Purple Line Master Plan
The Purple Line, a proposed 16-mile light rail or bus rapid transit line, would run from Bethesda to New Carrollton and provide direct connections to Metrorail, local and inter-city bus and the MARC train. Considered an east-west route and connector for Montgomery and Prince George's counties, the Purple Line has been under study since 1992. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) heads the Purple Line project.
Learn the basics about the project from the planners' perspective.
Montgomery Planning Board’s Role
The Planning Board will provide recommendations to the Montgomery County Council on the Purple Line’s alignment, mode (light rail or rapid bus), and an adjacent hiker/biker trail after the MTA completes its draft environmental impact report. The Planning Board also will recommend a master plan to the Council that considers the best route for the line from Bethesda to the Prince George’s County line.
Working closely with Takoma Park and Prince George’s County officials as well as an advisory committee consisting of representatives from civic groups, businesses, residents, environmental organizations, property owners and the general public, Montgomery Planning Department staff will gather community input on issues expected to be examined as part of the MTA’s environmental impact report. Staff will draft a functional master plan and present it to the Board in 2009.
Project schedule
- September 2: Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting
- September 16: Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting
- September 2008: MTA releases environmental impact study; 90-day review period begins
- October/November 2008: Public hearings
- December 2008: 90-day review complete
- January 2009: MTA selects preferred alternative
- Spring 2009: Planning staff finalizes draft functional master plan
- Spring/summer 2009: Planning Board holds public hearings on staff’s functional master plan
- Summer/fall 2009: Planning Board transmits final draft of Purple Line functional master plan to County Council
Previous actions
- August 5: Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting
Meeting summary | Staff presentation - July 22: Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting
Meeting summary | Staff presentation - June 17: Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting
Staff presentation | Meeting handouts - May 20: Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting
Meeting summary | Staff presentation
- April 15 : Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting
MTA transit briefing to Planning Board
Meeting summary | Staff presentation - March 18 : Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting
Meeting summary | Staff presentation | BRAC travel assumptions
- February 19: Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting
Meeting summary | Staff presentation | Meeting handouts | MTA presentation | Capital Crescent Trail questions
- January 22: Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting
Meeting summary | MTA presentation | Meeting handouts - January 17: Planning Board meeting
Staff presentation - December 18: Purple Line Advisory Committee meeting
Read the meeting summary - December 4: Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting
Read the meeting summary
- November 15: Purple Line Advisory Committee meeting
Silver Spring Library, 8901 Colesville Road
View the staff presentation | meeting summary - October 2007
- October 15: Public orientation session
11 a.m.- 1 p.m.
8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring (Park and Planning Headquarters auditorium)
View staff summary, The Basics of the Purple Line: Questions & Answers - October 27: Public orientation session
10 a.m.- noon
8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring (Park and Planning Headquarters auditorium)
View the staff presentation, including sample photos and the estimated schedule - October 30: Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting
7 - 9 p.m.
8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring (Park and Planning Headquarters auditorium)
View the staff presentation | MTA presentation | meeting summary - September 2007: Planning Board approves master plan advisory committee
- May 2007: Planning Board approves draft Purpose and Outreach Strategy Report, beginning Purple Line functional master plan process
M-NCPPC Staff Contacts
Tom Autrey, Transportation Planning
301-495-4533
Thomas.Autrey@mncppc-mc.org
Katherine Holt, Transportation Planning
301-495-4549
Katherine.Holt@mncppc-mc.org
