MTA unveils purple line costs
Ben Slivnick
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: News
The Maryland Transit Administration dealt a blow to the university's proposed Preinkert Drive route for the Purple Line last night, announcing it would be cheaper to run the transitway down Campus Drive.
Students have contended it would be most convenient if the Purple Line runs down Campus Drive with a stop in the center of campus at Stamp Student Union, but administrators contend that route could endanger pedestrians and tarnish the campus's look.
Secretary of Transportation John Porcari will have the final say on the $1.7-billion transitway that will connect outer-Beltway suburbs. State officials said they'll weigh opinions of stakeholders on both sides along with the differences in aesthetics, pedestrian impact, travel times and cost.
In a presentation MTA engineers gave to a group of university, city and student leaders at city hall last night, the Campus Drive route appeared to have an edge in two of those categories.
After completing an extensive study of campus traffic patterns, MTA engineering consultant Joel Oppenheimer announced the Campus Drive alignment would affect the university's historic look less - the Preinkert Drive option would narrowly squeeze between the South Campus Diner and Lefrak Hall and cut past the Memorial Chapel.
Transit planners also proposed lining Campus Drive with brick plazas and announced the route would be $3 million cheaper than its alternative.
University officials have proposed the Purple Line - which will stop four times in College Park regardless of its on-campus route - should veer toward the outskirts of campus down Preinkert Drive regardless.
Aesthetics have been a centerpiece of administrators' arguments against the Campus Drive alignment, but pedestrian traffic remains another major worry. The MTA confirmed Preinkert Drive would likely see 60 percent fewer pedestrians and that both routes would have virtually similar travel times.
Vice President for Administrative Affairs Doug Duncan declined to comment on the MTA's findings last night, except to say that he maintains the costs of both proposals are "pretty much the same." But Student Government Association President Andrew Friedson, who has endorsed the Campus Drive plan, said the night's presentation largely confirmed his opinions.
Students have contended it would be most convenient if the Purple Line runs down Campus Drive with a stop in the center of campus at Stamp Student Union, but administrators contend that route could endanger pedestrians and tarnish the campus's look.
Secretary of Transportation John Porcari will have the final say on the $1.7-billion transitway that will connect outer-Beltway suburbs. State officials said they'll weigh opinions of stakeholders on both sides along with the differences in aesthetics, pedestrian impact, travel times and cost.
In a presentation MTA engineers gave to a group of university, city and student leaders at city hall last night, the Campus Drive route appeared to have an edge in two of those categories.
After completing an extensive study of campus traffic patterns, MTA engineering consultant Joel Oppenheimer announced the Campus Drive alignment would affect the university's historic look less - the Preinkert Drive option would narrowly squeeze between the South Campus Diner and Lefrak Hall and cut past the Memorial Chapel.
Transit planners also proposed lining Campus Drive with brick plazas and announced the route would be $3 million cheaper than its alternative.
University officials have proposed the Purple Line - which will stop four times in College Park regardless of its on-campus route - should veer toward the outskirts of campus down Preinkert Drive regardless.
Aesthetics have been a centerpiece of administrators' arguments against the Campus Drive alignment, but pedestrian traffic remains another major worry. The MTA confirmed Preinkert Drive would likely see 60 percent fewer pedestrians and that both routes would have virtually similar travel times.
Vice President for Administrative Affairs Doug Duncan declined to comment on the MTA's findings last night, except to say that he maintains the costs of both proposals are "pretty much the same." But Student Government Association President Andrew Friedson, who has endorsed the Campus Drive plan, said the night's presentation largely confirmed his opinions.
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James
posted 4/10/08 @ 9:12 AM EST
Secretary of Transportation John Porcari will have the final say and he used to be UMCP's Vice President for Adminstrative Affairs about 6 years ago. I wonder what his stance was when he worked for the University compared to his stance now that his works for O'Malley. (Continued…)
Sumner Handy
posted 4/11/08 @ 12:20 AM EST
RHA President comments here: http://marylandrha.blogspot.com/2008/04/campus-v-preinkert.html
Also, I agree with James: it will be interesting to hear Porcari's full opinion on the matter. (Continued…)
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