A project dogged by controversy and opposition took another blow this week, this time from a federal judge. The ongoing safety and operations issue of the Metrorail system played a role in the ruling.
The Associated Press reports that a federal judge is requiring the state of Maryland to re-do its study of anticipated ridership for the Purple Line, a 16.2-mile line planned for the Metrorail system.
In a separate article, Kristi King explains the reasing behind the decision "U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon said Maryland must do another study projecting anticipated Purple Line ridership [pdf] that takes into account the potential impact of declining Metrorail ridership and safety issues."
Construction on the Purple Line was scheduled to begin in 2016, but the court ruling, and the study process, could set that target back by six months. The court ruling follows years of local opposition, but last Planetizen heard from the project, in April 2016, there was positive news about a contract to build and operate the line.
FULL STORY: Federal judge orders further study of Purple Line, delays start
Court Ruling Could Be a Final Setback for Maryland Purple Line Extension
A recent ruling by a U.S. district court could be a deathblow for the 16-mile Purple Line extension into Maryland, as well as for transit planning in general.
Purple Line Light Rail Gets Critical Go-Ahead in Maryland
The Purple Line light rail route will connect Bethesda and New Carrollton in Maryland.
DC Metro Is Betting on Buses
The agency plans to significantly expand bus service, which can be added faster and at a lower cost than rail projects.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk
High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.
Massachusetts Budget Helps Close MBTA Budget Gap
The budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey includes $470 million in MBTA funding for the next fiscal year.
Milwaukee Launches Vision Zero Plan
Seven years after the city signed its Complete Streets Policy, the city is doubling down on its efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont