Purple Line Bulletin – March 2023

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Message from Matt

Thank you to everyone who participated in last month’s Community Advisory Team (CAT) meetings. It was great to talk with you and we look forward to seeing you again later this year.

The virtual format appears to have made it easier for people to attend and participate, with more than 200 people taking part in the meetings. Our project team appreciated hearing from our neighbors as we provided detailed updates on construction progress and upcoming activities. Recordings of the meetings and copies of the presentations are posted on the project website.

Several participants asked about a potential project delay reported by local media. As stated during the meetings, we have formed a Tiger Team to identify ways to mitigate potential delays by resequencing operations and making other improvements to gain ground. What is a Tiger Team? The concept was made famous by NASA, and refers to a specialized, cross-functional team formed to solve a specific problem or critical issue. We’ll keep you informed of the team’s work, but our target date of opening in 2026 has not changed.

Meanwhile, construction continues throughout the corridor as we build this vital light rail system.

In Prince George’s County, the team is installing rail on Ellin Road in New Carrollton and has completed demolition of the eastbound bridge over the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River on University Boulevard. A new bridge over the light rail was installed in Landover Hills to provide access to the Glenridge Shopping Mall parking lot. Work is well underway to build the Riverdale Park North-UMD station off River Road, with the goal of that being the first completed station along the alignment.

In Montgomery County, we’re making significant progress on Wayne Avenue, where we have implemented a new traffic pattern of one lane in either direction as we continue utility relocations and install storm drains. Crews will demolish and replace the Sligo Creek bridge located between the future Dale Drive and Manchester Place stations near Silver Spring International Middle School. We expect, weather permitting, to pour concrete this month for the platform and station at the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center and the Talbot Avenue Bridge in Silver Spring.

As always, keep us informed of your concerns through our Outreach Team at 443-451-3706 or 443-451-3705 (Espanol) or email [email protected].

-Matt Pollack, PE, PMP

Executive Director

Construction Photo/Update:

Above: Crews recently installed seven concrete girders for a future bridge over the light rail tracks to provide access to the Glenridge Shopping Mall in Landover Hills. Below: Crews work on the platform and station at the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center in Silver Spring.

Business Spotlight: Manos Insurance

Mirna Zelaya is an experienced insurance professional who opened Manos Insurance in 2015 in Langley Park. Manos is Spanish for “hands,” and refers to her building the business with her own two hands.

With almost 23 years of industry experience, Zelaya offers one-on-one service and helps clients navigate the product offerings of more than 15 companies through her firm. Manos Insurance offers home, auto, motorcycle and commercial insurance, including workers’ compensation, general liability, bonds and more. The office is located along the International Corridor in Prince George’s County, an area stretching from University Boulevard and West Park Drive to the border with Montgomery County and Takoma Park.

Zelaya believes the Purple Line will help the community and improve the lives of everyone around it.

“The project will bring new business customers because it will provide access to the area,” she said. “Overall, I believe it is an excellent project that will help the accessibility of our neighborhood and will create access to jobs in other locations.”

Manos Insurance serves more than 500 clients, many from the Latino community, and continues to grow. Zelaya attributes her success to word-of-mouth recommendations and said the company strives to provide clients with tailored solutions that make a meaningful impact and build trust.

Manos Insurance is located at 8020 New Hampshire Ave. Suite 132. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Appointments with bilingual staff are available. For more information, call 301-434-1909.

Above: Zelaya works on an insurance document. Purple Line Business Engagement Officer Marlene Veras meets with Mirna Zelaya, owner of Manos Insurance in Langley Park.

For more information about these and other businesses on the Purple Line alignment is in our business directory.

Purple Line Fast Fact:

People Behind the Purple Line: Mike Hebert

Mike Hebert is the Purple Line’s resident engineer, providing oversight and project management for the project segments in Montgomery County. Hebert has been with the project team for nearly two years and knows everything there is to know about construction from Bethesda to University Boulevard, down to the last nut and bolt.

“I like the mixture of field and office work,” he said. “I also like the challenges of building a complex system that will benefit my community.”

Hebert is a resident of Silver Spring, which will be home to eight Purple Line stations, including downtown at the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library and the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center. A Baltimore native, Hebert graduated from Woodlawn High School and received his civil engineering and construction management degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Hebert’s prior experience includes work for the former Kasler Corporation in California and Dallas-based Balfour Beatty Construction.

When he’s not working, the married father of two daughters enjoys spending time with his family and friends, walking his dog, Bella, and working on his golf game.

443-451-3706 | Español: 443-451-3705 | [email protected]