New Carrollton Transit District

The Prince George's County Planning Board and the District Council hosted a meeting on the New Carrollton Preliminary Transit District Development Plan and Proposed Transit District Overlay Zoning (TDOZ) Map Amendment. [That's a mouthful]. The plan involves Arlingtoning up the New Carrollton Metro Station area.

Bill Washburn, M-NCPPC project manager, said officials are focusing on revamping the New Carrollton station because of its accessibility to rail, Metrobus, MARC commuter rail, Amtrak and Greyhound bus lines. Suggested improvements to the station include pedestrian walkways, bike paths, parks and a bridge or tunnel to pass the Amtrak, Metrorail and MARC lines.

Washburn said the Prince George's County Planning Board will hold a work session in July to consider Wednesday's public hearing testimony in making any plan changes. He said the Planning Board should approve the plan by September, followed by a second public hearing in January 2010 before the District Council approves the plan in February 2010.

There's a pretty good amount of bicycle facilities in the plan:

Although pedestrian and bicycle accommodation is currently limited in the vicinity of the New Carrollton Metro Station, this will change over time to include facilities such as continuous on- and off-street bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and green pedestrian links.

The plan envisions a comprehensive pedestrian and bike network with the following primary features:
3. Bicycle facilities and access throughout the New Carrollton Metropolitan Center.
4. Pedestrian and bicycle access improved along Annapolis Road.
5. Open space utilized to provide pedestrian/bicycle linkages where appropriate to connect the Metrorail station and other points of interest within the TDOZ.
6. Potential pedestrian and bicycle access across the Capital Beltway to link the TDOZ to neighborhoods and recreational facilities east of the freeway.
7. A well-designed network of installed wayfinding signs along the streets and pedestrian/bicycle pathways of the TDOZ to help travelers get to and from the Metro station, employment/retail centers, and other points of interest.

As one who bikes to the New Carrollton Metro, I can say that these changes are needed. A better connection across the Beltway (mentioned before here) is much needed as is a better route along 450/Annapolis Road. The sidewalk is dangerous, circuitous, only on one side and far too narrow, so I ride in the road - which can get kind of highway like, not ideal for a folding bike.  So the bike lanes they propose would be a major improvement. Another connection under the railroad tracks at Cobb Road - also in the plan - would also help with connectivity.

Comments

[Jon]

Some sort of decent connection to the Anacostia Tributary Trails System would be great, too.

[Washcycle]

The rail line there does parallel Beaverdam Creek. That could make for a nice trail corridor.

[Purple Eagle]

Does this plan hinge on development? (commercial, residential, whatever) There has been a comprehensive plan in place for the Greenbelt metro station for a number of years, and the plan has resulted in no change to ped/bike connectivity.

I am a little surprised not to see the route of the Purple Line on the maps. It's supposed to end at New Carrolton.

[Washcycle]

It is in the plan. It's on other maps, but not the bike one (I suspect that's because it will run on streets).