Takoma Branch is a 1.7 mile long tributary of Sligo Creek, it's rare in the Anacostia watershed in that it flows north - if ever so slightly - and it starts in DC and flows into Maryland*. A trail along Takoma Branch, while only a little more than a mile long, could constitute most of a connection between the ATTS and the bike lanes on Kansas Ave NW in DC.
The blue line on the map above is the power line corridor between Takoma Park and Ellicott City, which could make most of the trail superfluous. A trail along this corridor from Ray Road to the Beltway was the first one mentioned in the 1990 Sector Plan that governs this area, and it may go back as far as the 1975 Countywide Trails plan.
Even if such a trail were built, the western quarter of a mile would still be useful. More so if DDOT ever added a protected bike facility to Kansas; something neither they nor WABA have made a priority of. It would likely require an overpass, underpass or improved crossing of New Hampshire Avenue at Poplar Ave/Ray Road to make it safe though.
And the last little bit on the east, from Chillum Manor road to the existing Trail bridge over Sligo Creek could have utility as a connector, and one more pleasant than the one farther down.
With or without a power line trail, this stream valley has some value as a trail, but more with an improvement of facilities in DC.
*There are a few others along the south side of Sligo Creek and NW Branch, but they aren't named. The most relevant one to cyclists flows between 16th and 18th Avenue and was once considered as a route of the PG County Connector trail, in fact a small connector trail branches off near it to Ray Road.
What does "CWL" stand for?
The Takoma Branch trail you outline would be great for that part of Hampshire Knolls which has little in terms of neighborhood recreation facilities.
Another way to connect the Northwest Branch Trail to DC is to start with the Ray Road connector and 16th Avenue as you mention, but then follow Kennedy Street to the west and keep going, along the tributary. Staying along the south side of the tributary, where Kennedy Street ends there is one private lawn, but it is separated from the residence by the channel, so it might be a relatively easy acquisition for the county.
Heading west, it would be great for residents of 14th Avenue to have a trail at the bottom end of their very steep block. Between 14th Ave and Sargent Road is an overgrown channelized section that would be the most difficult section to construct.
From Sargent Road to Eastern Avenue actually looks quite easy -- all public land, and a small bridge at the Chillum Hills Park tennis courts would greatly improve pedestrian access to that facility.
At Eastern a major DC trail is planned, and Kennedy Street NE is a good on-street route west towards the Metropolitan Branch Trail. Overall I think this "connect Kennedy Street" trail option has numerous neighborhood benefits and may be the most realistic "Prince George's" connector option given how stalled the one at West Hyattsville is.
Posted by: John Stith | December 27, 2020 at 09:55 PM
CWL = Christmas Wish List.
Posted by: washcyle | December 28, 2020 at 12:32 PM