In today's edition of Purple Line NOW News, here's what you'll find:
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What's Happening at PLN?
- Next Purple Line Forum
- Thank You for Continuing to Support PLN
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Happening Along the Purple Line Corridor
- Construction Highlights
- Montgomery County Detour and Closure Map
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Construction Updates and Project Features
- Purple Line Marks Major Milestone!
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PLN? |
Next Purple Line NOW Forum
The next forum is in the works and we can confirm it will be an update on the entire corridor -- with so much activity along the alignment, there will be lots to learn about what is happening with the project!
Within the next week, we will announce the date of the forum and how you can reserve your virtual seat. As always, our events are free and open to the public and media, but all seats must be reserved in advance, so keep an eagle eye out for the big announcement!
**If you or your business would like to sponsor this event, please let us know as soon as possible!**
Thank You for Your Continuing Support!
Our need is ongoing - we operate on a budget between $20,000 and $25,000 each year, so please know that your donation in any amount is welcome and necessary for us to continue our work. You can easily donate by clicking the Purple "Donate" button below. Not sure if you've given in the past twelve months? Check our website to see if your name is listed. Thank you from all of us here at Purple Line NOW!
HAPPENING ALONG THE PURPLE LINE CORRIDOR |
Construction Highlights - Montgomery County
Montgomery County Detour and Closure Map
To view all Montgomery County detours and closures associated with the Purple Line, please click this link.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & PROJECT FEATURES |
Purple Line Marks Major Milestone!
Members of Purple Line NOW's Executive Committee joined other community leaders, county, state, and elected officials, and builders to celebrate the delivery of the project's first two rail cars -- and they are GORGEOUS!
By now, if you follow us on Facebook and other social media, you have seen the photos from the celebration, held at the brand new Glenridge Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) last Thursday morning. It was a poignant morning for so many who have been advocating for the Purple Line for years, and for many, decades.
(L-R): PLN President, Ralph Bennett; Montgomery County Councilmember Kate Stewart; PLN Executive Director, Christine Scott; PLN Treasurer, Tina Slater; Montgomery County Council President, Evan Glass; PLN Executive Committee Member, Barbara Sanders; Donna Nelson; PLN Vice President, Greg Sanders
Walking into the facility -- which was built on the same spot that saw the ground-breaking ceremony a few years ago -- a surprise awaited us and anticipation grew as project leaders officially unveiled one of the two new cars just delivered to the facility! Can we just say, the colors are stunning, the interiors are swanky, and far more importantly, functional and roomy! Each car is 142 feet long (nearly half as long as a football field!) and will hold 432 passengers with lots of space for bikes and wheelchairs.
Check out this terrific video by Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass to catch a glimpse of what the inside of the cars will look like!
The morning started with each of the project's leaders talking about what the Purple Line will mean to the region. FTA Administrator Terry Garcia Crews praised the hard work and tenacity required to advance the project and noted that the FTA has contributed $1.2 billion to help make the project possible.
Others who spoke included (L-R): Ray Biggs II, Purple Line Senior Project Director, Maryland Transit Administration; Doran Bosso, CEO of Purple Line Transit Partners; Holly Arnold, Administrator, Maryland Transit Administration; and Paul Wiedefeld, Maryland Secretary of Transportation.
“Celebrating the arrival of the Purple Line's first light rail vehicle is the latest significant milestone in getting this much-needed new transit line up and running," said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld in a press statement. “This new light rail vehicle embodies the many benefits transit provides from connecting communities to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The progress being made is because of the commitment and effort over the past year and a half to expedite work along the alignment."
Administrator Arnold highlighted the connections to MARC and Amtrak that the Purple Line will bring and noted the hard work being done to bring the project to completion. It was then time for the big reveal with Project Director Ray Biggs exclaiming, "Maryland, we have a train!" Catch the cool unveiling video at the link.
We hope the photos below of the cars and celebration will help convey the excitement everyone in the building had upon reaching this milestone. We share this huge achievement with the workers and community leaders, elected officials, and especially you, our Purple Line supporters and advocates, who have cheered the project on with patience (and some headaches), as we await the day when we can all take that first ride in one of these amazing cars!
Some of the hardworking crews that are making it happen!
Photo Courtesy: Donna Nelson
Photo Courtesy: Greg Sanders
PLN President Ralph Bennett
L-R: PLN Board Vice President, Greg Sanders; Maryland State Delegate David Moon; PLN Board Member Barbara Sanders; Donna Nelson
The press was there to cover the event, so if you are wanting more (and who could possibly get enough of these awesome vehicles?!), click on the links of some outlets we noted were in attendance.
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