TKPK Community Center to be Closed Sunday, October 13, 2024 for Demolition Work

The Community Center will be closed on Sunday, 10/13/24, to accommodate demolition in the Recreation Department area. As always, the City of Takoma Park Police Department is available 24/7

2024 City Election for Mayor & Council

Takoma Park Elections Will Take Place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Library Renovations Update: Changes Coming to the Community Center/Recreation Beginning Thursday, September 26, 2024

The scheduling of demolition and construction timelines are pending weather.

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Metropolitan Branch Trail Upgrade

About the Metropolitan Branch Trail

Commonly referred to as the “Met Branch Trail”,  the partially completed trail uses rail right-of-way to create a multi-use pedestrian and bicycle path. When complete, the Metropolitan Branch Trail will be an 8.5-mile multi-use trail from Union Station in the District of Columbia to Maryland’s Silver Spring transit hub.

The City of Takoma Park is responsible for the care and maintenance of 0.45 miles of the MBT, running along Takoma Ave and Albany Ave, between DC and Silver Spring. In 2003, this half-mile stretch became one of the first alignments of the MBT.

Current Project Status

On September 14, 2023, the City was awarded a new grant from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program for the Metropolitan Branch Trail Upgrade of $465,000 for the design of the project. This grant will allow the City to complete the design and then seek construction funds. The total project cost is $581,000, with $116,000 City match.

Map of Metropolitan Branch Trail Upgrade Project Area

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The Preliminary (30%) Designs for the Metropolitan Branch Trail Upgrade were presented during the City Council meeting on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. The designs were created by the firm Rummel, Klepper, and Kahl (RK&K), with the input from community members, city, and county staff. To get to the construction phase, the City is looking into funding options to complete semi-final (60%) and final (100%) designs. Additional community engagement will occur during those stages.

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In April 2022, MWCOG awarded the City a  grant to start the process to upgrade the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) to meet current standards for safe, comfortable, and connected bikeways. The $60,000  funded technical assistance for preliminary designs work on the trail. Possible improvements could include resurfacing and widening the trail, adding lighting for evening riding, creating new pedestrian crossings to nearby parks and community institutions, and more!

Learn more about the District Dept. of Transportation’s efforts to continue the MBT to the south: https://metbranchtrail.com/met-branch-trail-fort-totten-to-takoma/

Learn more about Montgomery County Dept. or Transportation’s efforts to continue the MBT to the north: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte/projects/metropolitan/index.html

Project Lead

Rosalind Grigsby
Community Development Manager
Housing and Community Development
Phone: 301-891-7205
Email:
planning@takomaparkmd.gov 

Yard Sign with Information about a Survey for the Metropolitan Branch Trail Upgrade Project

Quicklinks

Capital Bikeshare bike on a curve of the Metropolitan Branch Trail.

Project Timeline

  • February 27, 2024
    Execution of agreement between the City and the State of Maryland for grant funds
  • September 14, 2023
    Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program grant awarded $465,000
  • July 12, 2023
    City Council presentation on finalized preliminary (30%) designs
  • March 2, 2023
    Virtual Community Meeting to Review Initial Concept Designs
  • December 10, 2022
    Community route walk and ride for preliminary input
  • Fall -Winter  2023
    Site Analysis and Community Engagement Process
  • September 2022
    Project Kick-off
  • April 2022
    MWCOG Technical Assistance Grant Awarded for Preliminary (30%) Design

Metropolitan Branch Trail Upgrade Sections