Two Montgomery County Council committee sessions on Monday revolved around the Purple Line, which is still slated to open by the end of 2027.
During a Transportation and Environment committee meeting, council members learned that the light rail train project is slightly more than 75% complete, and eight of the expected 28 light rail cars have been delivered. 60% of sidewalks have been installed, as has 32% of the tracks.
17 miles of sidewalks have been laid.
The Capital Crescent Trail is expected to open during the Spring of 2026.
In the second committee hearing, which involved the transportation and environment committee as well as the economic committee, the discussion revolved around how businesses owners and residents located by the construction were faring.
Maryland first initiated a grant program to help impacted businesses in 2022. It appropriated $235,000 to local businesses along the Purple Line corridor. These grants were administered by the Latino Economic Development Corporation.
In 2023, Maryland appropriated an additional $815,000. This money was distributed by the Montgomery County Business Center. In total, the 2022 and 2023 rounds of grants assisted 151 impacted businesses.
In March 2024, the Maryland Transit Administration and the Purple Line Transit Partners (PLTP) gave out an additional $4 million for impacted businesses. That money has not yet been dispersed but will be by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
In May of last year, the county council approved $900,000 in one-time funding toward the Montgomery County Business Center via the Economic Development Fund to provide ongoing support for 40 impacted businesses in Silver Spring. The Business Center began distributing the grants in July 2024.
More than half of those businesses are on Bonifant Street, and the rest are on Piney Branch Road.
Another round of funding opens up on March 14, and applications are due by April 14.
The Purple Line Transit Parners awarded 12 Beyond the Rials grants last year and eight so far this year. The awards of between $1,000 and $3,000 are distributed twice a year.
According to Hugo Fontirriog, project executive at Maryland Transit Solutions, all bridges are either completed or currently under construction. In December, crews set the Capital Crescent Trail bridge truss across Rock Creek and the Rock Creek Trail.
The Spring Street Bridge is expected to be finished this summer.
Future plans include constructing an elevator shaft at the Bethesda station.
Tracks have been installed by the McGee Library in Silver Spring, but much construction work in that area is expected soon. The intersection of Fenton Street and Wayne Avenue will be closed for two months this summer.
Council President Kate Stewart said she understood these areas “are active construction sites,” but she said the area often is dangerous for pedestrians and runners due to large potholes and detours.
Stephanie Hisling, president of the Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, said limited parking and accessibility in Downtown Silver Spring is hurting the area.
Businesses are closing, but it’s hard to pinpoint one reason. Owners say their rent has increased, foot traffic and fallen and Purple Line construction has hurt, she said, calling it “a perfect storm.”
When everything is finished and the Purple Line is running, Hisling predicted, “I think that is going to be a challenge. I think there are going to be some deep scars,” and customers may not return to the area quickly.
Comments are closed.