New Ave Bikeway
About the New Ave Bikeway
The goal of the New Ave Bikeway is to fill a gap in safe bicycle infrastructure along New Hampshire Ave (MD 650). This project redesigns the underutilized service lanes on the southbound side on New Hampshire Avenue to become a two-directional bikeway. The route creates new connections between local retail, recreation, and transit hubs while also preserving essential vehicular access to neighboring properties. The work is primarily grant-funded, with a required City match.
This project is currently divided into four parts:
- Section A (Holton Lane to Auburn Ave)
- Section B (Auburn Ave to Poplar Ave)
- Section D (Poplar Ave to Kansas Ave NE)
- New Ave Purple Line Connector — awarded in April 2024
The division of the bikeway into smaller sections allows the City to pursue different pots of grant funding to move the project forward.
Designs and Processes
Designs for Section A – Holton Lane to Auburn Avenue
The City was awarded a Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments grant for preliminary (30%) designs and an MD-Bikeways Grants for semifinal (60%) and final (100%) designs. The final designs are currently in progress, with expected completion in 2025. These plans build on comments received on the preliminary and semi-final plans. Designs, approvals, and presentations for the New Ave Bikeway – Section A can be viewed at the links below:
- New Ave Bikeway – Section A – 60% Design Plans (PDF)
- September 16, 2020 – Council Presentation of Semi-final (60%) Plans (PDF)
- Montgomery Planning Board review: The New Avenue Bikeway, Section A, Mandatory Referral (MR2021007), February 18, 2021
- New Ave Bikeway – Section A – 30% Design Roll-Out Plans (PDF)
- New Ave Bikeway – Section A – 30% Design Estimated Construction Costs (PDF)
- May 17, 2017 – Final Council Presentation of 30% plans (PDF)
Designs for Section B – Auburn Avenue to Poplar Avenue
The City was awarded a MD-Bikeways Grant for preliminary (30%), semifinal (60%), and final (100%) designs. The final designs are currently in progress; the 90% designs are under review by relevant state and local agencies and utilities. Designs, approvals, and presentations for the New Ave Bikeway – Section B can be viewed at the links below:
- New Ave Bikeway – Section B – 60% Design Plans (PDF)
- November 10, 2021 – Council Presentation of Semi-final (60%) Plans (PDF)
- New Ave Bikeway – Section B – Mandatory Referral (MR2021024), October 28, 2021
- New Ave Bikeway – Section B – 30% Design Plans (PDF)
- New Ave Bikeway – Section B – 30% Design Community Meeting, February 18, 2021 (slides) (PDF)
- New Ave Bikeway – Section B – 30% Design Community Meeting, February 18, 2021 (recording of zoom meeting) (Zoom Recording)
Designs for Section D (District Connector) – Poplar Avenue to Kansas Ln
The City was awarded a MWCOG TLC program grant to begin preliminary design work for the New Ave Bikeway – Section D (District Connector). This new section will extend from the bikeway’s southern point at Poplar Ave and connect to the existing bike lanes on Kansas Ave NE at the DC border. Staff is applying for additional funding to complete the design.
Designs, approvals, and presentations for the New Ave Bikeway – Section D can be viewed at the links below:
- July 12, 2023 – Council presentation of Final 30% Plans
- New Ave Bikeway – Section D (District Connector) Finalized Preliminary (30%) Design Plans (PDF)
- First Draft Preliminary Concept Designs for the New Ave Bikeway – Section D (District Connector) (PDF)
- Presentation Slides (PDF)
- Presentation Recording (YouTube – English) (Video)
- Presentation Recording (YouTube – Español) (Video)
Designs for New Ave Purple Line Connector
The City was awarded a MWCOG TLC program grant to examine bikeway connectivity between the transit center and the planned New Ave Bikeway. The study will determine routing and infrastructure recommendations for a safe and comfortable bike and pedestrian connection that will support transit access. It will also investigate the potential creation of new community open space. The project will focus on potential bikeway facilities along Hammond Avenue and Kennewick Avenue, as well as recommended changes in public space on Anne Street, potentially to include the closure of that street to vehicular traffic.
The project will begin in Fall, 2024 and be completed by June 30, 2025.
Project Lead & Contact Info
Planning Division
Housing and Community Development Department
Phone: 301-891-7119
Email: planning@takomaparkmd.gov
Quicklinks
- Planning and Community Development
- 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 Info & Timeline
- Completion date: Fall 2023 (design work)
- Takoma Park’s role in project: Lead
- Departments involved: Housing & Community Development
Budget & Funding Sources:
| Source | Award Date | Project | Grant Funds | City Funds | Total Grant Project |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MWCOG | 2024 | TLC FY25 New Ave Purple Line Connector | $80,000 | $0 | $80,000 |
| MWCOG | 2022 | Section D - Preliminary Designs | $70,000 | $0 | $70,000 |
| Kim Lamphier Bikeways Program (MD-DOT) | 2021 | Section B - Final Design Plans | $254,000 | $64,000 | $318,000 |
| Kim Lamphier Bikeways Program (MD-DOT) | 2020 | Section A - Final Design Plans | $473,000 | $118,000 | $591,000 |
| MD Bikeways | 2019 | Section B - Semi-Final Design Plans | $235,000 | $58,750 | $293,750 |
| MD Bikeways | 2018 | Section A - Semi-Final Design Plans | $240,000 | $60,000 | $300,000 |
| MWCOG | 2016 | Section A - Preliminary Design Plans - Technical Assistance | $60,000 | $0 | $60,000 |
| MWCOG | 2013 | New Hampshire Ave Multi-way Boulevard Feasibility Study | $50,000 | $0 | $50,000 |
| TOTAL FUNDING | $1,462,000 | $300,750 | $1,762,750 |
Project Timeline
- Fall 2024
Completion of Final (100%) Design for Section A (behind schedule) - Fall 2024
Completion of Final (100%) Design for Section B - July 12, 2023
City Council Hearing on Section D - March 2, 2023
Virtual Community Meeting to Review Initial Concept Designs - December 10, 2022
Community route walk and ride for preliminary input on Section D - September 2022
Kick-off meeting for MWCOG TLC Grant to begin Section D – Preliminary (30%) Designs - November 10, 2021
Council Presentation for Section B – Semifinal (60%) Designs - November 2021
Completion of Semifinal (60%) Design for Section B - October 28, 2021
Planning Board Mandatory Referral approval for Section B
- September 2021
Awarded Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program (MD-DOT) Grant for Final (100%) Design for Section B
- February 2021
Awarded Kim Lamphier Bikeways Network Program (MD-DOT) Grant for Final (100%) Design for Section A - February 2021
Planning Board Mandatory Referral approval for Section A
- February 2021
Community Meeting for Preliminary (30%) Designs for Section B - January 2021
Completion of Preliminary (30%) Design for Section B - Fall 2020
Completion of Semifinal (60%) Design for Section A - Summer 2020
Community Outreach and Council Presentation for Section A - June 2020
Initiation of Preliminary (30%) Design for Section B - September 2019
Awarded MD Bikeways Grant Semifinal (30%) Design for Section B - September 2018
Council Approves Ordinance to Execute Contract for Design Services with RK&K - July 2018
Grant Agreement Executed - November 2017
Awarded MD Bikeways Grant for Semifinal (60%) Design for Section A - June 2017
Preliminary (30%) Designs Completed - May 2017
RK&K presented Preliminary (30%) Designs to Council for Section A
- March 2017
Community Meeting for Preliminary (30%) Design for Section A
- February 16, 2017
Stakeholders Meeting - July 2016
MWCOG Technical Assistance Grant Awarded for Preliminary (30%) Design for Section A
