Leggett said he had asked Maryland transit officials to consider ways to reduce the impact of a four-mile stretch slated to run along a popular hiking and biking trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring.
Those measures could include widening the paved trail from 10 feet to 12 feet, planting grass between the tracks and using hybrid light-rail cars that would spare more trees because they do not require overhead wires. [Update: Like this?]
Leggett said he supported light rail along the Georgetown Branch Trail because it is in the county's master plan. Even so, he said, he questions how enjoyable the wooded trail would be once its trees were cut down and light-rail trains ran past joggers and cyclists.
"You could have a functioning trail, but the trail as we know it in its pristine condition is going to be challenged," Leggett said in an interview.
Not to look a gift-trail in the mouth but isn't supporting it "because it is in the county's master plan" a little weak? C'mon Isiah, stand-up, be your own man. Support it because it's right for the county.
A light-rail line has widespread political backing. The entire Montgomery council has voiced its support, as has the Prince George's County Council. However, the only right of way, which was purchased in Montgomery in the 1980s, runs along the Georgetown Branch Trail, a path Leggett has championed for the past two decades.
Leggett also has enjoyed political support from the Chevy Chase area, where many residents oppose the trail route and some back yards abut the route.
But some trail advocates[sic] say they were disappointed that Leggett didn't do more to protect a rare swath of urban green space used by thousands of cyclists, walkers and joggers. Pam Browning, who has organized a petition drive to oppose the trail route, said 17,500 people have signed petitions and more than 1,000 have e-mailed the governor.
"The dissent will grow as more people learn all the trees along the trail are going to be destroyed," Browning said.
Update: Finish the Trail reports that the Transportation and Environment (T&E) Committee voted 3-0 to recommend the Purple Line as LRT to the full Council. The committee made several recommendations that would improve the trail:
1) The Trail should be in the Bethesda Tunnel. (MTA concurred that
their recent more detailed studies of the building structures indicate
they can lower both light rail tracks, to allow the trail in the
overhead structure to be much wider than shown in early concept
sketches, and also to allow a better one level transit platform design.)
2)
The tail tracks should be curtailed no further than 100' west of the
tunnel's western portal, to avoid interference with the planned
Woodmont Plaza park area. (MTA staff concurred this was feasible.
Councilmember Berliner stressed it should be no more than 50', and MTA
agreed to "try".)
3) More access points to the Trail should be identified than now shown in the DEIS. (MTA concurred.)
4)
The Trail should be expanded to a 12' width (with 2' shoulders on each
side) where this can be done within existing right-of-way at reasonable
cost. Further, a trail wider than 12' and a landscaped buffer wider
than the typical 10' should be considered where the right-of-way
permits (i.e. between the western end of the Columbia Country Club to
the east end of Rock Creek Park) and if there is not a significant
increase in cost.
5) Use grass tracks for transit. (MTA staff stated they were committed to grass tracks in this area.)
6)
Take strong measures to limit tree loss to only that absolutely
necessary, and remediate tree loss by replanting trees elsewhere in a
manner similar to that required for official parks, even though the
Georgetown Branch corridor is not technically a park. (MTA agreed.)
7)
Examine the feasibility and cost of using LRT vehicles with hybrid
engines, instead of electric motors, to eliminate the need for overhead
wires and power substations. Elimination of overhead wires is desirable
to allow a more full tree canopy to be established over the transit and
trail after construction.
The full County Council votes next week.
If I want a pristine trail to ride on for recreation there are plenty of recreational trails to choose from.
This trail, pristine or not, will get me from Silver Spring to Bethesda and back. It will get me to the pristine part of the Capitol Crescent Trail. That's more than enough for me.
Disclaimer , I like riding near railroads and streetcar lines, and I had many enjoyable rides on the Green Bay Trail, next to a major commuter railroad, when I lived in Chicago.
Posted by: kenf | January 23, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Hundreds of acres of woods are being clear cut for the ICC and Chevy Chase is worried about a few trees along a right of way specifically there for rail. At least with the purple line you keep your trail. Quit your whining and take it like a man. The county clearly has no particular concern for the environment, and no real plan for transportation. Developer money to campaigns trumps all.
Posted by: Upcounty Pal | January 25, 2009 at 02:37 PM