A federal judge has canceled government approval of the light-rail Purple Line, citing ongoing problems with Metrorail.
U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon said in a ruling Wednesday that Maryland must do another study projecting anticipated Purple Line ridership that takes into account the potential impact of declining Metrorail ridership and safety issues.
The judge cited "extraordinary events involving seemingly endless Metrorail breakdowns and safety issues'' in his ruling.
Construction of the 16.2-mile Purple Line, to connect Bethesda to College Park, was scheduled to begin late 2016. It's unclear whether Leon's decision will delay construction. However, during a June hearing, MTA and federal government attorneys said refiguring the ridership forecasts could push back the project by six months.
Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn says the state will appeal the ruling.
