Maryland Schools in the Path of the Purple Line

The Purple Line, a proposed 16-mile light rail system to connect Maryland's suburbs, is scheduled to begin final design work next summer. Four K-12 schools in Montgomery and Prince George's County are currently in the rail line's path. Route and station locations are subject to change. Click on the yellow school crossing signs to see how each school would be affected:

Map courtesy of the Maryland Transportation Authority; Interactive by Tim Ebner/Capital News Service

Rosemary Hills E.S.

Rosemary Hills Elementary School

At Rosemary Hills Elementary School in Silver Spring, the Purple Line route will be built alongside an existing CSX rail line, located directly behind the school. The addition of the Purple Line will require the widening of the track and the reconfiguration of a roadway bridge on Talbot Avenue. To accommodate for the widening and bridge construction, a large retaining wall will be built and take away from existing buffer space behind the school. School and PTA officials are worried that a steady increase in student enrollment, coupled with restricted property space will lead to overcrowding on the campus.

Map courtesy: Google

Silver Spring International M.S.

Silver Spring International Middle School

Silver Spring International Middle School is likely to see the most significant impact from Purple Line rail construction. The Maryland Transit Administration is considering a Dale Drive rail station which would be located next to the school. An ongoing study will determine if a new station is built. The roadway and rail line construction will reshape school parking and bus drop-offs. Currently, a plan is in place to reconfigure parking at the corner of Dale Drive and Wayne Avenue (see area of map highlighted in red). It's likely that parking on campus will be reduced, school district planners said.

Map courtesy: Google

Sligo Creek E.S.

Sligo Creek Elementary School

Sligo Creek Elementary School is located within the same campus of Silver Spring International Middle School. The school is preparing for alterations to parking and traffic flow, said school principal Diantha Swift. While the entrance to the elementary school is located one block north and east of the proposed Dale Avenue rail station, Swift said parents and teachers have raised concerns about student safety at school crossings, where the rail line intersects.

Map courtesy: Google

EXCEL Academy

EXCEL Academy Public Charter School

EXCEL Academy Public Charter School in Riverdale operates in a building that formerly served as a Catholic school. The Archdiocese of Washington currently leases the property to the public charter school. In the proposed plan, the purple line will be built alongside the school's gymnasium. The roadway will be widened to accommodate the rail line, and a station entrance is proposed one block away.


Map courtesy: Google