News Summary
Residents of the Bonifant in Silver Spring are facing challenges due to the ongoing construction of the Purple Line light rail service. Many senior citizens report difficulties accessing nearby amenities, leading to safety hazards and injuries. The construction has also adversely affected local businesses, raising concerns about long-term impacts. While a pedestrian walkway has been opened to mitigate some issues, the completion of infrastructure improvements is not expected until later. The community hopes for better accessibility and safety when the project concludes.
Silver Spring, Maryland – Residents of the Bonifant in downtown Silver Spring are expressing significant frustration over the ongoing construction for the Purple Line light rail service, which is currently affecting their daily lives. The construction has made access to nearby amenities challenging, particularly for senior residents who must navigate light rail tracks and uneven sidewalks.
Many residents report difficulties in safely traveling to locations like Safeway, with one resident indicating that she experienced dangerous situations due to the construction, which severely impacted her mobility device. Other seniors have similarly noted the hazards presented by the construction, with some having to maneuver their scooters aggressively to cross the construction zones.
Incidents of injuries due to hazardous conditions have also been reported. A resident recently dislocated her shoulder and tore her rotator cuff after falling in an area impacted by the construction. Another resident mentioned frequent issues with flat tires due to poor road conditions attributable to the ongoing work.
A spokesperson from the Maryland Department of Transportation acknowledged the frustrations of the residents and stated that they are providing ongoing updates to those living in the Bonifant. In response to the concerns, a new pedestrian walkway has been opened to enhance access across the construction area. However, the completion of the new sidewalk on the side of the Bonifant is not expected until the end of September.
The construction project has also resulted in road closures impacting traffic flow and bus routes, particularly at the intersection of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street. Local business owners have reported that these disruptions have led to significant decreases in customer traffic. For instance, the owner of Sweet Sweet Kitchen expressed concern over the potential long-term impact of construction on his business.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has commented on the situation, indicating that the impact of the Purple Line construction on the local community is beyond the control of county officials. He criticized previous state leadership for allowing the situation to develop as it has.
The Purple Line light rail project is scheduled to open in winter 2027, but the extended construction period raises concerns among business owners about the sustainability of their operations during this time. Many fear that declining customer visits could result in permanent closures for some local businesses.
The frustrations expressed by residents and business owners underline the significant challenges posed by infrastructure projects such as the Purple Line. As the community navigates these disruptive changes, the hope is that improvements will follow with the completion of the construction, enhancing accessibility and safety for all members of the community.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Washington
- Wikipedia: Silver Spring, Maryland
- WTOP
- Google Search: Purple Line construction Silver Spring
- Bisnow
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transportation
- Source of the Spring
- Google News: construction Silver Spring
