Construction started Monday on the long-awaited Purple Line after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the light-rail project.

The 16 miles of track will connect Montgomery and Prince George's counties. News4's Tracee Wilkins reported that the line will serve 21 stations, connecting the Bethesda and New Carrollton Metro stops.

Planners say the Purple Line project will create 52,000 new jobs in Maryland.

The project is expected to cost $5.6 billion and will be funded through a public-private partnership. Private sector partners will contribute about $550 million, Gov. Hogan said. The federal government recently announced a $900 million contribution.

Planners say service may begin in Spring 2022.

The line is not part of the Metro system.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the Purple Line operations center in Hyattsville, Maryland. Governor Hogan appeared with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao.

The purple line is “a good example of what can be accomplished when federal, state and local partners work together,” Chao said.

Commuters may take up to 41,000 daily trips on the Purple Line by 2035, Chao said.

Opponents have vowed to continue fighting against the Purple Line, News4's Adam Tuss reported. The project was delayed by one federal judge in May, but later that month the lawsuit was dismissed.