US DOT has alloted $1.76 billion for the Purple Line Light Rail Transit Project in Maryland. The loan will finance 33% of the total costs of the $5.9 billion project.
The 16.2-mile east-west light rail Purple Line, with 21 stations, will extend from Bethesda Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County.
Railway Technology noted:
“US DOT deputy transportation secretary Polly Trottenberg said: “By cutting an estimated 17,000 vehicle trips each day and operating using electric power, this project has tremendous environmental benefits as well.”
Featuring 21 stations, the line will include five major activity centres such as Bethesda, Silver Spring, Takoma-Langley Park, College Park, and New Carrollton. These centres will be linked with 16 other stations serving residential communities and commercial districts as well as institutional places. The line will help create direct connections with four branches of the existing Metrorail system besides three MARC commuter rail lines and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor line.”
