Maryland Gov. O'Malley announces $280 million for Purple Line light-rail project

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley recently announced the state will provide nearly $650 million for transportation projects in Prince George's County, including $280 million to complete right-of-way acquisition and final design for the Purple Line light-rail project.

The projects will create jobs, reduce traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety, O'Malley administration officials said in a press release.

"This past legislative session, we made the better choices to invest in the future of Maryland's transportation network, allowing us to create more than 57,200 jobs … and rebuild our state's infrastructure," O'Malley said.

The projects were made possible with funding from the state's Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013, which includes long-term strategies to invest in transportation.

The Purple Line is a proposed 16-mile east-west light-rail line that will extend inside the Capital Beltway from New Carrollton in Prince George's County to Bethesda in Montgomery County.

In addition to the Prince George's County investments, O'Malley announced $5 million in funding for Charles County's "top priority," a southern Maryland transit study to connect Waldorf to the Branch  Avenue Metro Station. The study will examine the potential for additional transportation options for residents commuting to Washington, D.C.