WMATA mulls station changes to improve access to Maryland light-rail line

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) officials are considering potential changes to three rail stations to improve access to the Maryland Transit Administration's future Purple Line light-rail route.

WMATA is mulling the changes at the request of Maryland state officials, agency officials said in a press release. At WMATA's station in Bethesda, Maryland, the agency would build a new south entrance that will connect with street level and the Bethesda Purple Line station.

WMATA also is considering building a new entrance from the south end of the Silver Spring Station platform to connect with the upper level of the existing Silver Spring Transit Center and a future Purple Line station.

Moreover, WMATA would remove hundreds of parking spaces at a lot on the north side of its New Carrollton station to make way for the Purple Line's station facilities. WMATA would transfer 480 parking spaces from a lot on the south side of the station to the state of Maryland.

WMATA will solicit public opinion at a meeting Dec. 5 on the proposed changes. The agency will accept comments online through Dec. 15.

In late August, the Federal Transit Administration signed a $900 million federal grant agreement to build Maryland's 16.2-mile Purple Line. The route would run from Bethesda to New Carrollton, Maryland.