The Folly Branch Connector Trail, which will connect the WB&A Trail to the Lakeview Trail in Lanham has been delayed again. Though the project site says that work is underway, it now says the trail will not be completed until early 2016.
Back in 2013, when the project first went out to bid, it was to be opened by summer of 2014 (and before that they were reporting early 2014). The trail received state recreational trails funding last year and work was to be completed in 2015. But it appears to have slipped again.
A similar phenomenon is on-going with the WB&A Trail Spur
the former WB&A Spur into a hard-surface trail from the Horsepen Trailhead northward, above the peaceful wetlands along the Patuxent River.
Work on that was originally to be completed in early 2014, then late 2014, then spring of 2015 and now the end of 2015.
But I wouldn't bet on it.
Most of the WB&A spur is already paved with bridge abutments being recently installed over a small creek. Since they used a preexisting railroad grade I don't see why this trail is so hard to build.
Posted by: Cyrus | September 26, 2015 at 11:01 PM
I think the reason why the trail has been taking so long is due to the drainage problems caused by the large swamp immediately adjacent to the old railroad grade. The level of the swamp is almost the same as the grade so when it rains the swamp turns the grade into a muddy bog.
The current construction work appears to be centered on a new 2 foot deep by 6 foot wide drainage channel dug at the lowest point of the grade. It appears to be in preparation for a low culvert/bridge. The paved portion now extends all the way up to this channel.
Posted by: TheOneKEA | October 04, 2015 at 04:27 PM