It's been nearly 30 years since WABA began working to preserve the rail ROW that would become the Metropolitan Branch Trail. Despite numerous delays, large sections of the trail have been built and are opened. Below is a look at where the complete project stands today.
Montgomery County
Starting at the northern end, two sections have been built. One, from Colesville Road to Ripley Street, opened in 2013 as part of the Silver Spring Transit Center and another 100 foot long stub was built south from Ripley as part of the Solaire Building.
MC GAP 1 - From Ripley, a one-block gap exists to Silver Spring Avenue. This is to be built as part of the "Ripley II" project, but I can't find any information on when that will happen.
Between Silver Spring Ave and the B&O railroad station, a one block section was built as part of the Progress Place project, but that section has been imprisoned for crimes it did not commit.
What did you do trail? What did you do?
MC GAP 2 - From the B&O Station to the intersection of Fenton and New York Avenue is one gap that will be closed in two phases. Phase 1, from New York Avenue to King and then west along King to a dead-end, started and then stopped last year while Montgomery County and Montgomery College executed an Agreement for the construction of the trail segment (as sections on both Fenton and King were to be built on College owned land). The County plans to restart Phase I construction this fall following execution of the Agreement with the College. Phase II is still planned to last from 2018 to 2021 at last report.
Between New York Avenue and the DC line the trail is complete and has been for over a decade.
Prince George's County
Another part of the trail is the Prince George's County Connector that will connect the trail at Fort Totten to the Northwest Branch Trail at Hyattsville in Prince George's County. One piece of that, from Eastern Avenue in DC to Russell Avenue was completed in 2010.
PG GAP 1 - I could not find any information on closing the Russell Avenue to Chillum Road gap.
DC
DC GAP 1 - The largest gap in the system is from the DC line to Bates Road NE. This has also been broken up into multiple projects. Phase I from Bates Road to the Fort Totten Metro Station went out for bid in February, with construction completion targeted for 2019. The Fort Totten to Takoma section of the MBT is expected to begin final design in fall 2017; complete final design in fall 2018; and begin construction in spring (fall as of 7/30/2018) 2019. Though they don't say, it's not unreasonable to expect construction to take a year or longer. There is also a small 100-200 foot section of the Prince George's County Connector in DC, and I expect that to be built as part of the next section.
From Bates to M St, NE, the trail is completed, having been built as part of several other projects including the New York Avenue Metro to 8th Street section.
DC GAP 2 - the last gap is a half block gap from just south of M Street to street level at L. Currently a trail and stairs exist, but the long-term plan has always involved a ramp here. This will constructed along with the NoMa Station projects Phases II-IV. After a few delays of its own, all I can say is that of last May, the completion of NoMa Station is still planned.
Beyond this there are improvements planned. The Z-Curve at R Street will be somewhat straightened out. The intersection at Monroe is going to be improved and a protected bike lane added to 8th Street between Monroe and Franklin.
And there are other improvements realized.
Through the good works of Mr. Eddie Garnett, ANC Commissioner 5E01 and the generosity of the owner of the storage facility at 8th St NE Robby Miller, the Jersey Barrier blocking access to Franklin Alley has been moved. The result is that cyclists coming over the north side of the Franklin Bridge, or proceeding south on 7thcan now just go down the alley, cross 8th (with care) directly to the entrance of the MBT. This is a particular boon when the schools let out on Edgewood, creating big traffic snarls at that intersection. Cutting down the alley avoids all of that. Thanks to Mr. Garnett and Robby Miller for making this happen.
But maybe, if the stars all line up, we can finish the Metropolitan Branch Trail before the idea of it turns 40 years old.
Thanks for the Franklin Bridge improvement, Mr. Garnett and Mr. Miller! I just used it this morning. It's so nice to not have to get in the middle of Franklin Street and make a left turn against traffic. It will save me a minute, and some stress, every time!
Posted by: John Stith | July 31, 2017 at 05:37 PM
Is there any plan to create a protected bike lane next to brookland/CUA metro stop? I have a lot of trouble getting by the kids as I traverse between Monroe to McCormack dr on the trail.
Posted by: Jeff K | September 25, 2017 at 09:23 AM