Stranded car pulled from Purple Line tracks in Riverdale

A driver became stranded on the Purple Line tracks at Riverdale Road and 64th Avenue during rain in Riverdale, a reminder that the work zone still needs to be clearly marked for motorists moving through a corridor packed with construction activity. Towing crews pulled the vehicle off the tracks, and no injuries were reported.

The incident came in one of the Purple Line’s most visible construction areas, the Kenilworth Avenue and Riverdale Road intersection, where crews have been laying track and building bridges to carry the future light rail line over busy commuter routes. In wet weather and low visibility, the safety margin around those active zones shrinks quickly, especially for drivers who do not expect to encounter unfinished track beds and roadway changes in the middle of a neighborhood street.

The Purple Line is Maryland’s planned 16-mile light rail system, with 21 stations stretching from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County. State transit updates this month put construction at about 88% complete, and officials have said all tracks in Prince George’s County have been installed while testing continues. Service is not expected until later.

That broader progress has not erased the day-to-day disruptions along the Riverdale Road and Kenilworth Avenue corridor. Prince George’s County and the City of College Park have both issued road-access alerts tied to Purple Line street closures, reopenings and roadway reconstruction in the Riverdale area. WMATA says customer impacts tied to Purple Line construction are expected to last through 2026, keeping the project a daily issue for commuters, nearby residents and local businesses.

The stranded car also underscored how much the project still depends on clear wayfinding and reliable barriers as construction moves toward completion. For drivers heading through Riverdale Park, Riverdale Road and nearby routes, the message is immediate: the track area remains active, the roadway pattern is still changing, and rain can turn a construction zone into a safety hazard in seconds.