Maryland Gov. Hogan says OK to slimmed-down Purple Line

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced yesterday that he would allow the Maryland Transportation Department to pursue a streamlined version of the Purple Line light-rail project.

The proposed 16-mile light-rail line would connect Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George's County. Under the governor's scaled-back version of the project, the state's share in the Purple line would be $168 million, a fraction of the original proposal of $700 million, according to a press release issued by Hogan's office.

"I have always said this decision was never about whether public transit was worthwhile, but whether it is affordable and makes sense," said Hogan. "In reducing costs here, hundreds of millions of dollars will become available for other important projects. Our administration promised to chart a new course for Maryland – one where economic development and jobs are our top priority. The Purple Line is a long-term investment that will be an important economic driver for our state."

The announcement marked a shift in the Republican governor's stance toward the Purple Line project; he campaigned against it when he ran for governor last year. However, Hogan also announced yesterday that he would not go forward with the Red Line light-rail project in Baltimore, The Washington Post reported.