Edwards Secures $1.5 Million for Purple Line in Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act for FY 2011
Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) continued her commitment today to funding the development of the Purple Line with the House passage of H.R. 5850, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act for FY 2011. The legislation provides critical investments to help address important challenges such as creating jobs, expanding public transportation, and ensuring that every American has adequate shelter. The legislation also includes $1.5 million for the Purple Line, and builds on the $3 million secured by Congresswoman Edwards in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010.
“As a long time advocate for the Purple Line, I am proud to secure federal funding for the Purple Line project that is critical to our entire region,” said Congresswoman Edwards. “This is an opportunity to redefine the scope of public transportation throughout our communities, providing connectivity and much needed transportation options in the region. I look forward to continuing to work with our local, state, and federal partners to further the development of the Purple Line and begin construction on my top transportation priority.”
Overall, investments in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act will create more than 160,000 new jobs, including 142,000 jobs in highway construction and 20,000 jobs through public transit investments like the Purple Line.
Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the unanimous affirmative vote in the Montgomery County Council making the Purple Line part of Montgomery County’s Master Plan. With public input, the Montgomery County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the updated Purple Line Functional Master Plan:
I applaud members of the Montgomery County Council for their leadership in helping to move the Purple Line forward and improve cross-county mass transit access in Maryland and the Washington suburbs. The unanimous decision to approve the Purple Line Functional Master Plan sends a clear message, with one voice, that the Purple Line is a transportation priority for Montgomery County and its residents. The vote firmly supports the alignment we announced last summer and the county will now incorporate the Purple line in its planning and development decisions going forward. From a perspective of energy conservation, reducing Beltway congestion and improving quality of life, the Purple Line is an important facet of Maryland’s commitment to facilitating smart and sustainable growth.
The plan for the 16-mile light rail line between Bethesda in Montgomery County and New Carrollton in Prince George’s County addresses station locations, alignment of the route and calls for added access points to the adjacent Capital Crescent Trail. The Maryland Transit Administration has submitted the Purple Line to the Federal Government for approval and to allow it to compete for federal funding.
