PG County Pledges Another $20M to Purple Line

Prince George’s County will pony up an additional $20 million toward Purple Line construction costs, while Montgomery County leaders have agreed to offer up another $40 for the rail line.

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III said Friday leaders have agreed to increase the county’s contribution by $20 million in exchange for construction of the Purple Line starting in Prince George’s County. Also, the state has agreed that the primary command center will be located in the county, he said.

Previously, Prince George’s County had committed $100 million toward the project.

The increased county pledges come after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan cut state spending on the proposed 16-mile light rail line extending from Bethesda to New Carrollton. Current estimates to build the line stand at $2.4 billion.

In June, Hogan surprised some supporters by giving the green light for the Purple Line to proceed, but he trimmed the state’s share of the cost from nearly $700 million to $168 million, The Washington Post reported.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett in July pledged an additional $40 million in county money to the Purple Line, on top of $177 million in previously committed in-kind contributions, reports The Washington Post. The one catch: the state can’t ask for the money for five to six years.

When in operation, the Purple Line will provide a direct connection to the Metrorail Red, Green and Orange Lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park, and New Carrollton. The Purple Line would also connect to MARC, Amtrak, and local bus services. Twenty-one stations are planned.

“County Executive Rushern Baker’s announcement today that the County has reached an agreement with the State on funding for the Purple Line is a big deal,” said Sen. Jim Rosapepe, D-College Park. “The Purple Line will be transformative for Maryland’s Washington suburbs, particularly the older communities in Prince George’s and Montgomery County. The University of Maryland at College Park will be a particular beneficiary -- five of the stops will be on or adjacent to the campus.”