

Photo by PoPville flickr user Matt Calvert

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the design-build construction of the next phase of the Metropolitan Branch Trail. The Fort Totten section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail will connect from where it currently ends on John McCormack Drive in Brookland, to the Fort Totten Metro Station.

“This is the next major milestone in the District’s commitment to completing the construction of the Metropolitan Branch Trail,” said Leif Dormsjo, DDOT Director. “A design-build approach will help us engage the creativity of the construction community to bring their ideas to the final design and construction.”

The Metropolitan Branch Trail is an 8-mile multi-use trail that connects Union Station in the District of Columbia to Silver Spring Maryland. The new trail will provide a direct off-street route for bicyclists and pedestrians through the Fort Totten area.

The trail will include LED lighting, security cameras, and wayfinding signage.

The design-build process will allow for a streamlined final design and construction process. The extension is expected to be complete within 18 months of awarding the contract.

Design for this section required support from DDOT’s partners at the National Park Service and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Administration.

This initiative complements other investments DDOT is making for the Met Branch Trail. In 2016, DDOT completed 30% design for the Fort Totten to Takoma section of the trail and will soon initiate final design on the final segment of the trail connecting Fort Totten to Takoma and the Maryland border.

In 2017, DDOT will replace lighting on the Met Branch Trail between Florida Ave and Franklin Street with new hard-wired LED lights. The NoMa Business Improvement District, in partnership with DDOT, recently added signage on the trail bridge over Florida Avenue to raise awareness of the trail.

There are also several exciting real estate development projects on the southern portion of the trail that will improve connections from surrounding communities as they build out.

The Met Branch Trail is part of DDOT’s efforts to expand and improve trails within the District of Columbia and connect to the regional trail network, including the recent completion of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail – Kenilworth Section.”