Purple Line Update: Light-Rail Tracks Installed, Temporary Bike Path to Open, Road Closures Continue
Carlo Colella, vice president and chief administrative officer, sent the following email to the campus community on Monday:
As we prepare for the start of the spring semester, I am sharing changes on campus related to construction of the Purple Line light rail. Below is important rail safety information for pedestrians, bicycle and micromobility riders and vehicles.
Your safety is important to us. We are continuously monitoring conditions on campus and adjusting as necessary.
Bicycle and Micromobility Riders
Campus Drive, in the core of campus, now contains light-rail tracks embedded in the roadway. We urge caution for cyclists, e-scooter riders and wheelchair users when traveling near the tracks due to gaps in the rails.
This week, a new temporary bike path will open on the north side of Campus Drive between Regents Drive and the Stamp Student Union. Bikes and micromobility vehicles should use this path instead of the roadway. The temporary bike path will be in place until the construction of a permanent path is completed as part of the Purple Line project.
- Micromobility vehicles should use the designated bike paths and wheelchair users should use sidewalks.
- Yield to pedestrians crossing the bike path.
- Cross the tracks at a 90-degree angle. Crossing tracks at a lower angle can result in wheels becoming stuck in the rail gap.
- Always use caution when traveling near tracks. Avoid the rails when riding parallel to the tracks or your wheels can become stuck in the rail gap.
Pedestrians
- All pedestrian detours are ADA-compliant. For details, see detour maps.
- Wheelchair users: In addition to the following detours, review and follow the rail safety information above for Campus Drive.
- Use caution when crossing the bike path.
Vehicles
Road closures will be similar to the fall semester.
- Union Lane is open to two-way traffic near the Stamp Student Union (see map).
- Road closures continue:
- Campus Drive is closed from Regents Drive (near Symons Hall) to Union Lane (near the Stamp Student Union) daily from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next morning, except when there are major campus events. See the detour map for details.
- Union Drive between Campus Drive (near the Benjamin Building) and Championship Lane is closed. See the map for details.
- Rossborough Lane:
- The road is closed west of Baltimore Avenue (near Turner Hall and Rossborough Inn). Lot C1 is accessed via the southbound Baltimore Avenue lot entrance and exits to Regents Drive using a new connector road to Lot L.
- East of Baltimore Avenue, the road is closed near Diamondback Drive.
We remind you to use caution and follow all posted signs and flaggers when traveling near construction areas. As always, we appreciate your flexibility as this important project for our campus and entire region continues to make progress.
To find the most up-to-date road closures and detours, please visit UMD's Purple Line website for impacts on campus and the official Purple Line website for impacts beyond campus.
For accessible pedestrian routes, go to the online UMD Campus Map, select the "Directions" tab, then click the "Accessible Pathways" checkbox to see accessible campus routes.
To subscribe to text alerts when a significant sidewalk or roadway closure is scheduled by the Purple Line, use your mobile phone to text the keyword “UMDPURPLE” (not case-sensitive) to 888777.
If you have questions or encounter issues while traveling around campus, please contact purpleline@umd.edu or 301.405.2222.
Sincerely,
Carlo Colella
Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer
He/Him/His