Welcome back to Purple Line NOW News! We’re so glad you’re here. As April leans into May and the trees along the corridor finally shake off their winter sulk, the project seems to be doing the same -- stretching, greening up, and looking more and more like the transit line we’ve all been picturing for years.

If you’ve been out recently, you may have spotted a few signs that we’re entering a new season in more ways than one. Test trains are gliding through College Park and across the University of Maryland campus -- mostly overnight -- so sightings are becoming a bit of a local sport. Station canopies are rising, systems crews are everywhere, and the whole operation feels like it’s shifting from “construction zone” to “future transit line in motion.”

We’re also in the midst of a full round of Community Advisory Team meetings this spring, with updates on construction progress, testing timelines, safety messaging, and what neighbors can expect as summer work ramps up. Questions about noise, detours, and station access abound -- no surprise as the project becomes more visible (and audible) by the week.

Meanwhile, the Purple Line is nearing the 90 percent completion mark, with major civil work largely wrapped and systems integration taking center stage. Work zones and detours remain active -- from catenary installation in Chevy Chase and Lyttonsville to utility work in Silver Spring and ongoing activity at the Bethesda shaft and Elm Street site. And yes, the opening window still sits at late 2027, consistent with MDOT MTA’s current projections.

In this issue, we’ll walk you through the latest milestones, share highlights from the CAT meetings, flag a few traffic and access changes to keep on your radar, and point you toward some good reads and photos from around the corridor.

We always love hearing from you! If you have questions, ideas for future topics, photos from along the alignment, or feedback on this newsletter, please reach out. Your notes and observations help us understand what matters most to you and keep this feeling like a conversation rather than a one‑way update.

So grab whatever you’re sipping these days -- iced coffee, lemonade, or something celebratory -- and settle in for a friendly spring tour of what’s been happening along the Purple Line.

Warmly,
Christine

WHAT'S HAPPENING!

A Warm Thank You and a Gentle Ask

We want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed during our big fundraising push last winter. Your generosity keeps Purple Line NOW going -- from producing this newsletter, to hosting public forums, to tracking and sharing information that might otherwise be hard to find in one place. We truly could not do this work without you.

We operate on a very lean budget, and while contributions are still coming in, they have slowed a bit this spring. If you have already given, please know how much we appreciate you. If you have not had the chance yet, we hope you will consider supporting us when it fits your circumstances. Even modest gifts make a real difference in our ability to stay engaged, informed, and responsive on behalf of the corridor.

Construction Progress -- The Project Takes Shape

If you have been watching the corridor over the years, the current moment feels different. As we mentioned, the project is nearing 90 percent completion, with 87 percent of track installed and all trackwork finished in Prince George’s County. That is a significant milestone for a project that has weathered contractor changes, cost increases, and schedule shifts.

On the ground, that progress shows up in tangible ways. Station platforms and canopies are emerging, retaining walls and bridges are complete or nearly so, and crews are turning their attention to finishing touches like lighting, signage, and landscaping. While there is still plenty of work to do, the overall picture is less “construction site” and more “transit line in progress.”

The remaining work is heavily focused on systems -- the complex web of power, signals, communications, and controls that must function seamlessly before the Purple Line can open to riders. It is painstaking, detailed work, but it is also the work that brings the line to life.

Testing Update -- Trains, Wires, and Signals

Testing is where the project’s visible progress really comes into focus. Over the past month, test trains have been running more frequently across the University of Maryland campus and in College Park. These runs are not just for show -- they are carefully planned exercises to confirm that the vehicles accelerate, brake, and communicate correctly with the signals and overhead catenary system.

Each segment of the alignment will go through a similar process. Crews test the newly installed rail, overhead wires, onboard systems, traffic signals, and gates, gradually layering in more complex scenarios. The goal is to identify and resolve issues now, long before passengers are on board.

Because the traffic control systems are not yet fully active in test areas, you may still see police officers and flaggers managing intersections during testing windows. The project team emphasizes that once testing begins in a section, the public should treat that area as live and expect to see trains at any time, day or night.

Traffic and Access Impacts -- What to Watch Right Now

Based on the latest MDOT MTA detour and construction updates, here are a few areas to keep an eye on:

• Chevy Chase Lake Drive -- Expect intermittent lane closures as utility work continues.
• Wisconsin Avenue to Elm Street Pedestrian Access -- The pedestrian detour remains in place, with routes via Waverly Street and Hampden Lane.
• Bethesda Overnight Work -- Overhead wire installation and concrete pours may occur between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., so some nighttime activity is likely.
• Lyttonsville and Greater Woodside -- Overhead catenary system installation continues, with occasional nighttime work.
• Spring Street Bridge in Silver Spring -- Ongoing work may require additional lane shifts as crews advance structural and finishing work.
• College Park and UMD -- Overnight testing may affect noise levels and traffic control near test zones, particularly around campus.

If you live, work, or travel through these areas, it is worth building in a little extra time and keeping an eye on MDOT MTA’s construction alerts for the latest details.

Community Advisory Team Meetings

As the Purple Line moves deeper into its testing and pre‑operations phase, this spring’s Community Advisory Team (CAT) meetings have offered a valuable window into how the project is taking shape behind the scenes. Each CAT session focuses on a specific segment of the alignment, but several themes have emerged across all meetings -- painting a picture of a system steadily transitioning from construction to operation.

At the heart of these updates is the Glenridge Operations & Maintenance Facility, now fully active as the headquarters for Purple Line Transit Operators. This is where the day‑to‑day life of the system will be managed: operator training, vehicle dispatching, communications, and maintenance. The facility’s wash bay, storage tracks, and repair areas are all up and running, supporting the fleet of 28 light rail vehicles, which were delivered ahead of schedule in late 2025.

Those vehicles have already completed their initial rounds of testing at Glenridge, where crews verified everything from propulsion and braking to overhead power connectivity and communication links between the trains and the operations center. With that foundational work complete, the project has shifted into the more visible -- and corridor‑wide -- phase of testing.

Testing is unfolding in phases along the alignment, beginning with the dedicated test track and progressing section by section through 2026. Each area undergoes a rigorous checklist: newly installed rail, overhead catenary wires, on‑board systems, traffic signals, gates, and the full suite of operational technologies that must work seamlessly before the system can open.

Because the traffic control systems are not yet active in these test zones, Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) crews are stationed at key intersections. That means police officers, flaggers, and occasional short‑term closures during the overnight testing window -- typically 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays. The project team emphasizes that once testing begins in a section, the public should treat the area as “live,” with trains appearing periodically even if construction crews are still present.

To help communities prepare, the outreach team has been busy. Residents near testing areas may have already seen door hangers, variable message signs, and school safety presentations. The University of Maryland community has received targeted outreach as well, including signage and coordinated communication with campus partners. A new Testing and Safety page on PurpleLineMD.com brings together key information and reminders.

The message is simple but essential:

• Always expect a train.
• Use designated crossings.
• Never walk, bike, or park on the tracks.
• Treat all overhead wires as energized—these carry 1,500 volts DC and are extremely dangerous.

As the Purple Line edges closer to opening day, these CAT meetings are becoming one of the best ways to stay informed about what’s happening in your neighborhood. If you’d like to take a deeper look at the materials presented, we invite you to view the full slideshow available on the Purple Line website.

Photos from Around the Corridor

Thank you to MDOT MTA for sharing these photos. It is always encouraging to see how far the project has come!

Some Articles of Interest

If you would like to dive a bit deeper, here are two recent pieces that offer additional perspective and visuals:

• A feature on the latest Purple Line progress and context from Washingtonian:
  https://washingtonian.com/2026/04/03/the-latest-on-marylands-upcoming-purple-line/
• A photo‑rich look at the project from Greater Greater Washington:
  https://ggwash.org/view/102718/click-here-for-more-purple-line-pictures

Both are worth a read if you enjoy seeing how the project is being covered and photographed beyond our usual updates.

Beyond the Corridor -- Baltimore Red Line Meetings

For those who live in or keep an eye on the Baltimore region, MDOT MTA has announced a series of public open houses in May to discuss the future of the Baltimore Red Line. The agency is evaluating options for phasing the project and considering mode alternatives, including bus rapid transit, in light of funding uncertainties.

These meetings are an opportunity for community members to weigh in on how the project should move forward, balancing needs, budget, and timing. Details on dates, locations, and additional events are available here.

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