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

• What's Happening at PLN?
  • Purple Line NOW Surpasses Fundraising Goal!
• Happening Along the Purple Line Corridor
  • Spring Community Advisory Team (CAT) Meetings Scheduled
• Construction Updates
  • Dynamic Testing for Maryland's Purple Line Light Rail Vehicles is Underway!
    
    

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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PLN?

Purple Line NOW Surpasses Fundraising Goal, Thanks to Your Incredible Support!

We are overjoyed to announce the resounding success of our "Show Your Love" February fundraising campaign! Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our supporters, we not only achieved our goal of $6,000, but far surpassed it! Individuals like you contributed an astonishing $4,034 in donations, and every single dollar was matched by a generous donor, bringing our grand total to an incredible $8,068!

We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our donors—people like you who believe in the power of public transportation to strengthen our communities. We couldn’t have done this without your contributions which will enable us to continue our mission of advocating for a successful Purple Line and a transit-friendly future.

The funds raised this winter will sustain our efforts throughout this spring and early summer as we plan an exciting fall forum, continue producing our informative newsletters, and work diligently to champion transit-friendly policies. These resources will also help us support Purple Line-adjacent bills as they make their way through our general assembly.

If you didn't have an opportunity to give (or it slipped to the bottom of your to do pile!), we are always in need of financial support and appreciate every gift, no matter the season. You can donate by clicking on the purple "DONATE TODAY" link below.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Together, we are making a difference—one step closer to a brighter, better-connected Maryland!

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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 matched 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 Love Our Donors! 

Featured Donors
The Malloy and Sanders Family
Tina, Don, and Jessie Slater
Purple Line Corridor Coalition

Supporters
Elizabeth Barbehenn
Ben Ross
Eric Talbot

Engineers
Brian and Bee Ditzler
Isiah Leggett
John Robinson
Nancy and Rob Soreng

Conductors
Christine Scott and JohnR Llewellyn

Commuters
Anne Ambler & John Fay, Gus Bauman, Marney Bruce, John Carroll, Margaret Chasson, Elaine Emling & Michael Jenner, Margaret Greene, Gerrit Knaap, Jodie Kulpa-Eddy, Francine Meyer, Anita Morrison, Rodolfo Perez, Mark Perlman, Tom Quinn, Jerry Withers

Passengers
Glen Bottoms, M. G. Diamond, Patrick Dougherty, William & Kay Gilcher, Jennifer Judd, Tom Pogue, James Riley

HAPPENING ALONG THE PURPLE LINE CORRIDOR

Spring Community Advisory Team (CAT) Meetings Scheduled

The Spring 2025 Community Advisory Team meetings have been scheduled. As always, you can find the transcripts of the meetings at the project website.

Riverdale Park/New Carrollton/Glenridge CAT Meeting #14

Thursday, May 1, 2025 6:00 PM

College Park CAT Meeting #14

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 6:00 PM

University Boulevard CAT Meeting #14

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 6:00 PM

Long Branch CAT Meeting #14

Thursday, April 24, 2025 6:00 PM

Silver Spring CAT Meeting #14

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 6:00 PM

Greater Lyttonsville/Woodside CAT Meeting #14

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 6:00 PM

Bethesda/Chevy Chase CAT Meeting #14

Thursday, May 8, 2025 6:00 PM

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & PROJECT FEATURES

Dynamic Testing for Maryland's Purple Line Light Rail Vehicles is Underway!

Photo courtesy of MDOT MTA

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news as we release this newsletter—dynamic testing for the Purple Line light rail vehicles has officially begun!

This milestone has been years in the making and marks a significant step forward for the project. According to a press release issued earlier today, "This phase of testing will take place on a one-mile test track located next to the project’s Operations and Maintenance Facility along Veterans Parkway in Glenridge, Maryland. All eight light rail vehicles currently onsite are ready to begin dynamic testing."

In the most recent Purple Line newsletter, Ray Biggs, II, Senior Project Director for the Maryland Transit Administration, shared that the project is now 76% complete—more than three-quarters of the way to opening day! Currently, 20 stations are under construction, and more than 67,500 of the planned 193,100 feet of track have been laid. Traffic along University Boulevard has also shifted to the final phase of construction, allowing track work to progress in the center of the roadway.

Director Biggs emphasized the progress, noting that eight of the 28 light rail vehicles are already on site, with the remaining 20 prepared to make their way to Maryland. We know that as track construction nears completion and the bulk of the heavy work wraps up, the project will transition to a quieter phase, with mandatory testing becoming the focus. 

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld echoed the excitement, stating: "This is a monumental moment for the Purple Line as the project begins systems testing and brings us closer to service. With the project at 76% complete, seeing the light rail vehicles on the tracks is a welcome sight that shows our continued progress. Thank you to the team for their hard work and the public for your continued patience as we move closer to finishing the Purple Line."

Want to see the progress for yourself? [Watch a video of the testing here.]

This is a tremendous day for the Purple Line project! Let’s take a moment to congratulate the dedicated crews and staff whose hard work is turning this vision into reality!

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