The Maryland State Department of Transportation is currently constructing the 16.2-mile Purple Line light rail system which will provide an alternate mode of transportation between Bethesda to New Carrollton. The Purple Line will provide public transportation to various subway stations across Montgomery and Prince George’s County’s without having to travel into the District of Columbia to make transfers. The light rail system is going to bisect the City of College Park along Campus Drive.
Construction of the Purple Line in College Park has begun. As part of the construction process, Campus Drive between Baltimore Ave. and the Metro Parking garage will be closed from the end of May 2020 to mid to the end of August 2020.
This closure will require buses that normally pick and drop off passengers on the east side of the Metro station, to be picked up and dropped off on the west side of the Metro station. As a result, significant bus traffic is expected in Old Town, specifically, on Calvert Rd., Rhode Island Ave., and College Ave.
There have been some discussion on how best to mitigate the impact of this increased bus traffic in the neighborhood. Ideas discussed include utilization of quieter buses, removing speed humps and stop signs along Calvert Rd, temporarily decreasing speed limits and installing flashing speed signs and/or speed cameras on Calvert Rd.
At the February 5, 2019 meeting staff recommended against removing stop signs due to safety concerns. Council is now being asked to allow for removal of the speed humps.
To mitigate potential speeding, staff recommends the City temporarily install flashing speed limit signs along Calvert Road. At this week’s meeting the Council will consider approving these proposed changes.
[City of College Park]