After yesterday's Maryland primary, much of the focus of the news these past few weeks has been on the candidates, campaigns, and the results. We know there's a lot to read today for those tracking local news, so we will focus mainly on construction, which has been making strides since our first update.

We have been glad to hear back from our readers, particularly those nearby construction areas, and will keep working to connect community members with existing information when available or government or concessionaire officials when helpful. As ever, if you have any feedback on how we can improve the newsletter, drop us a line at [email protected]. 

CONSTRUCTION NEWS TO KNOW

Manchester Place Station, Today and Tomorrow

Excavation is proceeding for the three-tenths of a mile Plymouth Street tunnel. The tunnel, necessary because of the significant hills in the area, will also serve as the location of the Manchester Place Station, allowing easy access to the Purple Line for the wide range of housing nearby.

The picture above shows the present dig site while the artist rendering below shows the planned station once the line has begun operations in 2022.

For more artist renderings, maps, and efforts to minimize disruption, see this focused briefing from 2017, and for the bigger picture see the Community Advisory Team presentation notes for Long Branch.

Work to Replace Lyttonsville Place Bridge has Begun

The 6-month closure of Lyttonsville bridge began on June 18th. As pictures show, demolition work is already underway and the concessionaire has announced that the demolition work will continue into the weekend this Saturday, June 30 from 9 am-5 pm.

Replacing the bridge is necessary to allow for the construction of the Lyttonsville Purple Line station and to allow for trains and the Capital Crescent Trail, as well as improving pedestrian access. For more pictures, see Dave Dildine's coverage at WTOP and for details about next steps and the final result, see the Community Advisory Team for Woodside/Lyttonsville.

During the construction of the replacement bridge, drivers are encouraged to use the detour pictured below to get around the closure.

Want More Construction News?

As you know, Purple Line NOW is a nonprofit advocacy organization - we are not the entity constructing the project (that would be the Purple Line Transit Partners), though we do work closely with them to keep abreast of the latest news. Our mission is to help get answers for you as questions bubble up. Send us an email at [email protected] and we'll connect you with the folks who can give you the information you need. In the meantime, if you haven't already done so, you should sign up for Purple Line construction updates from MTA - you'll receive timely and location specific information for your residence or place of work.

PURPLE LINE NOW NEWS AND EVENTS

Next Envisioning the Purple Line Forum Announced!

The next forum is at the Park and Planning Building in Riverdale Park on Monday, July 23, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. Watch your email for a special invitation coming soon - the event is free and open to the public, but you'll need to reserve your seat as space is limited to the first 100 folks. We are thrilled that the new CEO of the Purple Line Transit Partners, Fred Craig, will join us as a speaker along with Prince George's County Council Chair, Dannielle Glaros, and Director of the Purple Line Corridor Coalition, Gerrit Knaap. We are working on the full slate of speakers right now and will announce them soon, but do put the date on your calendar now!

PURPLE LINE NOW ACTION

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.

Become a Sponsor

Please take a moment, especially if you haven't given this year, to become a sponsor of our Envisioning the Purple Line series. Your name or your business name will be highlighted at all of the fora in the Envisioning the Purple Line series this year, as well on our website. Sponsoring is easy - and we are appreciative of all donations, large and small. Here's the link to get you started: Yes, I'll help Purple Line NOW!