Purple Line Open House to Outline Project Changes

Prince George’s County residents may attend an informational public open house to discuss recent scope changes for the Purple Line light rail project.

The Maryland Transit Administration will present the project changes, followed by opportunities for one-on-one discussion with MTA project leaders.

The Purple Line is a proposed rail line that will run from Bethesda to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County. The Purple Line would also connect to MARC, Amtrak, and local bus services. Twenty-one stations are planned.

Current estimates to build the line stand at $2.4 billion.

The open house will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Building, 6600 Kenilworth Ave. in Riverdale.

Adjustments to the Purple Line’s scope were made after a thorough review to identify ways to reduce project costs. A detailed list of the scope changes can be found at www.purplelinemd.com.

After Gov. Larry Hogan cut state funding to the project this summer, Prince George’s County leaders agreed to commit 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 leaders agreed to increase the county’s contribution 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.

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.