Save The Trail Petition

Testimony before the

COG Transportation Planning Board

July 17 , 2009

Francesca Kelly, Bethesda, Maryland

The Purple Line, as currently planned, is an outdated project that is not a wise use of funds.   Here are seven reasons why:

1.              It doesn’t address larger traffic issues in the region that affect many more people.   A true metro line would be a heavy-rail connection of the various radiating arms of Metro lines, either underground or above-ground along existing roadways, would be more cost-effective in the long run, and take many more cars off the road.

2.              It does not properly address the BRAC expansion.  At least 2200 more workers will start at Navy Medical Center in the next 2 years.   Yet the head of the Purple Line will be in downtown Bethesda, 1.5 miles away. 

3.              It will destroy 17 acres of mature forest and natural habitat.   All the trees lining the Trail will come down, along with their attendant wildlife.

4.              It will not be built on already existing roadways as many effective European trams are, but on the most popular trail in Montgomery County, averaging 10,000 uses per week. 

5.              It puts two rail lines where there is only room enough for one.  The original freight train that came through only twice a day was on a single track.  Many of us believe that the first thing to be sacrificed will be the trail component of the plan.  If at least a 66-foot width is needed for this project, and the distance between some homes across the Trail is less than that, do the math – houses may come down too.

6.           It will have at-grade crossings and so be a danger to pedestrians who are used to crossing the Trail, especially school children.  Overall, Maryland has averaged nine pedestrian train deaths per year since 2003.  If the trains are as quiet as they’re purported to be, then pedestrians will not hear them approach.  And if the trains are not quiet, we have another problem, that of noise in residential neighborhoods.

7.              It will diminish the quality of life of residents near the Trail.  And trains down the middle of the trail will permanently divide neighborhoods where families and friends are now connected.  

Many of us opposing this Purple Line are all for public transport.  But destroying a green space for it is just backwards thinking.  Using existing roadways, or going underground, makes so much more sense.

 The issue isn’t about “Not in My Backyard.”  The question instead should be, “Why in ANYONE’s backyard?”  Please rethink the Purple Line.