PURPLE LINE REALITY CHECK
An Important Trail Link is in Jeopardy
The State is vigorously pursuing plans to put light rail trains on the Georgetown Branch of the Capital Crescent Trail. The Maryland Transit Authority acknowledges that this $1.8 billion project will not relieve congestion on roads in this area. It would, however, destroy the existing environment. Here’s how:
- Most of the Trail between Connecticut Avenue and Bethesda measures just 66-feet-wide or less, compared to a 100-foot-wide right of way elsewhere on the proposed route. The right of way narrows to just 32 feet at the entrance to the Bethesda tunnel under Wisconsin Avenue. Leafy images projected by the state—showing two train tracks, a roomy Trail, and landscaping—are not realistic. See accurate views below.
- If the proposed Purple Line is built, this section of the Trail will be reduced to a width of only 8 usable
feet—dramatically increasing the likelihood of accidents between hikers and
bikers. The Trail already has
safety problems due to crowding.
- 15 acres of mature trees in this portion of the Trail alone will be cleared and the terrain leveled by heavy machinery to make room for two
train tracks and the proposed narrowed trail.
- Once trees are gone, temperatures in the area will rise 20 degrees and storm-water runoff will
accelerate dramatically.
- The state's projects the Trail elevated above moving trains in the Bethesda tunnel, currently a safe thruway for hikers and bikers under Wisconsin Avenue. The proposed tomb-like
space would measure just 10-feet wide and 10-feet high. If the tunnel
is not completed, users will be routed onto busy Bethesda
streets, requiring 10 turns and crossing Wisconsin Avenue to rejoin
the Trail.
- Trains awaiting maintenance will occupy the only remaining grassy space in downtown Bethesda, where families now enjoy an oasis of urban tranquility. This will be lost if the proposed route is developed. (See view of "Tail Track" on Woodmont Ave. below.)
Proposed Purple Line Views
