Infra Insight Blog

The Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT/ MTA) announced on December 11, 2013 that six private-sector teams responded to a Request for Qualifications to design, build, construct, finance, operate and maintain the Purple Line project.  The list of proposer teams is included in the joint press release.

The 16-mile light rail line, which will be constructed under Maryland’s newly adopted Public-Private Partnership law, runs between Bethesda in Montgomery County, Maryland and New Carrollton in Prince George’s County, Maryland.  Funded by a combination of federal, state and local governments, the total project cost is estimated at $2.2 billion.

Transportation Secretary James T. Smith, Jr. noted that the six responses, from local, national and worldwide firms, clearly demonstrate leaders in the P3 industry have strong interest in delivering this long-awaited project.

MDOT/MTA will announce a short list of teams in January 2014, following a thorough review.  Formal proposals will be due in early summer, and in late 2014 or early 2015, MDOT/MTA will select a preferred partner.  Construction is expected to begin as early as Spring 2015.

Maryland Transit Administrator Robert L. Smith said that the intent is to short list as many as four teams to ensure competition and innovation in the Purple Line project.

More information can be found on the project website.