The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is providing USD 1.76 billion low-interest loan for Maryland Purple LRT project, representing up to 33% financing of the USD 5.9 billion in eligible project costs. The new loan replaces a previous USD 874.6 million loan closed in June 2016.
“The Purple Line will provide faster, more direct, and more reliable transit service for the suburban Maryland and DC region’s residents and visitors while easing congestion on local roads. By cutting an estimated 17,000 vehicle trips each day and operating using electric power, this project has tremendous environmental benefits as well,” the Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg said.
The Maryland Transit Administration is working under a Public Private Partnership Agreement (P3 agreement) with Purple Line Transit Partners to design, build, operate, and maintain the light rail system for 35 years.
In January 2022, Maryland Board of Public Works approved a modification to the Purple Line Public-Private Partnership Agreement with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), MDOT Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), and Purple Line Transit Partners (PLTP) to select Maryland Transit Solutions (MTS) as the new design-build team to complete the Purple Line light rail project. MTS, comprised of Dragados USA and OHL USA, was selected by PLTP, in coordination with MDOT MTA, after a competitive Request for Proposals process. The modified P3 Agreement has a cost of USD 9.28 billion, which includes the USD 3.4 billion design-build cost to begin full-scale construction. The design-build cost to complete the Purple Line construction has increased by USD 1.4 billion from USD 2 billion to USD 3.4 billion.
Currently under construction, the Maryland Purple LRT covers the construction of a 26 km (16.2 mile) line served by 21 stations which will provide the east-west transit connection from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County.
The critical infrastructure project which expands the transit opportunities in two of the most populated counties in the state is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Five major activity centers (Bethesda, Silver Spring, Takoma-Langley Park, College Park, and New Carrollton) will connect with 16 other stations that serve residential communities, commercial districts, and institutional establishments.
The project will also provide direct connections to four lines of the existing Metrorail system, all three MARC commuter rail lines and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor line. The project will also include completion of the Capital Crescent Trail supporting bicyclists and pedestrians.
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