PETITION TO SAVE THE TREES AND THE CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL

Construct the Purple Line either as an underground Metro line between Bethesda and Silver Spring, or in another location, such as the Purple Line Loop (proposed by County Executive Doug Duncan four years ago), along the Beltway between Silver Spring and Medical Center in Bethesda -- where the Base Relocation of Walter Reed Hospital will be bringing thousands of new employees, patients and visitors each day. 

Construction of the proposed  Purple Line along the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring would close the Trail -- during construction -- for several years!  In addition, it would:
-- Level the 12'-wide berm on which the Trail rests -- and bulldoze a 66' wide swath in it's place;
-- Destroy all of the thousands of trees that line the Trail;
-- Run trains on two tracks with catenary wires -- about 10' from the Trail;
-- Run trains up to 55 mph -- passing in both directions every three minutes;
-- Run trains close to thousands of homes, condominiums, and apartments (in some cases less than 15' from homes);
-- Route the Trail above the trains in the Tunnel;
-- Perform maintenance on trains on a "tail track" in front of Giffords Ice Cream and the Landmark Theatre.

COMMENTARY ON MTA'S PURPLE LINE RIDERSHIP ESTIMATES:

http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2007/11/purple-line-consultation-on-ridership.html

ALTERNATIVES TO THE LIGHT RAIL ALONG THE TRAIL

CALENDAR OF PURPLE LINE EVENTS

Planning Board's Role in the Purple Line Master Plan:
http://www.mcparkandplanning.org/transportation/projects/bicounty.shtm

Purple Line Project Schedule 2007-2009

• November 2007: Planning Board approves Purpose and Outreach Strategy Report
• Winter 2007:  Ridership Study due to be released
  
• Winter 2007/08: Staff develops draft of Functional Master Plan, focusing on segment between Bethesda and Silver Spring.
• April 2008: Advisory committee reviews staff draft
• May 2008: MTA releases environmental impact study
• Summer 2008: Staff solicits community input to its analysis and recommendations
• September 2008: Planning and MTA staff present recommendations to Montgomery Planning Board. Board forwards its preferred alternative to the County Council.
• October 2008: County Council forwards recommendation on preferred alternative to MTA
• November 2008: MTA selects preferred alternative
• Winter 2008/09: Planning staff finalizes draft functional master plan
• February-May 2009: Planning Board holds public hearings on staff’s functional master plan
• July 2009: Planning Board transmits final draft of Purple Line functional master plan to County Council