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Purple Line team says project is over 80% complete, keeps 2027 revenue-service target
Summary
Maryland Transit Administration and contractors told Montgomery County council advisers the Purple Line is more than 80% complete, with track largely in place and 19 of 28 light rail vehicles delivered; end-to-end testing is slated for spring 2026 and revenue service remains targeted for 2027.
Ray Biggs, senior project director for the Purple Line at the Maryland Transit Administration, told the Montgomery County Transportation and Environment Committee on Sept. 22 that the project is "more than 80% complete." He said "we're more than 70% of the track installed," and that 19 of 28 light rail vehicles have arrived on site with additional deliveries scheduled weekly.
Biggs said dynamic vehicle testing began in March and expanded in August, and that the project team expects to complete track installation next spring and begin end-to-end system testing in spring 2026. "2027 is when we've always said we will open for revenue service," he said, reiterating the schedule the agency continues to target.
Contractor presenters provided station-level updates in Montgomery County. Hugo Fonte Roach, project manager for MTS, said Bethesda work has progressed through excavation and waterproofing in the elevator shaft and cavern, with concrete and elevator installation next. He reported that all 21 stations have platforms completed and that structural and overhead-catenary system work continues at multiple locations including Connecticut Avenue, Silver Spring Transit Center and other station sites.
The team flagged several near-term traffic impacts and reopenings. Fonte Roach said Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street reopened to traffic on Sept. 8 following track work and that work on Bonifant Street (track placement and curb/sidewalk restoration) is complete. He also announced a temporary closure of Sligo Creek Parkway between Wayne Avenue and Piney Branch Road from Sept. 22 to Nov. 22 to finish track placement.
On trail access, Biggs said the Capital Crescent Trail is expected to reopen in spring or summer next year and that MTA will coordinate with Montgomery County on the transfer and maintenance of the trail. Maricela Cordova of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation said MCDOT will own and maintain the trail after handoff and is already discussing maintenance tasks including snow removal, trash collection and spot lighting where required.
Business support was a recurring subject: Biggs described expanded business-engagement work, targeted signage and rodent abatement at impacted commercial corridors, and noted the Maryland Department of Transportation-administered small-business grant program has awarded $1,500,000 in rounds one and two; a third round opens Oct. 6 with applications due in mid-November.
Council members used the briefing to press for quicker local follow-up on community requests, clearer timelines for signage and artwork installations, and continued monitoring of business impacts as the project moves toward system testing next year. The presenters said a revised staff packet with full slide decks and a detailed list of completed and planned work would be posted later the same day.
The hearing was adjourned after committee members thanked the presenters and noted continued community interest in the remaining construction and safety work.
