Maryland Transit Administration hosts first Purple Line community meeting
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) – Purple Line construction continues in Montgomery County and on Thursday, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) hosted the first of seven community meetings to give updates on the progress that has been made.
Silver Spring community members told DC News Now that they have mixed feelings about the Purple Line. Some are not fans of the construction currently going on, but they’re hoping it’ll all be worth it when the line officially opens in 2027.
“Negatively,” Samuel Bates said, “I’d say just the traffic patterns and the roads themselves are kind of rough. It beats up your car a little bit. Positively, I don’t know that I can say that there is anything positive yet.”
Five Metro Red Line stations closing in June for upgrades, renovations
The Purple Line has faced several hurdles, including in March when MTA asked for more money for the project and completion was pushed back. The Board of Public Works approved the request and the line was scheduled to open in Fall 2026.
Bates works at a nearby business. He says although he hasn’t seen any benefits yet, he knows the Purple Line will be great when it’s in operation.
“I think that will be good for the community for sure,” he said. “It will allow someone that has a job farther out to get there a lot quicker than driving through traffic.”
Mik Neville lives close to the Purple Line site.
“As far as the construction as it’s going on right now,” Neville said. “it hasn’t impacted my day-to-day.”
Neville works from home but says he’s looking forward to using the line once it’s complete.
“If it works the way it says it is,” he said, “it’ll make it easier to get to the other side of the Red Line. We have friends and stuff over in Bethesda. It’ll be nice to take that over instead of driving.”
Businesses affected by Purple Line construction can apply for grant money
Although construction is underway, some people remain skeptical since plans for the Purple Line have been discussed for many years now.
“It’s been probably 20 years,” Bates said. “I hope this time they get it right and get it going.” The Purple Line community meeting will be held virtually Thursday afternoon.
More information on the meeting can be found here.
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