Opponents cite reasons to oppose Purple Line

Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007

Opponents cite reasons to oppose Purple Line

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Kathy Jentz asks why people concerned with air pollution do not automatically support the Purple Line (‘‘Why oppose Purple Line?” Jan. 10 letter).

Perhaps it’s because the Purple Line will not take people out of cars; it will take people off the bus. So far I have not seen any studies suggesting that the Purple Line as proposed will cut down on Beltway traffic.

If reducing air pollution is the issue, then the Outer Purple Line plan to link the Greenbelt, White Oak, North Bethesda and Rock Springs employment areas makes more sense.

Grace Palladino, Bethesda

Why oppose the Purple Line? It’s not the concept of a Purple Line that so many oppose, but a light rail on the Capital Crescent Trail.

Walter Reed Army Hospital and clinics will soon be relocated at Bethesda Naval Hospital, and thousands of new employees, visitors and outpatients will be coming daily.

The Purple Line loop — a Metro rail line from Silver Spring to Bethesda Medical Center, proposed by former County Executive Doug Duncan, makes more sense. It would provide a seamless, faster Metro connection and attract more riders than light rail. And it would enhance Metro, allowing for several configurations between Shady Grove and Glenmont, and improve Metro’s ability to evacuate in emergencies and Metro’s potential for expansion.

Pam Browning, Chevy Chase

The writer is an organizer for the Petition Drive to Save the Trail.