SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Purple Line is coming, and construction for the New Carrollton-to-Bethesda light rail line could begin as early as November.
“We have overcome nearly all of the obstacles,” said Maryland Secretary of Transportation Pete Rahn at an informational meeting hosted by the group Purple Line NOW in Silver Spring.
Purple Line Transit Partners, the team of private companies that will build and operate the line, is still finishing up the project design, and more rights of way need to be acquired by the state. The final step will come in July when the Federal Transit Administration approves the full funding agreement that will secure $900 million for the $2.6 billion project.
Rahn touted the use of a public-private partnership, or P3, for the project and said it is beneficial for the state because the Purple Line Transit Partners will share the risk when it comes to cost escalations and time delays in building the line. The P3 also must uphold the conditions of the contract with the state and meet deadlines, or it will face penalties.
“We can frankly hold the private contractors, operators, to a higher standard than we can hold our own people,” Rahn said.
As construction plans are finalized, the state will focus on informing homeowners, businesses and commuters about the impacts the project. Among the concerns are traffic tie-ups, as well noise and dust during construction.
“We work to limit it, but cannot avoid impacts,” said Maryland Transit Administration Executive Director for Transit Development and Delivery Charles Lattuca.
Lattuca said eight community advisory teams will be set up along the line — four in Montgomery County the remaining four in Prince George’s County — to help educate the community about what construction will bring.
“It’s going to be very important that the concessionaire [Public Private Partnership] and the state communicate with affected neighborhoods,” said Montgomery County Council member George Leventhal.
Construction is expected to begin late this year with utility relocation. Much of the 16-mile line will run along popular trails, which the state said will stay open during construction and after the Purple Line begins operating.
“I believe it will be a quality facility, and I hope we can surprise some people with what it actually is when they have the opportunity to use it after the project,” Rahn said.
