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 aims to creatively redesign 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 vehicular access to neighboring properties.
The project is currently divided into three parts: Section A (Holton Ln to Auburn Ave), Section B (Auburn Ave to Poplar Ave), and Section D (Poplar Ave to Kansas Ave NE). The division of the bikeway into smaller sections allows the City to pursue different pots of grant funding to move the project forward. The City of Takoma Park selected the firm Rummel, Klepper, and Kahl (RK&K) to complete the designs for the first two stages of the project, and the third section is currently in the bidding process.
The seeds for this project were planted in the 2013 New Ave Feasibility Study. Since then, a mix of new circumstances continued to increase the viability and need for better bicycle connections in the area. These include a variety of state funding grants, new County-level bicycle and pedestrian master plans, the arrival of new Capital Bikeshare infrastructure, the Takoma-Langley Transit Center, and the MDOT Purple Line.
Current Project Status
In April, 2022, 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.
Final designs for New Ave Bikeway – Sections A & B are currently underway. Once final designs are completed, the City will be able to pursue construction funding to begin building both Sections A & B of the New Ave Bikeway.
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 Grant for semifinal (60%) and final (100%) designs. The final designs are currently in progress. 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
- New Ave Bikeway – Section A – Grading Cross Sections
- September 16, 2020 – Council Presentation of Semi-final (60%) Plans
- 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
- New Ave Bikeway – Section A – 30% Design Estimated Construction Costs
- May 17, 2017 – Final Council Presentation of 30% plans
- New Ave Bikeway – Section A – 15% Design Roll-Out Plans
- New Ave Bikeway – Section A – 15% Design Option Matrix
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. Designs, approvals, and presentations for the New Ave Bikeway – Section B can be viewed at the links below:
- November 10, 2021 – Council Presentation of Semi-final (60%) Plans
- New Ave Bikeway – Section B – 60% Design Plans
- New Ave Bikeway – Section B – Mandatory Referral (MR2021024), October 28, 2021
- New Ave Bikeway – Section B – 30% Design Plans
- New Ave Bikeway – Section B – 30% Design Community Meeting, February 18, 2021 (slides)
- New Ave Bikeway – Section B – 30% Design Community Meeting, February 18, 2021 (recording of zoom meeting)
- New Ave Bikeway – Section B – 30% Color Roll
Project Lead & Contact Info
Alex Freedman
Planner
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
- 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: TBD
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MW-COG | 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 |
| MW-COG | 2016 | Section A - Preliminary Design Plans - Technical Assistance | $60,000 | $0 | $60,000 |
| MW-COG | 2013 | New Hampshire Ave Multi-way Boulevard Feasibility Study | $50,000 | $0 | $50,000 |
| TOTAL FUNDING | $1,382,000 | $300,750 | $1,682,750 |
Project Timeline
- Fall 2023
Completion of Final (100%) Design for Section B - Spring 2022
Completion of Final (100%) Design for Section A - 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 (60%) Design for Section B - Fall 2018 to Present
Design Work and Agency Stakeholder Meetings (Ongoing) - October 2019
Six Month Extension Granted by MD Bikeways - 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
