Purple Line NOW welcomes the news that a top candidate has emerged from the competition to be named the builder that completes the Purple Line! We want to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to Maryland Transit Solutions (MTS)! MTS is comprised of Dragados USA and OHL USA. This selection will be forwarded to the Maryland Board of Public Works for final approval soon.

Purple Line NOW Board President Ralph Bennett celebrated the news, "Congratulations to Maryland Transit Solutions! The company brings important experience to this project and has been putting in a lot of work in preparation for the bid. This is an exciting development for all those in our region that have long awaited an east-west connection between the four branches of Metrorail and three MARC lines! Once the final steps are in place, we look forward to working with the new builder to track key developments and keep the public informed."

PLN's Vice President Greg Sanders added, "We would also like to congratulate the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Concessionaire for their teamwork in determining a top bid within a few weeks of submission by the competitors. The project team has been busy not just bringing in a new builder, but also working at utility relocation and other intermediate steps along the corridor. Despite the challenging process, especially in a time of supply chain disruption, we are grateful that neither team has waivered in their commitment to see this vital project through. The new bid will come with updated costs and schedule estimates, and we look forward to learning learning more as the new contract goes to the Board of Public Works for approval. That said, the $2 billion in investment that has occurred along the corridor is an important reminder that the project is already paying dividends for our region."

Treasurer Tina Slater also added, that while selecting the new builder is critical to moving forward, "it also means we can move forward on some of the construction disruption that were extended by the delays. We're glad that all the competitors put in the work of visiting the corridor, and for thoughtfully thinking through how to see the project to completion."

We are grateful for this early Thanksgiving Day news, and looking forward to meeting the new builder and getting back on track to finish the project. You can read the full press release here.