SILVER SPRING, Md. — The highly anticipated Purple Line, which will eventually connect New Carrollton to Bethesda, is facing further delays, according to an announcement from the Maryland Transit Administration.
The MTA, along with the Purple Line Transit Partners, announced that they'll be seeking a 7-month extension from the Board of Public Works, putting the new deadline in Spring of 2027.
The project was already more than four years behind schedule, and approximately $3.8 billion over budget. The latest extension will cost the city another $148 million, according to the MTA.
"We understand the impacts that prolonged construction creates for the residents and businesses along the Purple Line alignment and will continue to minimize disruptions where possible,” said Ray Biggs, II, Purple Line Project Director.
When complete, the Purple Line will traverse more than 16 miles, connecting 21 stations, including four that would intersect with Metro; Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park, and New Carrolton.
The Purple Line is not run by Metro but rather the Maryland Transit Administration. It has faced numerous challenges since its conception.
In 2016, the project needed to overcome a lawsuit that delayed environmental approval. And in 2020, the private contractor dropped out of the project, leading to a significant delay. In 2022, a new contractor was selected to finish the job.
"This is one project that is very unique," said Biggs. "And the situations that we’ve endured."
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said that these delays demonstrated what can go wrong with a public-private partnership.
"I think public-private partnerships can be done well," he said. "We just haven't done it well."
Despite his concerns with the project, Elrich said that there's no turning back now, amid all the sunken costs.
"This is what it is," he said. "And having gotten this far and done this much, you might as well finish this out."
The MTA reported that the project is more than 50 percent done, as 700 workers are currently working at 60 construction sites.