Purple Line Cost Estimate Goes Up By $220 Million

Purple Line rendering via MTAThe cost estimate for the Purple Line light rail has increased by $220 million, according to a Federal Transit Administration report.

The increase comes primarily from higher costs for right-of-way that must be acquired to make room for the system. The Purple Line is now projected to cost $2.37 billion, up from the previous projection of $2.15 billion.

The report, on the heels of President Obama’s recommendation on Tuesday for $100 million in federal funding for the project next fiscal year, gives a mostly favorable rating to the 16-mile, 21-station light rail system.

The Maryland Transit Administration is looking for $900,000 in federal funding for the project, which it hopes to build and operate as part of a public-private partnership (P3) agreement.

The report does warn that the state’s projected growth in Transportation Trust Fund revenues and farebox collections “is more optimistic than historical experience.” The state projects 56,100 daily linked trips and almost 21 million annual linked trips by 2035.

Critics of the light rail proposed by the MTA have pointed to rising cost estimates as a reason alternative options — such as a bus rapid transit system — should be explored. The Purple Line’s western terminus would be in Bethesda and it would include a stop in Chevy Chase Lake.

“Success of rapid transit systems throughout the world, including the highly touted Select Bus Service in NYC, also beg the question whether Maryland’s persistent pursuit of an on-street fixed rail system in the middle of one of the most congested metropolitan areas is the most efficient use of tax-raised transportation dollars,” said Ajay Bhatt in a press release.

Bhatt is the president of the Friends of the Capital Crescent Trail.

The Friends group is against building the Purple Line on its proposed route along the Georgetown Branch Extension of the Capital Crescent Trail. The Town of Chevy Chase is also doing federal lobbying and could pursue a lawsuit in its efforts against the system.

Other changes from the last FTA review of the project in 2012 include an increase to 58 light rail vehicles from 55. The MTA has removed two grade-separated street crossings from the project.

Those will be replaced by at-grade crossings, meaning a reduced construction cost but a slightly longer travel time. MTA decided it needed the three extra vehicles to make up for that time.

Rendering via Maryland Transit Administration

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