Color Me Purple: The Palette

Designs for the Purple Line are a toss-up, and the final decision may be based on cost.

On Thursday, Mike Madden, a spokesperson for the state transit administration, told the county planning board that several options exist for the light-rail line. The proposed line would connect Bethesda and New Carrollton, with stations in Lyttonsville, Woodside and at the Silver Spring transit center.

The most expensive option is a high-investment transit mode that would put light-rail trains (like those in Baltimore, above) on either elevated tracks or in tunnels. A cheaper alternative would build the route at street level in either dedicated or shared traffic lanes. The least expensive option abandons light rail and invests in existing bus service, Madden said.

Underground rail service, similar to existing Metro lines, could cost $1.6 billion for the route between Bethesda and Silver Spring alone, Madden predicted. The federal government offers a maximum $1.7 billion in grants for eligible transit projects.

"That's too costly," Madden told the planning board. "We're looking at more affordable options."

Thanks to RailPictures.net for the photo.