Purple Line Designers To Present New Option For Lynn Drive Crossing

Rendering via Maryland Transit Administration

There may be a solution to one of the major points of contention between the Town of Chevy Chase and the Maryland Transit Administration, which is planning the Purple Line.

On Tuesday, MTA engineers will present their latest proposal for a crossing of the light rail near Lynn Drive, a popular pedestrian route for those heading from the Town into downtown Bethesda toward Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.

The MTA says a new pedestrian crossing at the same grade as the future light rail will be unsafe. The Town of Chevy Chase has rejected past proposals for a pedestrian underpass, arguing the designs were unsafe and that raised track beds would be too intrusive to homes along Lynn Drive.

The Town’s Purple Line Mitigation Advisory Group will host the MTA officials on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall (4301 Willow Lane).

In March 2013, the MTA presented safety reasons for why an at-grade crossing was dropped from further consideration. Officials also said a pedestrian overpass at the spot was out of consideration, as it would mean significant right of way acquisition and no direct connection to the Capital Crescent Trail.

According to a meeting notice, the advisory group asked MTA to design a pedestrian underpass that wouldn’t leave the Purple Line tracks so high.

The MTA estimated there are 230 pedestrian crossings a day at Lynn Drive, including 35 peak hour crossings.

The meeting on Tuesday will come as the Town actively fights against the Purple Line as proposed. The Town has entered a contract with a lobbying firm and is supplying $10,000 for for a study to see if endangered critters live in in nearby creeks.

Rendering via Maryland Transit Administration

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