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Description

This project provides access from Elm Street west of Wisconsin Avenue to the southern end of the Bethesda Metrorail station and ultimately integrates the Metro system with the new light rail system, allowing the completion of the connection between the new Purple Line light rail system and the existing Metrorail Red Line. The Metrorail Red Line runs below Wisconsin Avenue through Bethesda more than 120 feet below the surface, considerably deeper than the Purple Line right-of-way. The Bethesda Metrorail station has one entrance, near East West Highway. The Metrorail station was built with accommodations for a future southern entrance. The Bethesda light rail transit (LRT) station would have platforms located just west of Wisconsin Avenue on the Georgetown Branch right-of-way. This platform allows a direct connection between LRT and Metrorail, making transfers as convenient as possible. Six station elevators would be located in the Elm Street right-of-way, which would require narrowing the street and extending the sidewalk. The station would include a new south entrance to the Metrorail station, including a new mezzanine above the Metrorail platform, similar to the existing mezzanine at the present station's north end. The mezzanine would use the existing knock-out panel in the arch of the station and the passageway that was partially excavated when the station was built in anticipation of the future construction of a south entrance.
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Phase

Under Construction

Status

Active
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Budget Snapshot
$130.34M Total
Expenditures/Funding
$14.66M 6 Year Total
Expenditures/Funding
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Location

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Estimated Schedule

Construction started in FY18. Construction will be coordinated and implemented as part of the State Purple Line Project and will be completed when the Purple Line construction is complete. In FY22, the concessionaire and the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) selected an entity to complete construction. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.
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Cost Change

Cost increase due to updated cost estimate from WMATA for the new mezzanine and additional year of funding in FY27 for project management to align with revised Purple Line completion schedule.
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Other

Part of Elm Street west of Wisconsin Avenue will be closed for a period during construction.
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Fiscal Note

The funds for this project were initially programmed in the State Transportation Participation project. Appropriation of $5 million for design was transferred from the State Transportation Participation project in FY09. In FY18, a funding switch was made to increase Revenue Bonds: Liquor Fund appropriation and decrease G.O. Bonds appropriation by $7.992 million. In FY19, a shift in $3.5 million in G.O. Bonds from FY21 to FY19 was done to reflect an updated MTA billing schedule. In FY21, $29,374,000 was shifted from prior years and distributed across FY21-FY26 to further reflect actual progress, a new estimated billing schedule, and to account for delays associated with the Purple Line. In the FY23-FY28 CIP, $8 million was added to fill a funding gap in the project to allow for the completion of the Bethesda South Metro Entrance mezzanine project element as planned. This consists of $6 million in G.O. bonds and $2 million in Federal Aid, reflecting a $2 million earmark in the FY23 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. WMATA received an additional $12M in state aid for this project during the 2022 State General Assembly Session. WMATA will pay for $12M in mezzanine costs directly, and the remainder of the cost will be paid by the County.
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Coordination

Maryland Transit Administration, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Bethesda Lot 31 Parking Garage project, Department of Transportation, Department of General Services, Special Capital Projects Legislation [Bill No. 31-14] was adopted by Council June 17, 2014.
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Budget Snapshot
$130.34M Total
Expenditures/Funding
$14.66M 6 Year Total
Expenditures/Funding
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Project Details
Project NumberP500929
Date Last Modified03/09/24
Administering AgencyTransportation
CategoryTransportation
SubCategoryMass Transit (MCG)
Planning AreaBethesda-Chevy Chase and Vicinity
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Total Expenditures by Cost Element (000s)
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Total Funding by Source (000s)
EXPENDITURES (000s)
Cost ElementsTotalThru FY23Est FY24Total 6 YearsFY 25FY 26FY 27FY 28FY 29FY 30Beyond 6 Years
Planning, Design and Supervision245918521974101301401400000
Land2902900000000
Site Improvements and Utilities54530545300000000
Construction1104014332252826142531132202138007300000
Other1200001200000000000
Total Expenditures1303424517470505146631262216139407300000
FUNDING (000s)
Funding SourceTotalThru FY23Est FY24Total 6 YearsFY 25FY 26FY 27FY 28FY 29FY 30Beyond 6 Years
Federal Aid20000200000000000
G.O. Bonds1153503218268505146631262216139407300000
Impact Tax00000000000
PAYGO00000000000
Revenue Bonds: Liquor Fund1299212992000000000
Total Funding Sources1303424517470505146631262216139407300000
APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURE DATA ($000s)
Appropriation FY 25 Request1262
Year First AppropriationFY09
Appropriation FY 26 Request2161
Last FY's Cost Estimate118602
Cumulative Appropriation115679
Expenditure / Encumbrances45175
Unencumbered Balance70504