Council Backs Purple Line Construction

The county council voted unanimously to support the 14-mile Purple Line linking Bethesda with New Carrollton. Now it's up to Congress and the state to cough up billions to fund the light-rail project.

The council resolution, sponsored in part by councilmembers Valerie Ervin (District 5) and George Leventhal (At large), backed a Purple Line running mostly at street level in dedicated lanes (above). The street-level design makes the project more affordable, though the route may be tunnelled through east Silver Spring, the council said.

The county and area transit authority now wait for the US Congress to cough up $1.5 billion over the next ten years. That piece of legislation, co-sponsored by US Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-8), is currently in subcommittee limbo.

The bill also calls for Maryland, Virginia and the District to come up with $1.5 million each over the next ten years. Earlier this week, county exec Ike Leggett proposed an increase to the state's gas tax to raise money for transportation projects.

Thanks to the state's MTA for the image.