A light rail vehicle is rolling through Bethesda for the first time.

Purple Line crews began Live Wire testing in June, running an actual Light Rail Vehicle between the Lyttonsville Operations and Maintenance Facility and Bethesda Station, according to the project's official update page. The 16-mile rail line connecting Montgomery and Prince George's counties is targeting a late 2027 opening.

The testing follows another milestone: the last rail installation, completed in May 2026. At that event, Montgomery County and state officials said they are still pushing for a late 2027 opening, with Bethesda Magazine reporting that officials called the "finish line finally in sight."

What residents should know

Most testing runs between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., but the Purple Line project warns that train movement could occur at any time, day or night. The vehicles run on dedicated Purple Line tracks only and do not interact with road traffic. Residents should stay outside the project limits as trains travel through the work zone.

Pedestrian detour at Wisconsin and Elm

The temporary closure of pedestrian access between Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street remains in effect. Pedestrians must detour using the Wisconsin Avenue crossings at Elm Street and Waverly Street, then head west on Hampden Lane to Woodmont Avenue and onto Elm Street. On-site signage marks the route.

Train spotted at Lyttonsville

Blogger Robert Dyer, who covers Bethesda development news, posted on X on July 2 that a Purple Line trainset had been spotted at the Lyttonsville station between Chevy Chase Lake and downtown Silver Spring. Photos from the East MoCo blog showed historic Lyttonsville photographs already on display inside the station.

Along the former Georgetown Branch Trail between Elm Street Park and Rock Creek Park, crews continue building the Purple Line and the Capital Crescent Trail through summer 2026, according to the project update.

Residents can sign up for construction updates via text and email through Maryland Transit Solutions' notification system at purplelinemd.com/sign-up.

Upcoming community events

  • Friday, July 10 — "Convergence" by The Black Art Today Foundation opening reception, Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 11 — Glen Echo Park Summer Concerts: James Bazen Big Band, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, 7:30 p.m.
  • July 2026 — Bethesda Outdoor Movies returns for its 20th year, three free showings at 4650 Willow Lane, 8:45 p.m.