Maryland leaders and transit activists called on a federal judge Tuesday to issue a ruling allowing the Purple Line to be built in the Washington suburbs, saying a delay in a court case blocking the project is costing taxpayers money.
The light-rail plan to connect Montgomery and Prince George’s counties needs a favorable court ruling to get its federal environmental approval reinstated before it can secure $900 million in federal grants and begin major construction.
“Let me just say very politely, ‘Judge, your delay in making a decision is costing taxpayers money — every day, every hour,’ ” Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) said at a rally in downtown Silver Spring.
Purple Line construction remains on hold as U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon reconsiders his August decision to revoke the line’s environmental approval. The ruling, which favored the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed by Purple Line opponents, made the project ineligible for federal funding. It came days before Maryland officials were scheduled to sign an agreement for nearly $1 billion in federal construction aid.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Katherine Shaver over at the Washington Post