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.