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The Purple Line Proposal

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ABOUT THE PLAN |  The Purple Line is a proposed transit link -- either light rail or bus rapid transit -- between Bethesda, Silver Spring and New Carrollton. It would provide connections to Metrorail's Red, Green and Orange lines. See map.


Purple Line opponents show the scale of trains on the Capital Crescent Trail in Chevy Chase. (By Mark Gail -- The Washington Post)
Arguments
IN FAVOR |  Proponents say the line is needed to link Maryland's ends of the Red, Green and Orange lines with Amtrak and MARC stations. They argue that the line would provide better east-west service, particularly for lower-income workers.

"Smart mass transit offers the only prospect to enhance our communities and reduce our impact on our globe."
-- Jonathan Elkind, Founder of Silver Spring Advocates
AGAINST |  Opponents say the cost -- put as high as $1.75 billion -- is too high for limited benefit. They argue the line would destroy the Capital Crescent Trail and disrupt neighborhoods in Chevy Chase, East Bethesda and Silver Spring.

"The Purple Line isn't going to solve any transit problem."
-- Mark Gabriele, President of the Seven Oaks Evanswood Citizens' Association

Latest Headlines

Traffic Eases Nationwide -- Except in D.C., Study Finds
Although traffic has lightened up a tad in almost every other major metropolitan area in the nation, the misery index in the Washington area has increased, according to the annual national traffic study released today by the Texas Transportation Institute.
 

Poll

Map

A detailed map of the proposed route through southern Maryland.

Editorial

Going Purple

The Washington Post endorses the "obvious potential benefits" of the proposed line.

Officials to Seek Funding for Bike Trail (Post, July 2, 2009)
 
Montgomery Notebook: Council Agrees to Delay Planning Board Departure (Post, June 25, 2009)
 
Purple Line Passes Important Test (Get There, June 19, 2009; 5:41 PM)
 
Maryland Briefing: Girl Sexually Assaulted Near School; Regional Panel Endorses Purple Line; Midshipman Held in Marijuana Case (Post, June 18, 2009)
 
INTERSTATE 270 CORRIDOR: Many at Meeting Call for Transit, Widening of Road to Ease Traffic (Post, June 17, 2009)
 
School Funding Questions Linger (Post, June 11, 2009)
 
From the Campaign Trail to the Council in MoCo (Maryland Moment, June 9, 2009; 4:11 PM)
 
At Stake, a Community's Identity: Purple Line, Other Issues Galvanize East Silver Spring (Post, June 6, 2009)
 
Va. Transportation Secretary Offers Gloomy Forecast (Get There, June 3, 2009; 5:11 PM)
 
Md. Road Projects Lose Out To Purple Line as Costs Rise (Post, May 20, 2009)
 
Solid Reputation Aids Md.'s Porcari In Bid for U.S. Job (Post, May 19, 2009)
 
What's Ahead in Washington Region Transit (Get There, May 7, 2009; 3:11 PM)
 
Options Add Costs On Md. Purple Line: Studies Find Issues With Two Proposals (Post, May 7, 2009)
 
Up Next on N.Va. Transit: Planning for Everything: Officials Propose Array of Projects (Post, May 7, 2009)
 
Candidates Forum Tonight For Town of Chevy Chase (Post, April 30, 2009)
 
When Bags Attack: Seating Strategies on Metro (Post, April 23, 2009)
 
CORRECTIONS (Post, April 21, 2009)
 
A Bus to Nowhere (April 20, 2009)
 
Liberty and Justice and Transitways for All? (Post, April 9, 2009)
 
Anacostia Streetcar Plan Runs Into Delays (Post, April 2, 2009)
 
Metro Detours Md. Bus Route After Crash (Get There, March 31, 2009; 5:11 PM)
 
Our Own Inaction During Growth Led to HOT Lanes (Post, March 22, 2009)
 
Build the Purple Line, Then Bury It (Post, March 15, 2009)
 
MONTGOMERY COUNTY: Proposed Purple Line Route Has Trail Users Seeing Red (Post, March 8, 2009)
 
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