Maryland Purple Line: 2026 Status, Cost, Timeline & Route Map
The Maryland Purple Line project, officially recognized as the maryland purple line, is a 16.2 mi light rail transit line extending from Bethesda to New Carrollton. Managed by MDOT and MTA with USDOT and FTA federal oversight, the line utilizes a public-private partnership (P3) funding model to build a major east-west transit arterial across Montgomery and Prince George's counties. The 21-station alignment operates along a dedicated right-of-way, directly connecting WMATA Metrorail, MARC, and Amtrak service centers. Grounded in a comprehensive environmental review and official plans, the project replaces congested roadway reliance with sustainable transit capacity. Urban planners engineered the route map to leverage existing brownfield corridors, creating vital transit-oriented development hubs near key university and commercial districts. As crews advance toward the target completion date, the corridor delivers transformative transit connectivity, economic renewal, and cross-county integration for thousands of daily suburban commuters.
Project information is compiled from official agency documents, federal records, environmental reviews, and verified public announcements.
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Maryland Purple Line Route Map & Alignment
View and download the latest Maryland Purple Line route map showing the project alignment, major junctions, regions covered and connectivity corridors.
Statewide Network System Phases
| Phase | Route Alignment | Length | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Corridor Construction | Bethesda to New Carrollton | 16.2 miles | Under Construction |
Active Construction Packages
| Package | Section Covered | Contractor | Progress / Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| P3-DB | Main Line Design-Build Contract | MTSJ (Maryland Transit Solutions) | Active |
Major Stations & Multi-Modal Interchanges
Bethesda
Under ConstructionInterchange: WMATA Red Line
Silver Spring Transit Center
Under ConstructionInterchange: WMATA Red Line, MARC
College Park - UMD
Under ConstructionInterchange: WMATA Green Line, MARC
New Carrollton
Under ConstructionInterchange: WMATA Orange Line, MARC, Amtrak
Key Engineering Structures & Viaducts
Bethesda Shaft and Tunnel
Deep vertical elevator shaft connecting underground Metrorail Red Line platform to surface LRT station.
Capital Crescent Trail Structure
Grade-separated multi-use bridge structure carrying light rail tracks parallel to pedestrian bicycle paths.
Key Project Milestones Timeline
Record of Decision Issued
FTA issued the official Record of Decision approving environmental clearance for the transit corridor.
P3 Concession Agreement Executed
MDOT MTA executed a long-term public-private partnership agreement for project delivery.
Design-Build Contractor Replacement
Maryland Transit Solutions assumed design-build construction duties under a revised $3.4B contract.
Corridor Rail Installation
Crews laid continuous track across key alignments in Prince George's and Montgomery counties.
Latest Project Developments
The Maryland Purple Line construction and engineering execution continue to progress across monitored project packages under the direction of MTA.
Civil contractors and agency engineers are executing earthworks, structural deck installations, utility relocations, and system integration testing to ensure adherence to safety and operational schedules.
Maryland Purple Line– Cost • Route • Timeline
| Parameter | Technical Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Maryland Purple Line |
| Country / Geography | USA |
| Region / Corridor | Mid-Atlantic |
| Executing Agency | MTA |
| Route Designation | MD-193 Corridor |
| Funding Model | P3 / Public-Private Partnership |
| Project Type | Light Rail |
| Total Length | 16.2 miles |
| Estimated Cost | $9.8B |
| Land Acquisition (%) | 100% |
| Construction Progress (%) | 70% |
| Expected Completion | 2027 |
Impact Zone: Affected Settlements
Places, towns, and villages located within the 1.5 km and 500m buffer corridors, as well as road crossing nodes along the project's alignment, identified via OpenStreetMap spatial analysis.
Running GIS Spatial Analysis...
Latest Maryland Purple Line News & Developments (2026)
News Timeline (0 Articles)
Maryland Purple Line Video Updates
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Maryland Purple Line is a major infrastructure project in the United States, forming part of the national infrastructure development program.
The Maryland Purple Line is considered critical infrastructure for improving regional connectivity, reducing travel times, and supporting economic growth in the project corridor.
The target completion date for the Maryland Purple Line is 2027. Completion may occur in phases as individual sections are finalized.
The estimated project cost for the Maryland Purple Line is $9.8B. Cost figures are subject to revision based on scope adjustments and procurement outcomes.
Funding for the Maryland Purple Line comes from a combination of federal government allocations, state contributions, and where applicable, public-private partnership arrangements. Specific funding breakdowns are disclosed in official project documentation.
The Maryland Purple Line is implemented by MTA. Project oversight, funding disbursement, and construction monitoring are shared across these agencies.
The current status of the Maryland Purple Line is: Under Construction. Construction progress and key milestones are tracked and updated regularly on this page.
The most recent developments for the Maryland Purple Line are listed in the Latest Developments section on this page. Information is compiled from official agency announcements and verified public records.
The Maryland Purple Line spans approximately 16.2 miles.
Related Infrastructure Projects
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Under ConstructionNew York Penn Station → Secaucus Junction (NJ)
Gateway Program
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Purple Line (Maryland)
Under ConstructionBethesda, MD → New Carrollton, MD
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