Campus Drive–UMD is a light rail station that is currently under construction. It will be part of the Purple Line in Maryland. The station will be located at the intersection of Campus Drive and Library Lane on the campus of the University of Maryland.
History
Construction of the station began in 2019 with the removal of trees surrounding the path of the line through campus and the conversion of Campus Drive to a one-way street to create room for the tracks and related infrastructure.[2] In January 2020, lead contractor Purple Line Transit Partners (PLTP) announced that the eastern half of the line from College Park to New Carrollton would open in late 2022, with the remainder scheduled for completion in June 2023.[3] At the same time, construction of the infrastructure surrounding the station continued with the relocation of UMD's "M" Circle" from a traffic circle on Campus Drive to a site on the roadside to allow for the demolition of the circle to make way for Purple Line tracks. Following completion of the new circle in September 2020, all Purple Line construction was paused due to a dispute between PLTP and the state over $800 million in unpaid cost overruns. PLTP withdrew from the project, forcing the MTA to take over construction of the line while an agreement was reached with a new contractor. As a result, UMD students, staff, and visitors reported difficulty with navigating the campus due to unfinished construction and the associated roadblocks and detours.[4]
The MTA continued to directly manage construction of the line until June 26, 2022, when Maryland Transit Solutions (MTS) were approved as the new lead contractor. At the same time, MTS and the MTA announced that completion would be delayed from March 2022 to fall 2026 to allow for the entire line to be completed at once. A UMD spokesperson also announced that the university was advocating for construction on campus to be completed as soon as possible despite the significant delay.[5] After the agreement with MTS, construction on campus ramped back up, with additional construction-related closures and detours along the line's route. This included the closure of three out of the five entrances to the primary on-campus lot for commuter students in January 2023, leading to congestion, a lack of spaces, and confused drivers and pedestrians.[6] In Summer 2024, concerns over noise pollution from heavier construction on Campus Drive led UMD to close several dorms that were the closest to the construction. The Diamondback also reported potential concerns over air quality on campus, with a UMD atmospheric and oceanic science professor reporting that the university had conducted air quality measurements and determined that there was no danger of health effects from poor air quality. An epidemiology and biostatistics and applied environmental health professor added that the release of dust, paint, and adhesives from construction activities could still lead to health risks to people who are exposed to them regardless of overall air quality.[7]
While major construction on campus was originally expected to be completed by 2025, on May 8, 2024 UMD president Darryll Pines announced that most construction will likely be completed by fall 2024. Despite this, the line is still not expected to open for passengers before December 2027.[8]
Finished tracks on Campus Drive in August 2024.
Station layout
The station consists of two side platforms on either side of Campus Drive, just south of Cole Field House.[9]
