Berliner likely knows exactly what single tracking the Purple Line will do. That's why he's proposed it. It's a poorly veiled attempt to kill the project.

Dear Mr. Dresser: Thank you for opining from your ivory tower at The Baltimore Sun about Mr. Berliner's sage comment recommending single tracking on the proposed Purple Line. Now you need to come down to Bethesda and Chevy Chase (Hint: it is 40 minutes south of Baltimore on I-95) and look at the 200 plus historic trees that Governor O'Malley proposes to destroy in favor of a double tracking system. Then take some time to hike or bike on the beautiful Capital Crescent Trail. IF the Purple Line is going to be built, the only way to save these trees and preserve this sanctuary for walkers, hikers and bikers is the single track alternative. Mr. Berliner should be applauded for having the strength to question destroying these trees in favor of mass transit.

Clearly, he has to know that single-tracking is an operational nightmare, and no sensible person would suggest it in order to "save some trees". Critics of the project have been proven wrong time and time again (see also: UMD, whose idiotic reasons for opposition makes the Capital Crescent Trail defenders look like jokes), and the benefits of this project outweigh any negatives these people are continuously whining about. The fact that shovels aren't in the ground already is the biggest issue of all. This connection is absolutely vital, and all of this bickering and stalling in a pathetically veiled attempt to kill it makes zero sense.

I'm not fond of any new light rail projects. I don't think it's a solid transit solution. I'd rather see something with heavy rails and stations that don't let just anyone wander in and hop on the trains regardless of if they've paid. The region around the purple line is growing and we should be building a transit solution to anticipate its future needs, not one that simply meets its current needs.

David, the trees will grow back. That's what they do. Plant some new ones and in a decade you won't mind the difference. Otherwise, enjoy breathing in the commuter smog (that could have been reduced with a mass transit solution) around that trail.

If Berliner wants to kill the Capital Crescent Trail route for the Purple Line, that's fine with me. Putting a train on a beautiful, shaded trail, clear-cutting hundreds of trees? Is there anyone who would wish that for their neighborhood? Find another route, please.

A defensible case can be made for any of the following three options:

1. Building the Purple Line light rail as Gov. Martin O'Malley has proposed it.

2. Building a bus rapid transit line as Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has suggested he would consider doing.

3. Not building a transit line, saving the money or putting it toward other priorities.

The one option that makes absolutely no sense is building a light rail line with single -tracking when there is enough money available to double-track it. Environmentally, the trade-off of a few hundred trees for a robust, useful transit line is a great deal -- which is why environmental groups with a bay-wide perspective are all in favor of the Purple Line plan. (Local groups who are focused on the trail, rather than overall health of the region, I count as NIMBYs rather than greens.) The Baltimore precedent is clear: Build double-tracked light rail from the start or don't build it. at all. I tend to agree that those who are arguing for single-tracking are really Purple Line opponents trying to masquerade as supporters.

A single-track line is operationally infeasible. However, this hasn't stopped the MTA from retaining operationally infeasible alternatives throughout their respective capital transit projects. But, a single-track alignment will be problematic and suffer compromised service from day one and onward, ad infinitum.

In reality, there is more than the trilemma Dresser suggests. One could seriously consider a different alignment or elevation grade for the project. Most of the cost in capital transit projects is in the amount of grade separation, so switching alternatives to bus rapid transit doesn't necessarily save much money.

One could make reasonable arguments about what should exist along the affected segment of the Capital Crescent Trail. However, what one cannot have is a two track LRT service and a wooded hiker/biker path. One could have one, the other, or an LRT service with an urbanized hiker/biker path that woud never resemble the current one.

I have read with interest the reactions of some commentators to my request that our Montgomery County Council staff provide my colleagues and I with more information on the impact of single tracking a very small portion of the Purple Line. I understand that Baltimore has had a negative experience with single-tracking, and I also know that other communities, such as Sacramento, were able to single track short stretches without significantly compromising the efficiency of the system. I am not an engineer, so I don’t know why it seems to work some places and not others. But here is what I do know: I know that the communities that I represent will experience the loss of the Georgetown Branch of the Capital Crescent Trail as they know and love it today. These communities, more than any other, are being asked to make a real sacrifice for the larger public good -- a public good I support. If their sacrifice and loss can be mitigated without an undue harm to the system by single tracking a very short stretch and adopting new technology that does not require taking down trees to accommodate overhanging wires, then I believe such options warrant every consideration. It is also what I have pledged to do as the first elected representative of this community that supports the Purple Line. At the end of the day, it may be that our staff concludes that the loss in system efficiency significantly outweighs the environmental/aesthetic/community gains that could be achieved through these mitigation efforts. If so, I will continue to support the Purple Line, as I have for many many years ….and I will continue to work hard to minimize its negative impacts on the communities I serve. That is my job.

Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the trail formerly train tracks? And again, correct me if I am wrong, but didn't they build the trail on the right of way of the purple line simply to save the right of way for the future purple line? I seem to recall that's how it worked.
I love the B&A Trail in Anne Arundel County, its nice to walk or ride your bike on. But I'd love to see tracks (not just double but triple) back on that trail again!

Tens of thousands for people oppose the planned routing of the Purple Rail between Silver Spring and Bethesda. Single or double track, it would destroy the valuable parkland. There are other alternative routes that have not been given seriously consideration. We really need an improved bus system, not rail. My tax dollars would better be spent to improve the Baltimore system.

In response to Councilmember Berliner, the trail was formerly a SINGLE track which did not require stops and passenger access so that it fit easily on a narrow 12’ berm surrounded by trees. The trees and the single rail co-existed.

Even the proposed single track of the Purple Train would not come close to replicate the peaceful running of the B&O Railroad train that passed a few times a week at 15 mph, not every 3 minutes at 45-50 mph.

When the track was converted to trail, I doubt that anyone envisioned how popular it would be. Furthermore, I attended the County Council Hearing on the Purple Train this month, and one of the speakers said that other communities are trying to create what we have in the Capital Crescent Trail.

We have a beautiful linear park that is enjoyed by people from throughout the County and the world, and is used by students to walk instead of ride to school, and is in the heart of a beautifully planned and executed urban community.

Why isn’t the Council trying to preserve this environmental gem rather than myopically destroying it?

In sum, we can stick with the single track, which is in the Master Plan, rather than changing to the double track, which is in the current proposal, as long as it is clear that both destroy the trail. While, as Councilmember Berliner states, the trail was once a train track, the only similarity between the B&O Rail freight train and the Purple Train is that they both run on train tracks.

The sole reason the proposed $1.6 billion dollar light rail project was selected, over the $800 million bus rapid transit project (which could have operated on existing roads) was so people could avoid riding a bus. In other words, the state wants to destroy a treasured park used by probably 10,000 people that is home to countless small animals so that humans can avoid riding a bus. Pretty sorry state of affairs.