Purple Line builders want millions in delay costs as negotiations continue
Written by RT&S Staff
A tentative agreement has been reached with the firms behind the Purple Line project.
Purple Line
The two sides are talking, sometimes multiple times a day. However, Purple Line Transit Constructors (PLTC) is still planning on walking off the Purple Line project in Maryland. Negotiations are ongoing, and state officials are hopeful PLTC will remain on the job and finish what it has started.
In early May PLTC announced it was going to leave the jobsite due to excessive delays. Three lawsuits have bottled up the Purple Line project, and the COVID-19 pandemic also has created problems. According to the design-build contract, the contractor can leave if delays exceed 365 days. So far there have been 976 days of delay on the project. PLTC did say it would stay on the job for another 60 to 90 days to provide a smooth transition.
Money would help PLTC reconsider. Due to the delays the cost of the project has gone up, so PLTC wants another $519 million.
Maryland Transportation Secretary Greg Slater says negotiations have been very productive.
Montgomery County officials want the public-private partnership to have more oversight and accountability, and it should be more transparent with the public. Slater says there needs to be some degree of confidentiality during negotiations.
Construction is ongoing as both sides try to hash out their differences.
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