U. of Maryland, in switch, welcomes LRT presence

In a move welcomed by Maryland advocates of the “Purple Line” light rail transit project, University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh says the university now is “absolutely committed” to having LRT serve its campus.

Loh’s statement is a signal shift in university policy, which until recently expressed severe reservations about LRT accessing the campus directly along Campus Drive.

Under former university President C.D. Mote, officials cited concerns for pedestrian safety, and also disruption of automotive access to the campus, in calling for the Purple Line to circumnavigate the campus.

But on Tuesday, Loh said, "There is perhaps no issue that is more important to this university and this region of the state than this.” He added, “Not having a Purple Line is not an option.”

The university must offer a final recommendation ln the Purple Line this springto the Federal Transit Administration, Loh said, adding, “We can’t forever debate this or we’ll never get out of the starting blocks.”

The Purple Line is a proposed 16.3-mile LRT route running from Bethesda, in Montgomery County northwest of Washington, D.C., east to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County. It would offer direct transfers to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Metrorail at four locations, and also act as a circumferential route to the Metrorail heavy rail system.

Opposition to the Purple Line has been most intense in Chevy Chase, Md., near Bethesda; the municipality has cited noise, safety, and cost among its concerns, and repeatedly has suggested a less costly bus alternative be pursued.