The two major rail transit lines planned for Maryland represent a significant investment in the state’s future and economy. Drawing from experience across the nation, this report attempts to assess the full range of potential economic benefits from construction of the Purple Line, connecting Maryland’s Washington, D.C. suburbs, and the Red Line, providing east-west connections between Baltimore and its suburbs. Given the number of regions across the country contemplating similar investments, we offer this report as something of a template for how to make a comprehensive assessment of economic impacts.
The bottom line: These two lines would position Maryland for long-term economic success in ways that few other investments are likely to do.
- Building the projects would give 174,000 additional Maryland residents access to frequent, high-quality transit.
- These two lines will help dramatically expand the labor and customer base for Maryland businesses. 540,000 jobs will be accessible via high-quality rail transit after they open.
- The two new transit lines would generate 35,440 direct & indirect jobs and make a total $9 billion economic impact.
These two projects not only address existing mobility issues, but also lay the groundwork for billions of dollars worth of economic development. This comes at a time when competitor regions are moving forward with their own ambitious transit plans, as companies and workers alike are being drawn in increasing numbers to walkable locations with high-quality transit.
Decisions made regarding the Red and Purple Lines will affect the state’s businesses and families not just today, but for many years to come.
This report shows the numerous economic benefits to the state of Maryland that the Red Line and the Purple Line would deliver. Each tangible benefit tells just one piece of the full story of these projects. Taken together, the evidence is overwhelming that the Red and Purple Lines are a vital investment in Maryland’s future.
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Send a letter to Governor Hogan
Urge Governor Hogan and Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn to read the report and consider the economic evidence in favor of the Red and Purple lines as they make their final decision on whether to proceed with construction.
Read the release
Read the press release announcing the report that includes quotes from representatives of the business communities in both the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. regions.
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