Maryland’s Purple Line has a new contractor

Nov. 8, 2021

Purple Line Transit Partners working with state transportation and transit officials selected a team from Dragados USA and OHL USA.

Mischa Wanek-Libman

LRVs for future Purple Line service are being built by CAF.

Maryland Transit Solutions (MTS), a team comprised of Dragados USA Inc. and OHL USA Inc., has been selected to be the design-build contractor to complete the Purple Line after a joint evaluation by Purple Line Transit Partners (PLTP), Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).

MTS was one of three teams shortlisted to bid on the 16-mile light-rail project. The other two teams were a joint-venture of Tutor-Perini and Lunda and Halmar International, which opted not to submit a bid.

“We’re very excited to bring on MTS so the Purple Line can begin serving the people of Maryland as soon as possible,” said Chairman of PLTP Board of Directors Jane Garvey. “In their proposal, discussions and oral presentation, MTS showed they possess all the right qualities – thorough knowledge of the project, across-the- board expertise and a demonstrated spirit of partnership – to get the job done efficiently and with excellence.”

She added, “Working in lockstep with MDOT MTA, we’re heartened that our procurement effort attracted two quality bids and we thank Tutor-Perini/Lunda for their strong proposal.”

The contract with MTS needs to be finalized and approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW). It is anticipated MTS will mobilize and resume full-scale construction of the Purple Line next spring.

MDOT MTA says it intends to return to BPW with the selected contractor, replacement design-build contract and amended P3 Agreement, which will include an updated project cost and schedule for completion. Commercial and financial close is anticipated in February 2022 and is dependent on BPW’s approval.

“I’m excited to partner with Maryland Transit Solutions to move full speed ahead with construction and delivery of this regionally important project,” said MDOT Secretary Greg Slater. “We have made a lot of progress in this interim period. Today’s news is one more step towards completion and one more step towards Marylanders riding on this critical transit connection. I want to thank everyone for their continued patience as we work hard to get the Purple Line back on track.”

The project was nearly derailed by litigation, which was eventually settled with a $250-million agreement between parties and the exit of the project’s original contractor. PLTP holds the public-private partnership agreement with MDOT MTA to design, build, finance and operate the light-rail project. The team is comprised of Meridiam and Star America.

When it opens, the 21-station Purple Line will run between Bethesda, Md., and New Carrollton and provide connections to Red, Green and Orange Metrorail lines, MARC and Amtrak rail services, as well as local buses.

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.