A new light-rail line addition to Metrorail could draw an additional 47,000 riders daily, according to projections released Monday by Maryland transportation officials.
Many local residents are unhappy with the new plans, which were first publicized last night at an open house in Silver Spring. They say rail planners failed to incorporate obstacles such as nature trails, golf courses and college campuses in the way of the proposed route into their decisions.
The projected "purple line" and a parallel bus route would cross Maryland suburbs and bring an estimated 102,000 people into the District every day, The Washington Post reported.
The 16-mile track would run between Bethesda and New Carrollton, with stops in Silver Spring, College Park and Takoma/Langley Park. Travel time between end stations is expected to be between 46 and 73 minutes.
The cost of construction is estimated at $1.8 billion, according to the Post.
-CHRISTOPHER COTTRELL
