ROCKVILLE, Md. 鈥� The long-awaited Purple Line, which would connect New Carrollton, College Park, Silver Spring and Bethesda, is finally taking a big step toward construction. But Montgomery County鈥檚 leader says there are still more details to be worked out.
鈥淚鈥檓 delighted,鈥� County Executive Ike Leggett said shortly after. 鈥淸But] we still have some further discussions to make sure that all of the pieces are consistent with our plan here locally.鈥�
Prince George鈥檚 County Executive Rushern Baker also welcomes the selection of a group to build and operate the 21-stop, 16.2-mile light rail line connecting the two counties.
鈥淭he Purple Line is an important state transportation project that will spur economic development, reduce traffic and lead to greater environmental sustainability for Prince George鈥檚, Montgomery and neighboring counties throughout central and southern Maryland,鈥� Baker says in a statement.
鈥淭his project has been in the works for well over a decade,鈥� the statement continues. 鈥淭oday鈥檚 announcement is welcomed news to begin construction, create jobs, and finally bringing the Purple Line to fruition for our residents, businesses and visitors.鈥�
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has, and required greater contributions from Montgomery and Prince George鈥檚 counties before the state selected the group that will build the system.
The Board of Public Works is expected to take up the contract next month, and construction could begin later this year.
鈥淭here are some bits and pieces that we have to make sure that we are consistent on and we fully understand, but it鈥檚 a good sign for us because it has the movement of the project going forward on the federal, state and local levels,鈥� Leggett says.
鈥淲e鈥檝e already planned development; the question now is that we have to make sure that transportation is here to accommodate the development that we鈥檝e planned,鈥� he says.
The Purple Line will connect with, but, the Metro system when it opens by 2022.
Prince George鈥檚 County Council Chair Derrick Davis says in a statement that the council is 鈥渆lated鈥� that the Purple Line is moving forward.
鈥淭he Purple Line, a transformative project which will link our communities and job centers together, is Prince George鈥檚 County鈥檚 number one transit priority,鈥� the statement said. 鈥淲e deeply appreciate the State鈥檚 commitment to start project construction in New Carrollton and ensure that the project鈥檚 principal operations center will be in Prince George鈥檚 County.鈥�
Montgomery County Councilman Roger Berliner recognizes that construction will be disruptive, especially in the area he represents, where homes back up against the Capital Crescent Trail in Chevy Chase.
Still, he says, the region needs the Purple Line, Metro, the county鈥檚 and other transportation options to fit together so that people have choices to help them get out of traffic jams.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very positive day for Montgomery County and for its future,鈥� Berliner says.
鈥淚 get that this Capital Crescent Trail has been bucolic and wonderful and it runs right past your house, and would you rather have that or a light rail system? Actually, I鈥檇 probably want the trees if I were them, too, but the larger public good demands this,鈥� he says.
After years of planning and delays, Berliner says, many people thought this day would never come.
