Maryland suspends new contracts for proposed Purple Line

Maryland transportation officials have suspended new construction contracts, hiring and procurement for the proposed Purple Line light rail project in Washington's suburbs.

Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn said in a statement Wednesday that the steps were necessary because a judge ordered further study of the project's ridership estimates.

Rahn says Maryland has filed an appeal of Tuesday's ruling, but there's no timeline for a response.

Work on the 16-mile line has been delayed for months because of a federal suit filed by opponents of the line to connect Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

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