Metropolitan Branch Trail Upgrade
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 grant will fund 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!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT The community survey for feedback on the First Draft Preliminary Concept Designs for the MBT Upgrade (PDF) is now closed. A summary of the survey results will be posted at a later date – thank you to all those who participated! And please stay tuned for more feedback opportunities later this spring. |
Current Project Status
On Thursday, March 2, the consulting firm held a virtual community meeting where they shared their first draft of the preliminary concept designs 30% designs:
- First Draft Preliminary Concept Designs for the MBT Upgrade (PDF)
- Presentation Slides (PDF)
- Presentation Recording (YouTube – English)
- Presentation Recording (YouTube – Español)
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. Today, the trail looks similar to how it did nearly two decades ago, but time has revealed the design to be inadequate and the condition of the trail to be deteriorating.
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
Alex Freedman
Planner
Phone: 301-891-7119
Email: alexanderf@takomaparkmd.gov
Quicklinks
- Planning and Community Development
- Takoma Park Demographics Interactive Map
- Takoma Park Social Vulnerability Map
- Bikeways Program
- Bus Stop Improvements
- Maple Avenue Connectivity Project
- Metropolitan Branch Trail Upgrade
- Minor Master Plan Amendment
- New Ave Bikeway
- Public Space Management Plan
- Safe Routes to School
- We Belong Here: The Takoma Park Equity Walk
Project Timeline
- April 2022
MWCOG Technical Assistance Grant Awarded for Preliminary (30%) Design for Section A - May – September 2022
Project Contractor Selection Process - September 2022
Project Kick-off - Fall -Winter 2023
Site Analysis and Community Engagement Process - December 10, 2022
Community route walk and ride for preliminary input - March 2, 2023
Virtual Community Meeting to Review Initial Concept Designs - Spring 2023
Draft designs shared with City Council and public for feedback - May 2023
City Council Vote on updated draft designs
