25 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

WAMU-FM Washington, DC 8/22/17:
 

Department Of Transportation’s Funding Sets Purple Line Back On Track

 

 

Maryland’s Purple Line is one step closer to construction after federal transportation officials announced they’ll put in the money Maryland needs to get started on the project.

 

The Department of Transportation says it intends to green light its share of the funding for the project, freeing up the $325 million already set aside for the Purple Line. The federal government will contribute $900 million over the lifetime of the project.

 

Continue here w/audio report.

[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, 8/21/17:

Maryland to get $900-million federal full funding agreement for Purple Line

 

August 21

 

Maryland’s Purple Line will receive a $900 million federal full funding agreement from the Trump administration, officials said Monday, a critical step forward for the oft-delayed project.

 

The breakthrough came after “very productive, high-level conversations” on Friday and Monday between Gov. Larry Hogan ® and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Hogan spokesman Doug Mayer said.

 

A Department of Transportation spokesman confirmed the deal, and said it is expected to be signed next week.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

DC Curbed,​ 8/23/17:

Trump administration to provide $900M in funding to Purple Line

The agreement is set to be signed next week, and construction on Maryland’s 16-mile light-rail will begin shortly after

 

 

 

Maryland’s Purple Line project has had its ups and downs, but it looks like it’s full speed ahead. The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration has agreed to sign a $900 million federal full funding agreement for the $2 billion project.

 

Despite this spring’s White House budget proposing to eliminate new federal grants for transit construction, the Purple Line was approved for funding in part because of how advanced it was; already, Maryland has spent $300 million on development work. A team of developers and equity investors has also been formed, called Purple Line Transit Partners, that is expected to commit the equity required for the project.

 

Construction was scheduled to begin last fall. If the federal investment had not been approved, the state of Maryland would not have been able to afford the project.

 

The deal is expected to be signed next week. Construction is set to begin just weeks after the deal is formalized.

​Continue here.https://dc.curbed.co...le-line-funding

[CNJRoss]

dcist.com,​ 8/22/17:

 

Purple Line Is Getting $900 Million In Federal Funding
 
 

Courtesy of the Maryland Transit Administration.
 
 
After a touch-and-go few months, the Purple Line is getting back on track.
 
Saying he had "great conversations" about the delayed light rail project with U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao over the last few days, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said on Twitter yesterday that he is "looking forward to some big news later this week."
 
A spokesman for Hogan confirmed to several news outlets that the Purple Line will receive a federal full funding agreement for $900 million.

Continue here.

[Sloan]

 

 

MD to break ground on Purple Line light-rail project

 

UPDATE: Maryland's beleaguered Purple Line light-rail project will host a groundbreaking event Monday, Aug. 28, Bethesda Magazinereported. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao will be present.

http://www.construct...project/503219/

       

[KevinKorell]

WAMU Radio, 8/28/17:

 

 

​

Everything You Need To Know About The Purple Line

 

 

The Purple Line light-rail project in the Maryland suburbs has finally been released from its legal limbo.

 

After a ceremonial groundbreaking in Hyattsville on Monday, the $2 billion construction project is expected to begin in the next couple of weeks.

 

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[KevinKorell]

News-Tribune, Tacoma, WA, 8/28/17:
 

 

Chao signs deal for 16-mile Purple Line light rail project

 
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao signed a funding agreement Monday with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to build a 16-mile light rail project in the traffic-congested suburbs of the nation's capital, and she praised the use of public-private partnerships to build large infrastructure projects like this one.

 

Article

[KevinKorell]

Baltimore, MD Sun, 8/28/17:
 

Purple Line construction begins

 
Maryland launched construction on the Purple Line on Monday, the culmination of more than two decades of political and financial wrangling to build a transit line connecting the Washington suburbs​.

 
This one

[KevinKorell]

Bethesda Magazine, 8/25/17:

 

 

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Opponents Not Giving Up, Say Purple Line Not a Done Deal

 

As a Monday groundbreaking looms for the light-rail Purple Line project, the trail advocacy group that has fought the project in court since 2014 is not giving up. It is urging the state to not move forward with construction activities until an ongoing lawsuit is settled.

 

That one

[KevinKorell]

Greater Greater Washington, 8/28/17:

 

 

Will the Purple Line appear on the Metro map?

 

 

The Purple Line finally starts construction today, but one question still lingers: when it opens, will it appear on the Metro map? This 2015 post from Peter Dovak looks at how that might work.

 

With the Purple Line’s future looking brighter, it is finally becoming easier to envision the embattled light rail line becoming a reality.

 

Article