MWCOG approves bike projects in Maryland and DC

I'm many months behind on this, but last year the MWCOG approved several Transportation Alternatives projects in DC and MD, most of which will be of interest to cyclists.

Under the federal Transportation Alternatives Set Aside (TA Set Aside) Program, the TPB is responsible for selecting projects using sub-allocated funding for Suburban Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The TA Set Aside, which is part of the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, was previously known as the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and that name is commonly still used.

The project to get the most funding was the Golden Mile Multi-Modal Access Project in Frederick, MD. 

The project will provide 100% design for a shared use path of 1.25 miles along US 40 that improves safety for pedestrians and bicycles.

Next up is the Palisades (Glen Echo) Trolley Trail Preliminary Design project which got $600,000.  This funded a feasibility study that is currently underway and is expected to wrap up in August.

The purpose of this feasibility study is to identify critical issues and challenges in developing a multi-use trail for pedestrians and bicyclists of all ages and abilities on the former Glen Echo Trolley line corridor, an area commonly referred to as the Palisades Trolley Trail. The project will determine if a trail along the corridor would provide a transportation utility for pedestrians and bicyclists. The feasibility study will include a comprehensive survey of the study area to determine topography, utilities, site conditions, and historic resources. In addition, an in-depth inspection of the Foundry Branch Trestle Bridge will be completed, and options developed to rehabilitate the Bridge for use by bicycles and pedestrians as part of the Palisades Trolley Trail. 

The hearing on the application to raze the trestle was postponed due to the government shutdown, but has now been rescheduled for March 22nd. 

Getting $248,000 is the Forest Glen sidewalk project.

A sidewalk along the north side of Forest Glen Road from Woodland Drive to Sligo Creek Parkway will be designed to the level of 35%. The half-mile project will provide a link to a planned tunnel under Georgia Avenue connecting to the Forest Glen Metro Station

Skipping over a Union Station restoration project, the next is phase 2 of Prince George's County Bikeshare program which got $222,000.

With this project, Prince George's County will further expand Capital Bikeshare within the MD 193 corridor.

Back to DC, the Rock Creek Park Military Road Feasibility Study got $200,000.

A feasibility study funded through this grant will evaluate conceptual alignments for the construction of a multi-use trail, which was identified as a priority in the 2016 NPS paved Trails Study and recommend in moveDC. The project will study a length of 1.3 miles between 16th Street and Oregon Avenue.

Another project in DC (they're all in NW, I'm afraid) is the Capital Crescent and C&O Canal - Georgetown Trail Improvements which got $150,000.

Building upon recent improvements, this project will create a new trailhead at the Georgetown connection point of the Capital Crescent Trail and the C&O Canal towpath, two of the most heavily traveled bicycle and pedestrian trail routes in the region. TAP grant funding will be used to fund a suite of improvements including landscaping, planting, lighting, a trailhead meeting area, and an improved staircase.

Finally, there's the Scott/Veirs Drive Shared Use Path in Rockville which got $60,000.

A feasibility study will be developed for a 1.2- mile shared use path along Scott Drive and Veirs Drive, between Wootton Parkway and Glen Mill Road

Comments

[Brett Young]

Looking forward to moving the Palisades trail forward and getting the bridge refurbished

[huskerdont]

The Palisades Trolley Trail would certainly help fix cycling in one of the least traversable areas of NW. Still seems a long way off.

[Crickey]

I am contractually obligated to say I oppose the trestle.