On October 21, members of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) voted unanimously to approve two projects for inclusion into the region’s Constrained Long Range Transportation Plan (CLRP), including the Purple Line light rail project.

“This vote essentially completes the process for the TPB on the Purple Line,” said Ron Kirby, Director of Transportation Planning at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). “The Board’s passage enables the state of Maryland to advance the project for federal funding.”

The TPB’s action on the Purple Line is a culmination of a long process by local, regional, and state officials. Over the past few years, debate primarily focused on the location of the project, as well as whether the line would be light rail or bus rapid transit (BRT).

The 16-mile light rail Purple Line will run from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George's County, linking major residential and commercial centers and connecting to existing Metro, MARC, and Amtrak stations.

The “Return to L’Enfant” plan for development over I-395, which includes a number of street reconfigurations in Northwest Washington, D.C., was also approved.

At its October meeting, the TPB also voted to study public attitude toward road pricing options. To read about that item, click here.