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| | | Metropolitan Branch Trail construction begins at Union Station | | June 22, 2009 | | | | Mayor Adrian Fenty and District Department of Transportation director Gabe Klein kicked off construction for the final section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail on June 9.
When the trail is completed, it will connect the Capital Crescent Trail, the Anacostia Tributaries Trail System and the National Mall. City officials have said they hope the trail will increase pedestrian access to downtown and decrease the need for cars.
When the 1.5-mile section between New York Avenue and Franklin Street NE is completed — expected to happen this summer — the trail will stretch from Silver Spring to Union Station, according to a news release from the mayor’s office.
Planning for the bike and pedestrian trail began in the 1990s, the release states. The trail currently has sections in place from New York Avenue to Union Station and 1st Street NE to John McCormack Road NE.
“This is a fantastic step forward in transforming the District into a pedestrian and bicycle friendly city,” Fenty said in the release. “When this trail is completed, walkers and bikers won’t have to compete with cars on our busiest streets – residents will have access to a trail that leads them through the heart of the city.”
Ultimately the trail will connect Metro stations at New York Avenue, Rhode Island Avenue and Union Station once a bridge for pedestrians and bicyclists is built.
“The Met Branch Trail will be an important pedestrian and bicycle route,” says director Klein in the release. “With the region’s air quality worsening, the trail will allow people to get out of their cars and bike to work or to a Metro station.”
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