Response to “Rethinking the Purple Line”

The MTA would like to correct a few points made in the recent mailer sent by the Town of Chevy Chase.

1. The MTA has always recognized the importance of providing, parallel to a transitway, the permanent Capital Crescent Trail along the Georgetown Branch Master Plan alignment for trail users and residents – which was originally purchased and has been maintained as an alignment for future transit service.

2. The MTA has performed engineering which shows that the transitway and a 10’ trail can be accommodated in the 66’ right-of-way. The maintenance of the trail width through the tunnel would be accomplished through vertical separation.

3. The trail will in no case be reduced to a width less than 10’ and will include two 2’ shoulders or clear areas on either side.

4. The MTA has worked closely with Montgomery County (the future owner/operator of the trail), trail users, trail advocacy groups, and adjacent communities to ensure that the permanent trail is designed to be safe, attractive and accessible.

5. The tree clearing of 15 acres along the Master Plan alignment is not based on the MTA’s plans and has not been identified as an impact anywhere in MTA analysis or documents. The clearing of most trees within the 66’ right-of-way will be necessary to accommodate both the transitway and the permanent trail. Landscaping and re-plantings will be included in our plans for the Master Plan alignment through coordination with adjacent communities and stakeholders.

6. There is no evidence that a 20 degree temperature change would occur as a result of the clearing of trees along the Master Plan alignment. A 20 degree temperature change associated with tree canopies has been identified as pertaining to surface temperature of buildings or in dense urban downtowns where pavement and buildings retain heat. Neither condition is present, or will be present, along the Purple Line.

7. The MTA is committed to accommodating a trail through the tunnel, as supported by many trail users and trail advocacy groups. An alternative option – developed previously by Montgomery County – to provide alternative travel options throughout Bethesda includes an off-road surface trail providing a connection along Elm Street and Bethesda Avenue. At no point will a bicyclist be forced onto busy streets.

8. The tail tracks at the Bethesda terminal station would be used only if extra vehicles are required at peak hours or in the case of emergency conditions. This tail track has never been designed to store vehicles for maintenance or switching to another track. The proximity of the maintenance yard at Lyttonsville makes such use at Bethesda redundant.