The Town has been able to secure a very preliminary cost estimate for the Purple Line pedestrian underpass which will be subject of a public hearing tonight (July 9) at 8:30 p.m. in the Town Hall.
The best cost estimate available for all the elements of the underpass (sidewalk from Lynn Drive path, underpass itself, property acquisition for switchback connection to Montgomery Avenue and construction of switchback connection) is $7 million. This is a total cost and MTA, the County and the Town have not yet discussed cost-sharing. It is clear that the Town would have to pay for the construction easement and cost of building the sidewalk to the underpass. MTA has said it will pay for the underpass itself, for additional walls and for the structure over the underpass.
That leaves the big-ticket items of property acquisition of 4306 Montgomery Avenue for the switchback connection and construction of the switchback connection.
Costs for the Town to bring the Lynn Drive path into ADA compliance, or to buy land or easements on which to build an ADA-compliant bridge directly into the underpass, are not yet known..
This preliminary cost information is being provided to inform residents as they prepare testimony or emails to the Council about the underpass proposal.