Work on Phase I of the South Shore Trail is underway

The South Shore trail is a proposed 14 mile rail trail that will link the B&A Trail, the WB&A Trail and the Annapolis Colonial Maritime Trail.  One short section (Phase Va)has already been built from Annapolis Plaza to Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis. And now it appears that work has begun on more.

The trail primarily utilizes the abandoned road bed of the WB&A Railroad between Annapolis and Odenton. When finished, it will be a component of the East Coast Greenway and the American Discovery Trail. 

Work on Phase I started last October, but it seems to have really picked up now. This 10-foot wide section will be in Millersville from Hansel Drive to Waterbury Road, a distance of about 1.8 miles. There will be trailheads with parking at each end. There will be three at-grade crossings and the one at Waterbury Road will be coupled with road improvements to improve safety and sight distances. Work is to be completed by this October. 

The website is unfortunately out of date as it talks about later phases being expected to start in 2017, but here's what they have right now:

Phase III and IV Feasibility Study expected to begin Summer 2017

Phase II - Design continues

Phase Xing - Feasibility Study expected to begin Spring/Summer 2017 for MD Route 3 Crossing

 

Here are the plats if you want to get really detailed and know where the trees will be planted and the underground duct banks buried. How long before they build a connection to Lamppost Lane I wonder. And it's a little bit surprising that they didn't build a direct connection to the elementary school by which it passes (Update: I learned that back in 1994, there was a planned connection to the school and it was quite contentious, with people concerned that the trail would create safety and security issues)