The Maryland Board of Public Works has approved a $5.6 billion contract to build the Purple Line in the suburbs of the nation's capital.
The contract was approved 3-0 on Wednesday for the light rail project in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
A team of private companies has been chosen to design, build, operate and maintain the 16-mile line between Bethesda and New Carrollton.
See also: Maryland board set to vote on Purple Line contract
It's a 36-year contract. The net cost to the state will be about $3.3 billion. The rest comes from federal and county funding.
The three-member Board of Public Works is comprised of Gov. Larry Hogan, Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.
Related: O'Malley to announce plans for the Purple Line
Construction is slated to begin this year. It's projected to open no later than spring of 2022.
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