Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD)



, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation Subcommittee, today praised
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley for advancing the Purple Line development for Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. The proposed 16.3-mile light rail line will connect major centers of Bethesda/Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, University of Maryland/College Park, and New Carrolton with residential and business areas in between including Takoma/Langley.
  Once completed, the Purple Line is expected to take approximately 19,000 cars off the road each day.

“Moving forward on a light rail Purple Line is good news for thousands of Marylanders currently wasting time, money and gas in gridlock. The lack of affordable, convenient transportation choices connecting Maryland communities, along with Metro, MARC and Amtrak, has been frustrating for individuals and businesses throughout our region, but that is changing. As we begin to develop climate change legislation in the Senate, my number one priority will be to ensure that we make robust investments in public transit projects such as the Purple Line that will be good for our economy and good for our environment,”
said Senator Cardin.

“Nearly half of the riders on the new Purple Line are expected to connect to Metrorail and MARC, linking to a system that for 30 years has proven its value to our region and the federal government.
  These new rail stops, linking major federal facilities like the consolidated National Medical Center in Bethesda, the Social Security Administration in Silver Spring, NOAA center for Weather and Climate Prediction at College Park, and the IRS in New Carrolton, among many others, will help strengthen the important role of public transit in the day-to-day functioning of the National Capital Region.

“I am pleased that Gov. O’Malley was able to make accommodations to the route plan to preserve and expand some of the hiker/biker trails across the area. I have walked these trails myself and understand what value they provide to our community.”