For immediate release: November 8, 2017

Metro seeks public input on changes to improve access to the MTA's Purple Line project

At the request of the State of Maryland, Metro is considering changes at three of its transit facilities to improve customer access to the Maryland Transit Administration's (MTA) Purple Line facilities. The proposed changes would occur at Bethesda, Silver Spring and New Carrollton Metrorail stations.

Bethesda Metrorail Station
  • Construction of a new south entrance that will connect with the street level and the Bethesda Purple Line station.

Silver Spring Metrorail Station

  • Construction of a new entrance from the south end of the station platform to connect with the upper level of the existing Silver Spring Transit Center and the Silver Spring Purple Line station.

New Carrollton Metrorail Station

  • Removal of 500-600 parking spaces from the Park & Ride Surface Lot 4 on the station's north side to make way for the New Carrollton Purple Line station facilities.
  • Transfer of 480 parking spaces to WMATA from the State of Maryland. This state-owned Park & Ride Lot is on the south side of New Carrollton Metrorail station.

Customers are encouraged to provide input on the proposed changes to transit facilities. Comments will be provided to the Metro Board of Directors for final review and approval in early 2018. If approved, all changes would be funded by the State of Maryland.

Customer feedback may be provided through 5 p.m. on Friday, December 15:

  • Complete an online survey.
  • Attend an open house Tuesday, December 5, 2017, beginning at 5:30 p.m. followed by a public hearing at 6 p.m. Speakers are requested to register in advance via email at speak@wmata.com.

    Metro Headquarters Building
    600 Fifth St. NW
    Washington, DC 20001
    (via Metrorail: Gallery Place or Judiciary Square)

HOW TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY NOT AT THE PUBLIC HEARING - Testimony may be submitted via comment form, found at www.wmata.com/initiatives. The comment form will close on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 5 p.m. It will provide the opportunity to submit free-form comments and provide attachments. This option is in addition to your ability to speak at a public hearing. For those without access to computers or internet, testimony may also be mailed to the Office of the Secretary, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. The comments received by the Office of the Secretary, along with the comment form results and public hearing comments, will be presented to the Board and will be part of the official public hearing record.

Please note all statements are releasable to the public upon request, and may be posted on WMATA's website, without change, including any personal information provided. Customers without access to computers or internet, may obtain copies of the dockets in their entirety at area libraries or by request from Metro's Office of the Secretary by calling 202-962-2511.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, disability or family status. If you require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or translation services (free of charge), contact the project team at 202-962-2511 (TTY: 202-962-2033) as soon as possible prior to the public hearing date.