Project Profile: Maryland Purple Line Light Rail

The Maryland Purple Line is a 16.2-mile light rail transit (LRT) project under construction to establish a critical east-west connection between Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. Engineered to integrate with existing regional transit, the line connects major metropolitan rail lines outside of downtown Washington, D.C. The project utilizes a complex public-private partnership (P3) model for its design, construction, financing, and long-term operation.

Technical Specifications

The Purple Line’s alignment features 21 stations designed to serve key employment, educational, and residential centers, including the University of Maryland. The route infrastructure is a mix of at-grade, elevated, and underground sections to navigate the dense urban and suburban landscape. Track systems are varied to suit conditions, incorporating ballasted, direct fixation, and embedded track designs. Significant engineering efforts have focused on noise and vibration mitigation, with design targets aiming for levels below 75 decibels on straight track sections and 78 decibels on curves.

The rolling stock consists of 26 modern, low-floor Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) for enhanced accessibility. Each vehicle is designed with a capacity exceeding 400 passengers and includes amenities such as dedicated bicycle racks and priority seating. Operations will be managed from two dedicated storage and maintenance facilities located at Lyttonsville and Glenridge, ensuring high availability and efficient fleet management throughout the 35-year operational term of the P3 agreement.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Regional Connectivity: The Purple Line provides a crucial orbital link, connecting branches of the WMATA Metrorail system (Red, Green, and Orange Lines) as well as all three MARC Commuter Rail lines and Amtrak, enabling regional travel without requiring a transfer in central Washington, D.C.
• Advanced P3 Financing Model: The project is a landmark example of a large-scale public-private partnership in US transit. This model transfers significant long-term risk for construction, operations, and maintenance to the private sector, although its implementation has highlighted the complexities and potential for renegotiation in such agreements.
• Catalyst for Economic Development: By providing high-capacity transit access along its corridor, the project is engineered to stimulate transit-oriented development (TOD), increase property values, and promote sustainable economic growth in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Maryland Purple Line open?

The Maryland Purple Line is projected to begin passenger service in Autumn 2026. This timeline follows the revised construction schedule under the new design-build contractor.

Who is building the Maryland Purple Line?

The primary design-build contractor for the Maryland Purple Line is Maryland Transit Solutions, a joint venture of Dragados USA and OHL USA. The overall project is owned and led by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).