From a DDOT Press Release
Mayor Adrian Fenty and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced today that Pepco will grant a right of entry agreement for property in the city's Eckington neighborhood. This agreement will allow DDOT to immediately begin the design for Phase II of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT), a section located between New York Avenue, NE and Franklin Street, NE. Pepco will formally donate the land to the District in the next few months. The construction will link various independent sections into a three mile stretch of continuous trail.
"The Metropolitan Branch Trail will connect kids to schools, people to their jobs, provide for a place to recreate as well as act as a transportation corridor which will help to reduce energy consumption in the city," said Mayor Adrian M. Fenty.
The trail will provide a vital connection to the New York Avenue Metro station in addition to the recently announced bicycle/pedestrian bridge connecting the trail to the Rhode Island Metro station.
"This land donation furthers Pepco's commitment to the District, its residents and the environment," said Pepco Region President Thomas Graham. "It's a natural connection. The land is adjacent to our new substation that is partially powered by solar panels."
The Metropolitan Branch Trail is a planned eight-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail between Union Station and Takoma Park, Md. The new addition to the trail will take users over Florida Avenue, under New York Avenue and over Rhode Island Avenue, avoiding eighteen lanes of heavily traveled roadway. It will connect to the Capital Crescent Trail, the Anacostia Tributaries Trail System and the National Mall, and will be part of the East Coast Greenway. The MBT will be an important recreation and transportation route and will provide direct access to seven of Metro's Red Line stations.
"This is a critical step for construction on one of our most important trail projects. DDOT is extremely pleased to finally reach this agreement," added DDOT Director Emeka Moneme.
In 2005, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) developed the concept plan for the 7 miles of the trail within District boundaries. Currently, sections of the trail along 2nd Street, NE, at the New York Ave. Metro Station, and along John McCormack Road have been built. The section from New York Ave. to Franklin Street is scheduled to be completed by summer of 2009.
Construction for Phase II is anticipated to be completed by summer 2009.
I am very happy to see this plan coming to fruition. I am equally excited about the trails contribution to the city esthecially and environmentally. Kudos to the Mayor, and Pepco for making it happen!
My only concern is the montioring of the park. I would like to know that it will be constantly monitored by the DC police on bikes. I need to know that the paths will be safe for my child to travel on to get to school.
Posted by: K. Terry | July 06, 2008 at 07:42 AM
There will probably be some police presence, but not constant monitoring. The real safety will come from the presence of other trail users. Eyes on the trail.
Posted by: washcycle | July 06, 2008 at 08:19 PM