ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has directed the Maryland Department of Transportation to move forward with the nearly $2.5-billion Purple Line project, but with a significant cutback in state funding for the 16-mile light rail initiative.

Gov. Hogan announced that that the state would spend $1.97 billion for highways and bridges maintenance and construction from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. The priority projects, which will get underway by 2018, include $1.35 billion in new projects going to construction and $625 million in preserved projects. The $1.35 billion in new projects includes $845 million for major projects and $500 million to fix bridges and improve roads.

At the June 25th press conference, Gov. Hogan also announced that the state would not move forward with the $2.9-billion Red Line east-west light rail line geared to improving transportation in the Baltimore region.

In connection with the Purple Line project that will connect Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George's County, the state would embark on a scaled-back version of the project, reducing the state's share in the Purple Line to $168 million from the the original proposal that would have required the state to contribute close to $700 million for the project. The state is hopeful that the federal government will contribute $900 million to the Purple Line project.

“I have always said this decision was never about whether public transit was worthwhile, but whether it is affordable and makes sense,” said Gov. Hogan. “In reducing costs here, hundreds of millions of dollars will become available for other important projects. Our administration promised to chart a new course for Maryland—one where economic development and jobs are our top priority. The Purple Line is a long-term investment that will be an important economic driver for our state.”

The Purple Line is a proposed 16-mile light rail line extending from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George's County. It would provide a direct connection to the Metrorail Red, Green and Orange lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park, and New Carrollton. The Purple Line would also connect to MARC, Amtrak, and local bus services. Construction was scheduled to start this year and be completed by 2020.

Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III in a prepared statement in response to Gov. Hogan's Purple Line announcement, stated, “I want to thank Gov. Hogan and his administration for diligently evaluating the merits of building the Purple Line between Prince George's and Montgomery counties. The governor's announcement today clearly shows that he recognizes the positive impact this project could have on the region and State of Maryland. The Purple Line will create 23,000 jobs, spurring economic development while reducing traffic congestion and pollution.”

In terms of the governor's call for increased contributions from Montgomery and Prince George's counties, he added, “Prince George's County has already committed an extraordinary amount for local governments to contribute toward a state project. I will thoroughly review this proposal along with my budget, finance, economic development and transportation advisors to assess what this means for Prince George's County. In addition, we will work in concert with Montgomery County to analyze whether this new proposal maintains the spirit of the initial plan for the Purple Line and will lead to the outcomes and benefits we have been talking about for years.”

Prince George's County Council Chairman Mel Franklin states that the governor's scaled back Purple Line proposal differs significantly from the original vision.

“While we appreciate the governor's support for the Purple Line, today's decision drastically reduces state funding for the project from $700 million to under $200 million, and is contingent upon federal government funding and additional funding from Prince George's and Montgomery counties," he said. "This causes concern about the state's commitment and the future of the project. It is also unfortunate that the governor has chosen not to move forward with the Red Line Project, which would have provided better transit options in the Baltimore area.”

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett also released a statement on the governor's Purple Line announcement, which stated in part: “I look forward to further discussions with the governor over every aspect of the Purple Line—cost, design, construction schedule, and the role Montgomery County will be able to play in making the Purple Line a reality. Enabling people to move around the Washington, DC Metro area is extremely important to our overall quality of life. It is important for us to continue to invest in new businesses that create jobs and grow our tax base. Montgomery County benefits.”

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said she was "disheartened" about Gov. Hogan's decision to kill the Red Line project. "Although the governor has promised to support economic growth in Baltimore, he cancelled a project that would have expanded economic development, created thousands of jobs, increased access to thousands more, and offered residents better health care, childcare, and educational opportunities,” Mayor Rawlings-Blake stated. “I remain committed to working with my partners in government, the business community, and all our community partners to fight for transit opportunities for Baltimore's residents."