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Van Hollen Urges MDOT to Minimize Disruption to Communities During Purple Line Construction

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen wrote today to Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Pete Rahn to urge him to minimize the disruptive impacts as construction begins on the Purple Line. Many Marylanders are concerned about how communities surrounding the project will be affected, and the Senator asked MDOT to take some clear steps to address the issue.

"I recognize that the next few years will be difficult for many as this project is constructed," Senator Van Hollen wrote. "That's why it's critical for the State and the concessionaire to take all actions necessary to maintain open lines of communication with residents and with their elected representatives."

Senator Van Hollen is asking MDOT to take the following actions:

  • Require that the plan to close the entire Georgetown Branch Trail be revised and that the construction schedule be reworked to close particular segments at a time while allowing portions of the Trail to remain open as long as practicable
  • Ensure that trees are preserved to the maximum extent possible
  • Establish a plan and schedule for meetings of Community Advisory Teams
  • Appoint a single point of contact for residents who have questions about construction activities in their communities
  • Set up a "hotline" for residents to report on issues arising during construction.

The full text of the letter is below.

Dear Secretary Rahn:

Now that construction of the Purple Line is underway, I share your interest in ensuring that the communities surrounding this project are fully informed about what to expect during construction. Given the many disruptions that will ensue during construction, I hope that you will do everything possible to minimize the disruptive impacts on communities to the maximum extent possible.

Unfortunately, the project appears to be off to a rocky start. Throughout the planning stages of this project, MDOT and MTA assured the affected communities that they would do all that they could to minimize the impacts of construction and would be forthcoming in their communications. Yet, within days of the groundbreaking, the announcement of the immediate closure of the Georgetown Branch Trail took the community and elected officials by surprise.

I recognize that the delay in the commencement of construction caused by litigation has created planning and other logistical difficulties. Nonetheless, it is imperative that the state agencies and the concessionaire do all they can to ensure that the affected communities are engaged and informed and that impacts are minimized.

I call upon you to take the following steps:

1. Require that the plan to close the entire Trail be revised. Rework the construction schedule to close particular segments at a time while allowing portions of the Trail to remain open as long as practicable;

2. Ensure that trees are preserved to the maximum extent possible;

3. Establish a plan and schedule for meetings of Community Advisory Teams;

4. Appoint a single point of contact for residents who have questions about construction activities in their communities; and

5. Set up a "hotline" for residents to report on issues arising during construction.

I recognize that the next few years will be difficult for many as this project is constructed. That's why it's critical for the State and the concessionaire to take all actions necessary to maintain open lines of communication with residents and with their elected representatives. I look to you to ensure that this happens.