Purple Push

The Purple line is back in the news.

Supporters of a transit link between Montgomery and Prince George's counties are renewing efforts to persuade state lawmakers to fund a light-rail system that they say would bring environmentally friendly traffic relief.

For more on this issue see this previous post (Purple Passion). The trail continues to be held out as a reason to not build the rail line.

Opponents say a light rail along the most studied route between Bethesda and Silver Spring would destroy the Georgetown Branch of the Capital Crescent Trail, a popular wooded walking and bike path in an otherwise urban area.

Destroy is probably too strong a word, since a trail would continue to run the same general route and would even continue in to Silver Spring, but it would become less parklike. It's important to think long-term on this. An underground, metro-compatible system would be the best technical decision - no doubt. Is it the best value? Hard to say. But if the trail becomes the reason to not build the rail, it will set back railbanking efforts in general. Already in Seattle they're having trouble setting aside a rail line for interim trail use because transit advocates fear they'll never get it back.

Metropolitan King County Councilman Larry Phillips wants to see passenger rail developed in the near future, warning that Sims' "trails first" approach might make it impossible to bring back rail later.

"I think of trying to convert the Burke-Gilman Trail back into a rail line," Phillips says. "Politically, it won't go."

We have to be seen as dealing in good faith, or no one will deal with us in the future. It's like borrowing your friend's "Joshua Tree" CD. If you don't return it promptly, you'll never get to borrow their "Office" DVDs.

In other CCT/Georgetown Branch news

DPWT has graded the Interim CCT east of the Rock Creek Trestle and has taken the barriers away that had marked the trail as closed. The newly graded surface is minimally compacted crushed stone, with some course gravel or bare earth in places. The deep ruts are gone, and the trail is once again passable for bicycles except those with narrow profile road tires. For now.

But the underlying storm water drainage problem has not been addressed. We remain only one bad storm away from having this trail repair be washed away.

The CCCT worked hard last spring to get funding in the FY07 Operating Budget to address this storm drainage problem. As a result DPWT was tasked to do a drainage study of this area and to perform trail repairs. $200k was allocated in the DPWT Operating Budget for this purpose. DPWT has just completed the drainage study, and is now deciding what corrective measures will be taken. Cleaning the large storm drain at milepost 0.5, fitting that drain with better trash screens, restoring the side ditches along the trail, and paving several hundred feet of the worst trail sections are options being considered. DPWT representative Dan Sheridan has indicated to CCCT Chair Peter Gray that DPWT expects it can complete some of these actions this spring. We will continue to urge DPWT to move forward as quickly as possible.

Comments

[Wayne Phyillaier]

Bruce Adams, who supported purchasing the ROW and creating the interim trail while on the Montgomery County Council, observed:

"The Capital Crescent Trail is a regional jewel, but it would not exist today had the council not voted in 1988 to purchase the right-of-way for the rail line", and
"For trail supporters to attempt to block the rail line by arguing that it will destroy the trail is just not playing fair."
(February 6, 2003 letter to Montgomery Gazette).

Not only are the "Save the Trail" folks hurting the whole railbanking system by breaking faith with the promise that future rail uses can be considered, they are undercutting support for completing the Metropolitan Trail by promoting the myth that trails and rail are incompatible. They are also obstructing the only realistic option for completing the Capital Crescent Trail through Woodside into downtown Silver Spring. They are only thinking about their very local interests.

[RailsNTrails]

The Purple Line rail and trail segment (from Bethesda to Silver Spring) is all about balance - we give a little (25' for two sets of rails for a few miles and we get a critically important (and very expensive!) mile plus of off road trail. Having been sideswiped on my bike twice in this life, there is no absolutely no doubt in my mind that this is a worthy compromise. The opposition to this sensible use of a public right of way is ringing increasingly false as their failure to deliver a plan for a trail-only project into Silver Spring moves into its second decade.

They say it is about the trees, but most trees will need to be cut (and replanted as required by NEPA!) on the segment running into Silver Spring. The focus needs to be on the finished project - a green ribbon between Georgetown and Union Station - yes, with a quiet light rail running alongside a trail for the Bethesda to Silver Spring segment. It is time to get this trail AND transit link in place and stop listening to nimby hogwash.

[w]

we could use a nice highway from Silver Spring to Georgetown.