The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) in the USA,  Purple Line Transit Partners (PLTP) and Purple Line Transit Constructors (PLTC) continue active negotiations on the Maryland Light Rail Purple Line P3 after the design-build team announced their intent to leave the project.

The Purple Line Transit Constructors design-build team is comprised of Fluor, The Lane Construction Corporation and Traylor Bros., Inc.

PLTC’s design-build agreement includes an exit clause under which PLTC may leave the project if total delays reach 365 days. PLTC has spent nearly three years negotiating with MDOT/MTA in the hopes of continuing its participation in the project, even though delays have extended well beyond the 365-day threshold. The project timeline and costs have been pushed well past original forecasts due to events out of PLTC’s control. The lack of meaningful resolution on the impacts of third-party lawsuits, delayed right-of-way acquisition, and changes to regulations and third-party agreements have made PLTC’s continued participation unsustainableand therefore they have announced of their decision to leave the project .

MDOT and PLTP provided an update on the progress towards reaching a settlement agreement:

Statement from Transportation Secretary Greg Slater:

Over the past several weeks, PLTP, PLTC and MDOT have been in some of the most productive discussions I have ever participated in. We are focused on understanding the complex details and perspectives involved in vacating the Record of Decision associated with the lawsuit filed by the Friends of the Capital Crescent Trail and the resulting issues that have compounded to create the situation we are in today. These discussions are focused on a fair and reasonable settlement to allow the Purple Line to continue its successful development and the best path to deliver this important project for Maryland citizens. We have everyone at the table all rowing in the same direction. That’s rare in negotiations like these.

Statement from Purple Line Transit Partners Chief Executive Officer Peter van der Waart:

Purple Line Transit Partners appreciates Secretary Slater’s positive approach to our negotiations and we’re pleased with our progress to date. We share his steadfast commitment to negotiating in good faith to produce a fair and equitable agreement that enables us to continue delivering the Purple Line to the people of Maryland.