purple Line NOW newsletter just dropped below, and it’s packed with updates, insights, and a few surprises we think you’ll love. Whether you're tracking progress, curious about community impact, or just want to stay in the loop, our newsletter has something for everyone. So grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let us catch you up on all things Purple Line!

We’re also hard at work planning our next virtual forum entitled "The Trains Are Rolling — What Should We Know?!" We will confirm the date soon, along with a reservation link so you can join us from wherever you are. We have decided to host the forum following the next round of Community Advisory Team meetings later this fall. Keep your eyes on the lookout!

As mentioned in our previous newsletter, we’re trying something new this time -- asking you to be part of the event as a sponsor for our upcoming forum! Whether it’s your name, your business, or your organization, we’ll give a warm shout-out during the event to recognize your support.

And hey, even if sponsoring isn’t your thing, our piggy bank’s looking a little light these days, so any contribution -- big or small -- would mean the world to Purple Line NOW. Details are below. Thanks for being in our corner!

Other ways you can help -- share our newsletter to your mailing lists or socials! We’re so glad you’re part of this journey. Happy reading!

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

• What's Happening at PLN?
  • Help Us Keep the Conversation Going!
• Happening Along the Purple Line Corridor
  • Community Advisory Committee (CAT) Meetings to Resume
  • Purple Line Related Articles of Interest
  • Eastern Silver Spring Event You Might Be Interested In
• Construction Updates
  • Heads-up for Sligo Creek Parkway Travelers
  • Purple Line Progress Update: On Track!
  • Then and Now: A Decade of Determination!

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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?

Help Us Keep the Conversation Going!

We’re back with another lively, info-packed Purple Line NOW virtual forum and we’d love your help to make it happen!

As you may know, we’re a teeny-tiny team (one staff member and a whole lot of volunteer elbow grease!) We’re not backed by any company or foundation -- no gala dinners, no auctions, just community support and a whole lot of heart. What we *do* have is a passionate community, a commitment to transparency, and a bunch of love for this transit project that’s connecting neighborhoods and transforming lives.

Our forums are always free and open to all -- neighbors, press, transit nerds, and curious minds alike. But they are only possible thanks to generous folks like you. This time, we’re inviting our supporters to help sponsor the forum! It’s a fun and meaningful way to support our work and get a little recognition while you’re at it.

So if you’ve ever learned something new from our newsletter, found a solution through our outreach, or just believe in the power of public transit, we hope you will take a moment to consider a donation to Purple Line NOW! 

Here’s the scoop:

**$2,500 Trailblazer** Say a few words at the top of the event + top billing everywhere
**$1,000 Connector** Logo or name featured on slides, registration, and post-event shoutouts
**$500 Momentum Partner** Name on slides + newsletter and social media mentions
**$250 Neighbor Ally** Name on slides + newsletter thank-you
**$100 Community Builder** Group thank-you slide + newsletter mention
**$50 Forum Friend** Group thank-you slide + name in newsletter

Every single gift, large and small, helps us keep these forums free, informative, and welcoming. 

Why Your Support Matters: With your help, Purple Line NOW can continue to advocate for this essential transit project that connects communities, reduces congestion, and promotes sustainable transportation. Your donation will directly support:

• Annual Community Forums: Engaging with key Purple Line and community leaders.
• Bi-weekly Newsletters: Keeping you informed with important updates and construction information.
• Community-wide Information Sharing: Through our quarterly board and monthly executive committee meetings.
• Connecting and Problem-Solving: Helping connect residents and workers with the right person on the project to solve problems or bring attention to an issue.

We appreciate the generous support of all of our donors!

HAPPENING ALONG THE PURPLE LINE CORRIDOR

Community Advisory Committee (CAT) Meetings to Resume

Upcoming fall Community Advisory Team (CAT) meetings will begin Monday, September 29, offering community members a chance to hear directly from project leaders, ask questions, and see the latest progress:

Meetings will occur virtually between 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Specific dates for each CAT area are listed below.

Monday, September 29: Riverdale Park, New Carrollton, Glenridge
Tuesday, September 30: College Park
Tuesday, October 7: Long Branch
Wednesday, October 8: Bethesda / Chevy Chase
Thursday, October 9: University Boulevard
Tuesday, October 14: Lyttonsville / Woodside
Thursday, October 16: Silver Spring

Articles of Interest

The Purple Line: Why Aren’t We There Yet?
**By Louis Peck | Bethesda Magazine | September 18, 2025**

Despite nearly a decade of construction, the Purple Line light-rail project remains years behind schedule and billions over budget. This in-depth article traces the tangled history of delays, legal battles, and shifting partnerships that have plagued the 16.2-mile corridor from Bethesda to New Carrollton. With a projected opening now pushed to late 2027, the piece explores what went wrong and what is going well on this long-awaited transit line. [Read the full article]

MCDOT Plans Bike Lanes for Piney Branch Road
**By Elia Griffin | Bethesda Magazine | September 9, 2025**

Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation is moving forward with plans for separated bike lanes along Piney Branch Road, connecting key trails and improving pedestrian safety. With construction targeted for Fall 2026 and completion by Spring 2027, this project aims to complement the Purple Line rollout and enhance multimodal access in East Silver Spring and Long Branch. [Read the full article]

In Case You Missed It
**By Trains Are Us | YouTube | August 2025**

Several of you sent this YouTube video to us and we thought we'd share in case you missed it. 

Eastern Silver Spring Events You Might Be Interested In

As the Purple Line edges closer to reality, Montgomery Planning is ramping up efforts to shape the future of housing, public spaces, and connectivity along the eastern side of the corridor, especially near the future Manchester Place station.

The next upcoming event offers a chance for local voices to help guide how this vital infrastructure integrates into the community:

September 25: Open House Near Manchester Place Station, Highland View Elementary School, 9010 Providence Avenue, Drop in anytime between 7:00–9:00 p.m.

This open house is especially relevant to Purple Line NOW readers. Planning staff will present ideas and gather input on how the Manchester Place station can best serve the community through improved connections, housing opportunities, and local amenities. Register here (encouraged but not required)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & PROJECT FEATURES

Heads-up for Sligo Creek Parkway Travelers

Starting around September 22, 2025, Montgomery Parks will temporarily shut down the stretch of Sligo Creek Parkway between Piney Branch Road and Wayne Avenue for roughly two months. This closure supports ongoing work on the Maryland Transit Administration’s Purple Line light rail system.

Crews will be installing rail tracks and redesigning the intersection to accommodate the new transit line. At the same time, Montgomery Parks will tackle several infrastructure upgrades, including culvert replacements, improved signage, traffic calming measures, and guardrail fixes.

Getting around: Detour signs will guide both drivers and pedestrians safely around the construction zones. The Sligo Creek Trail will stay open, but visitors are encouraged to stay alert and follow posted detours. For the latest updates and full details, check out the official construction page.

Purple Line Progress Update: On Track!

The Purple Line continues to make impressive strides, with the project now more than 80% complete. As of this month, 65% of the track has been installed across the corridor, including a major milestone: 100% of the track is now in place in Prince George’s County! This achievement marks a significant step toward bringing reliable, east-west transit to our communities.

We’re thrilled to share a recent photo from Jerry Withers capturing visible progress at the Silver Spring Transit Center!

Then and Now: A Decade of Determination!

Nearly ten years ago, Purple Line NOW rallied elected officials and community leaders for a press conference inside the future tunnel at the Silver Spring library stop -- calling out costly delays and urging swift legal action after a judge halted the project. Just weeks later, the decision was overturned, reigniting momentum.

Today, tracks are finally being laid in that very spot. The recent photo, captured by Webb Smedley, stands as a powerful testament to persistence, partnership, and progress.

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