Local
Trail near Purple Line may cost MoCo taxpayers $14M
By: Kathleen Miller
Examiner Staff Writer
December 29, 2008
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The Purple Line is designed to run parallel to the northern part of the Capital Beltway, tie together four other Metro lines and extend from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County.
A major part of the debate, yet to be resolved, is whether the transit route will be light rail or a bus line. A light rail route, endorsed by Montgomery County planners last week, could have trains running close to the Georgetown Branch extension of the Capital Crescent Trail, and its fans want to ensure the popular path remains accessible and enjoyable for bikers, joggers and hikers.
In October, Montgomery County Council Vice President Roger Berliner wrote Maryland Transportation Secretary John Porcari asking him to ensure the trail is built along with the Purple Line and “constructed in keeping with the needs and expectations of the many residents whose homes abut the trail and the thousands of recreational users who have come to rely on this extraordinary local resource.”
Porcari told Berliner that “all parties agree” that the trail will be a part of any Purple Line construction, but that state officials have “the hopeful anticipation that some other funding source, such as Montgomery County or community enhancement funds, could be found to pay for that portion of the project cost.”
Donna Bigler, a Montgomery County spokeswoman, said Friday that trail construction efforts could run $14 million, and Montgomery County officials are considering picking up the tab.
Chevy Chase Councilman David Lublin criticized the county for its willingness to pony up cash for the trail and elevators associated with the proposed Purple Line Project, saying Baltimore officials were able to have the state pay for similar projects associated with their Red Line.
“Who will pick up the tab if there are cost overruns?” Lublin said. “It’s not like those haven’t happened before on projects like this.”
Longtime bike and trail advocate Wayne Phyillaier also worried that the county could be on the hook for more than $14 million because the Purple Line and trail will share some grading and retaining walls.
“It’s going to be almost impossible to separate the cost of the trail from the cost of the Purple Line,” Phyillaier said. “But, I don’t care how they allocate the costs. Ultimately it is just very important that they commit to building the trail.”
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