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Both suburban Maryland and the Westside of LA both have something in common: a general east-west segment dubbed the Purple Line for both Metro systems. Both involve proper funding and approval, and both are getting approvals at this time, though construction is yet to begin for either. Both are vital in encourage transit and improving congestion, and both contain large swaths under a major throughfare (East-West Hwy and Wilshire Blvd), and both will serve multiple office districts as well as residential areas (Bethesda/Westwood, Chevy Chase/Beverly Hills, and the Miracle Mile/Silver Spring). Now comes the tricky part: which system will complete their projects first, and which will have the greatest impact on their commutes?
Both suburban Maryland and the Westside of LA both have something in common: a general east-west segment dubbed the Purple Line for both Metro systems. Both involve proper funding and approval, and both are getting approvals at this time, though construction is yet to begin for either. Both are vital in encourage transit and improving congestion, and both contain large swaths under a major throughfare (East-West Hwy and Wilshire Blvd), and both will serve multiple office districts as well as residential areas (Bethesda/Westwood, Chevy Chase/Beverly Hills, and the Miracle Mile/Silver Spring). Now comes the tricky part: which system will complete their projects first, and which will have the greatest impact on their commutes?
First off, it depends on what you mean by "Complete". The Purple Line, when complete will go all the way to Santa Monica. Right now, it is only funded through Westwood. The current extension, through Westwood, will be done in two parts. First to La Cienega Blvd on the LA/BH border (opening in 2020), then to the VA Hospital just west of the 405 (opening 2036).
The game-changer will be how much funding the Purple Line gets through the just passed (and I believed signed) transportation bill that includes just about all of the America Fast Forward program - a huge win for Los Angeles, even if the bill itself leaves much to be desired for the rest of the nation. Under the America Fast Forward Program, the second half of the line would open between 2022-2024.
The line has a projected ridership of between 270,000 and 290,000 daily riders.
Looking up the other Purple Line, it looks like it is LRT, which may make it easier to build faster (and certainly much cheaper). I'm gonna go with the DC one being built first, though the Purple Line in LA is probably the "more important" line, as evidenced by its large projected ridership.
The purple line in Maryland will not be a subway line. The proposal is for light rail. It may eventually extend into Virginia and circle all the way around DC.
The purple line in Maryland will not be a subway line. The proposal is for light rail. It may eventually extend into Virginia and circle all the way around DC.
Anybody trying to stop it from being built?
In LA the wonderful government of the city of Beverly Hills is doing everything in its power to stop the line, even if it flies in the face of the vast majority of their constituents.
In LA the wonderful government of the city of Beverly Hills is doing everything in its power to stop the line, even if it flies in the face of the vast majority of their constituents.
I haven't been following the purple line proposal in Maryland that closely. Even if it happens, it's still several years away. Street cars were a common form of transportation in the DC metro area until 1962 (long before I was around here). But currently, there is no light rail here. I think they will try to coincide the construction of the purple line in Maryland with the development of several light rail lines in DC proper.
In the meantime, the holy grail of public transit in the DC area will remain metrorail. Currently, it's being greatly expanded as the silver line is being built out to Dulles Airport in northern Virginia. Part of the silver line is supposed to be in service starting next year. Hopefully, there won't be additional delays because of lack of funds.
LA seems a bit more committed to be building it, though the Maryland government has shown strong support for light rail they haven't finalized their choice. I'd assume it'll be faster to construct the Maryland line, though. Both are some of the more interesting transit projects under construction:
1) LA's for being a full-fledged subway line in an urban area without much subways, replacing one of the most used bus corridors in the nation. C'mon San Francisco... Geary Blvd?
2) Maryland from being one of the few suburb to suburb rail lines in the county. Looks like it might be able to fix a gap in the metro system.
I would say a subway line to Westwood would probably have a much better shot at getting completed. At least Westwood is still in the city limits of Los Angeles. It is much more difficult nowadays to try a build subway lines going into suburban communities. They are usually met with great opposition from suburbanites who live in those towns. For some odd reason commuter rail and light rail lines are generally more accepted by suburbanites than having a subway line run through their town.
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