Anacostia River Trails take more steps forward

When done the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail in DC and the Anacostia Tributary Trails in Maryland will connect to one another to create a 60 mile trail network, arguably the region's most extensive. Last week a new section was formally opened to much fanfare and it was announced that work that would close the gap between the two systems would begin in 2012. In addition work continues on four other sections in the District, with the next ribbon cutting two weeks away.

The section that was celebrated last week was a 1.5 mile section from Bladensburg Park to a dead-end just north of US-50.

The trail consists mostly of a winding section along the river, much of which was finished three years ago as part of the Wilson Bridge Project, as well as a new connection to Kenilworth Avenue via Lloyd Street. Despite its limited utility, the ceremony attracted a lengthy list of prominent officials including cabinet secretaries, a governor and a senator. This list isn't even complete as there were several state legislators and county and local officials there as well. I even saw Tommy Wells there. The ceremony was about more than just the trail - or even the future promise of the completed trail- though. It was also about the restoration of the river and access to the state's $9.2 million 50-acre Anacostia Wetland Mitigation Project - paid for, at least in part, by the Wilson Bridge Project. [If you ride the trail, you'll see this on the southern end between the trail and the river. Go off trail,and on foot, and climb the hill it created for a pretty good view of the area. The view won't last once trees grow in.]

the restoration of the Anacostia River Watershed and the development of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail has twice been identified as a priority project for the Obama administration under the President’s America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) initiative and the Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP). Both initiatives seek to reconnect Americans to the great outdoors and revitalize urban waterways in underserved communities across the country.

It was also an opportunity for Democrats and the Obama administration to contrast themselves, and their support for these kinds of projects, against Republicans who want to cut funding for infrastructure and biking in particular.

"The Anacostia River Trail is a great example of the lasting benefits transportation projects can bring to a community by connecting people to jobs and schools, encouraging economic development, and protecting the environment," said Secretary LaHood. "The Obama Administration is committed to working with our community partners to build great projects like this that provide people with affordable and green transportation options."

“Connecting people and communities is what the Anacostia River Trail, like the Anacostia River itself, is all about,” said Senator Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Water and Wildlife Subcommittee. “I’m proud to support federal investments that bring together the people of Maryland and the District of Columbia with each other, local economic opportunities and America’s Great Outdoors. Federal dollars are tight right now, so it is important that we invest in the right places, like here on the Anacostia River, to help make our local communities more livable and more economically viable.”

“It’s truly exciting to see the penultimate segment completed in one of the Nation’s largest trail networks,” said DOT Deputy Secretary John D. Porcari. “Let’s redouble our efforts to complete the last link in the District of Columbia and maximize the benefits of this magnificent system for bikers, walker and commuters throughout the region.”

Gov. O'Malley announced that the trail would be expanded south into DC starting late next year, and that Maryland will commit $1million towards that goal.

"The new section we’re opening today is a great start, but together with our partners in the District and in federal government, we are committed to completing the entire trail. We look forward to breaking ground in 2012.”

Once complete, the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail Network will offer nearly 60 miles of contiguous trails – including 39 miles in Maryland and 20 miles in the District of Columbia.

Project design on the new section will be complete this summer, but that isn't all.

With more than $25 million invested, 12 of 20 miles are complete, including segments linking Diamond Teague Park, the Pumphouse, the Yards, Navy Yard, RFK Stadium, River Terrace and Anacostia Park. The rest are in planning, design or under construction in coordination with the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. DOT and other agencies.

There are five other sections currently under construction, including the Maine Avenue section, the two Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Bridges, the 11th Street Bridge and the bridge between Yards Park and Diamond Teague Park, which opens in two weeks. 

The official dedication of the new pedestrian bridge connecting the Yards Park and Diamond Teague Park will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 1:30 pm. The mayor is expected to be there, along with George Hawkins of DC Water (since the bridge runs right past the main pumping station) and I'm sure a slew of other dignitaries.

Maine Avenue was supposed to be completed in October, so we can assume that is close. The two FRP bridges should be open by spring 2012, and the 11th Street Bridge is targeted for July 2013. That will leave 6 more sections to complete, including the one that connects to the trail opened last week. 

If you'd like to see some of the event, there is video here and here. And here is some more video below

 

Dedication Ceremony Anacostia River Trail Section in Prince George's County MD from Greenbelt Bike Videos on Vimeo.

Comments

[darren]

latest update from Maine Ave SW project folks is end of November

[Michael H.]

You should point out that LaHood is a Republican, even though he's a member of the Obama Administration.

[Michael H.]

Any plans to connect the Anacostia trails to the WB&A? That would be an easier way to create a true DC-Baltimore bike path.

[Richard Layman]

it occurs to me that the Fort Totten to West Hyattsville Metro trail connection could be also promoted as a continuation of this trail, or at least related. That would provide a connection from Upper NW DC (and Maryland) via the Metropolitan Branch Trail.

[washcycle]

Richard, that's true. And that trail will also be completed soon.

Michael H., yes there are plans to connect it to the WB&A trail (see this)

[Purple Eagle]

Regarding your comment to Richard, have you heard some positive news on connecting the trail from the DC line to West Hyattsville? You write "that will be completed soon", but the last I heard, it was still mired in uncertainty. I had gotten the impression that there were no concrete plans to proceed.

[washcycle]

Last I heard is that the FONSI was issued for that section (Phase II). With the Rhode Island Avenue bridge going out for bid, that should free up Heather Deutsche to pivot to Phase II.

http://ddot.dc.gov/DC/DDOT/About+DDOT/News+Room/Public+Notices/Notice+of+Availability:+Metropolitan+Branch+Trail+Finding+of+No+Significant+Impact

[Michael H.]

Re Baltimore, it looks like they are taking another shot at their own bikeshare system. After putting their plans on hold back in the spring, they are entering "exclusive negotiations" with B-cycle again. The city wants their system to be self-sufficient, with no public funds used at all.

If that's the case, then the rates could be fairly high, much higher than CaBi rates. More like Miami Beach's system.

I would guess that many people would have preferred an Alta/Bixi system (if there's a Baltimore system at all). But maybe it's better if there are at least two successful bikeshare companies around. If more and more cities add bikeshare, then it might be difficult for a single company to handle the demand for bikes and stations. Since our CaBi keys don't work with stations in other Bixi systems, there isn't any benefit to having Bixi systems everywhere.

I just hope the B-cycle bikes are as sturdy as the Bixi bikes. One difference is that the B-cycle bikes have an enclosed front basket. This could result in trash issues, either from careless users but more likely from non-users who might use the baskets as garbage cans on the street.

It'll be interesting to see what happens up there.

http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2011/11/09/baltimore-bikeshare-program-revived-300-bike-network-possible-by-next-fall/

[Michael H.]

The Baltimore mayor's office also released a statement to the press:

http://www.baltimorecity.gov/OfficeoftheMayor/NewsPressReleases/tabid/66/ID/1772/Mayor_Rawlings-Blake_Announces_City_One_Step_Closer_to_Implementing_Bike-Share_Program.aspx

It doesn't seem like they have really done anything though. They want a bikeshare system but they don't want to pay anything for it.

[Purple Eagle]

Tried to post this earlier, but internet gremlins seem to have gobbled up my comment:

WC, regarding the Hyattsville connector, I was thinking of the section in MD between the West Hyattsville metro station and Avondale neighborhood park, where a section was paved last year. Correct me if I am wrong, but it looks to me like the FONSI refers to only the DC segment of the trail.

[washcycle]

Sorry, I didn't know which section you were referring to. I don't know the status on the MD side.

[Jim Titus]

Breaking ground during 2012 is a best-case scenario, which would require (a) getting the design contractors working again (they are idled by a contracting snafu, according to one), (b) NPS being unusually cooperative about a trail through its property, (c) Amtrak being unusually cooperative, and (d) DC securing federal funding from a grant for which it has not yet applied.

I think that the $1 million O'Malley mentioned is a statewide trail initiative, not for connecting this trail into DC. M-NCPPC says that DC will secure the funding. The Maryland money will leverage local and federal funding MDOT sources had previously said it would be $2 million, so it is not yet clear what happenned to the other $1 million.

[Mr. Carlin]

And I'll say it again, because coverage of this never says it: The Navy will not allow you to ride your bike. You must get off and walk on the portion of the trail by the Navy Yard. Broken link.

[Purple Eagle]

Perhaps the Navy Yard can be convinced to allow bikes after the trail is complete - it will be more clear that it's a missing link.

Right now that section does not appear to be used much. I was running there on Tues afternoon - beautiful fall day and I saw nobody else on the promenade. Or in the new Yards Park area either. I suppose that might change when the new residential building nearby is complete.

The promenade is quite wide. No reason cyclists can't safely use it, even mixing with pedestrians - except at the short section of narrow metal bridge. Dismounting will probably be necessary at that spot.

[Richard Layman]

WRT the trail that I mentioned, I was talking about two different things:

1. the part around Fort Totten for the MBT;

2. the part, including partially in Maryland, that isn't part of the MBT, but is supposed to provide a connection to the NW Branch Trail at the West Hyattsville Station.

It is this part I was referring to, in terms of making a connection to the NW Branch Trail and then the ART.

To get over that way now, I ride down Gallatin/Eastern Ave. to Arundel/Annapolis Rd. in Mt. Rainier and make a bunch of cut overs.

[Richard Layman]

WRT Baltimore and bcycle as a competitor I am disappointed. We weren't able to bid on the system as we were working out new arrangements with a different provider and I was expecting that they would rebid it eventually.

My sense is that bcycle did this because they need to "buy" market share, as bixi has been winning all the major cities, and they need a win. (Bixi was ruled out as they didn't meet all the terms of the RFP.)

[washcycle]

Mr. Carlin, the Navy has gone from closed, to open only during a few hours, to open most of the day in a very short time. We just need to keep working with them. But I have seen people biking on the promenade and not be stopped.