The US state of Maryland has approved a contract modification that selects Maryland Transit Solutions (MTS) as the new design-build team to complete the Purple Line light rail project.

MTS comprises Dragados USA and OHL USA.

The new design-build team was confirmed by approving a modification to the Purple Line public-private partnership agreement (P3 Agreement).

The design-build cost has also jumped from $2bn to $3.4bn due to an increase in material costs and other challenges in the post-pandemic market.

The $9.284bn modified P3 Agreement now includes the $3.4bn design-build cost, expenses for Purple Line Transit operators to run and maintain the project for a 30-year period, overall project management by PLTP, and debt and equity repayment by Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).

MTS plans to start full-scale construction on the project in spring 2022, with commissioning scheduled in fall 2026.