FTA, Maryland Transit Administration appeal judge's Purple Line decision

WASHINGTON,D.C. — The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) joined the Maryland Transit Administration to appeal a judge’s ruling requiring a new environmental study of the Purple Line light rail project, WTOP reports.

Despite the FTA’s sign off on the project, plaintiffs against the Purple Line had successfully argued a more comprehensive environmental review is necessary, as the latest environmental impact study reportedly didn’t fully address issues of cost and ridership and is missing information about how the agency’s “decline in ridership and safety and reliability would affect the Purple Line, which would depend on it.”

The State of Maryland has already invested $800 million in the project but it cannot access promised federal dollars to move forward while the case is in court. For the full story, click here.