Purple Line Train Testing to Begin Near College Park Metro Station

Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Charles R. Ruening sent the following message to the campus community on Thursday:

With construction of the Purple Line light-rail project more than 80% complete along the entire alignment, we are nearing an important milestone: testing of the light-rail vehicles on campus. This is an exciting step toward full system operation, which is scheduled for December 2027. 

Here are some important precautions to take near the Purple Line:

Overhead Power Lines
The high-voltage overhead wires installed along the Purple Line alignment will power the trains. These lines will be energized soon and should be treated with the same caution you would use with any overhead power lines: 

• The wires are completely safe for anyone at ground level
• Never get near them with any tall object, such as a ladder
• Never throw anything onto the lines
• If you ever see a downed power line, call 911 to report it

Light-Rail Vehicle Testing
Testing of light-rail vehicles from the College Park Metro station to the east is expected to begin in mid-November. Testing on the UMD campus is expected to begin in early January. The testing will be conducted overnight on selected days from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Spring 2026. In this initial phase of testing, construction vehicles and police will escort the light-rail vehicles and close nearby cross streets and sidewalks for brief periods as the trains move through campus. Please use designated crosswalks and look both ways before crossing.

Rail Safety

The Purple Line tracks are embedded in the roadway in many locations. We urge caution for micromobility riders and wheelchair users when traveling near the tracks, due to gaps in the rails:

• Micromobility vehicles should use designated bike paths where available, and wheelchair users should use sidewalks
• Avoid the rails when riding parallel to the tracks, or your wheels could get stuck in the rail gap
• Cross the tracks at a 90-degree angle; crossing the tracks at a smaller angle can result in wheels getting stuck in the rail gap

General Safety Guidelines

• Everyone using a vehicle on UMD property should follow applicable traffic laws, including riding in the roadway or bike lane; stopping at traffic lights/stop signs, following the campus speed limit of 15 mph and yielding to pedestrians
• Micromobility riders should always wear a helmet in accordance with University of Maryland Policy

Additional Information
The Purple Line light-rail route will extend from New Carrollton in Prince George’s County to Bethesda in Montgomery County, and five of the 21 stations will be on or around the UMD campus. With direct connections to Metrorail, Amtrak and MARC, the Purple Line will provide more accessible and reliable transportation for students, faculty and staff. 

To find the most up-to-date road closures and detours, visit UMD's Purple Line website for impacts on campus and the official Purple Line website for impacts beyond campus. If you have questions or encounter issues while traveling around campus, including accessibility concerns, contact purpleline@umd.edu.

Sincerely,