Purple Line live-wire testing expands to Montgomery County

BETHESDA, MD. - After years of construction, delays and rising costs, the Purple Line has entered a major new phase.

What we know:

The Maryland Transit Administration has expanded overnight "live-wire" testing to a new section of the Purple Line between Lyttonsville and Bethesda, marking one of the final steps before the light rail line opens to passengers, according to transit officials. This represents the very first time light rail vehicles have undergone live-wire testing in Montgomery County.

Trains will operate overnight from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. along approximately 2.5 miles of dedicated track running through Lyttonsville, Chevy Chase and Bethesda. Following the first week of overnight runs, testing will transition to daytime hours on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Officials reminded the public that the overhead power lines were energized and urged people to stay out of work zones and never enter the track area.

Additionally, officials noted that these new light rail vehicles are exceptionally quiet, producing noise levels comparable to standard cars and trucks.

What they're saying:

Officials say it’s a major step forward because it means the project is transitioning from building the system to making sure it can operate safely before passengers ever step on board. MTA is now actively conducting live-wire testing on four out of the seven total sections of the Purple Line alignment.

"The Purple Line is here. We are testing the actual system. You can actually see the 28 light rail trains, and it’s a testament to the last track that went in May—that east-west connection," Ray Biggs II, senior project director for the Purple Line with the Maryland Transit Administration, told FOX 5 D.C. 

READ MORE: Maryland Purple Line reaches milestone with final track installed

During this phase, systems engineers and trained operators are evaluating how the trains perform under live overhead power, testing overall system functionality including track integrity and electrical systems. Testing will also evaluate braking systems, signals, acceleration, communications, and periodic testing of the trains' horns and bells.

Officials said motorists will not encounter trains in traffic during this portion of testing because the trains are operating on a dedicated right-of-way. MTA crews have also completed the installation of all 1,187 overhead wire poles that support the essential power lines across the route.

Once complete, the 16-mile, 21-station Purple Line will connect Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton, creating an east-west transit link. It will connect riders to Metro's Red, Green, Yellow, Orange and Silver Lines, as well as MARC, Amtrak and local bus systems without requiring a trip through downtown Washington, per officials.

The project was originally expected to open in 2022, but construction stalled after a contractor exited during former Gov. Larry Hogan’s administration. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic challenges added further delays.

Biggs said the project is now about 90% complete, but emphasized that the remaining work is among the most critical.

What's next:

The Purple Line is expected to begin service by the end of 2027. 

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