Construction of the Purple Line has finally begun in College Park.

The University of Maryland has permanently closed one lane of Campus Drive through the heart of campus, making it a one-way street.

The other lane will now be reserved for Purple Line trains, which will stop along Baltimore Avenue just north of Fraternity Row, in front of the Stamp Student Union and in front of the College Park Marriott near Adelphi.

The move is significant. One of the drawbacks of light-rail projects like the Purple Line is that they often run on city streets, which means they can be subject to the same delays as regular traffic.

By setting aside a designated lane, the university is ensuring that trains will move through campus efficiently. (Buses and ambulances will be allowed to use the lane when trains are not present.)

In addition, the university is building a one-mile bike path that will run parallel to the Purple Line through campus.

Along with the widespread adoption of bike-sharing in town, the changes show that the university is moving beyond its history as a car-based “commuter school” without a convenient transit stop on campus.

Students will soon be able to step off a train at a redeveloped College Park Metro with a new bike tunnel, retail and apartments; and rent a bike or take a Purple Line train to campus, an internship in the Discovery District research park, the innovation lab in the garage at the Hotel at the University of Maryland or the WeWork next door.

During school breaks, they’ll be able to take the Purple Line all the way to the New Carrollton Metro, where they can hop on an Amtrak.