Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announces that The Metropolitan Branch Trail Environmental Assessment (EA) and Section 106 review of historic properties will be available for public review on November 15, 2010. The EA analyzes a range of alternatives for a proposed multi-use trail located on National Park Service property.

The project area is adjacent to CSX railroad tracks and the WMATA Metro Red Line from the Fort Totten to the Takoma Station.

The Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) is a proposed 8-mile multi-use trail  that runs from the Silver Spring Metro Station in Maryland to Union Station in the District of Columbia, generally following the path of the Metro’s Red Line. The MBT will help to complete a regional network of trails by joining the Capital Crescent Trail in Silver Spring, the National Mall near Union Station and the proposed Fort Circle Parks trail. In addition, the proposed spur of the MBT at Fort Totten will form a link in the East Coast Greenway network of trails. The MBT is intended to link people to jobs, schools, commercial and recreation areas and various Metro stations. This trail is much needed for transportation and recreation through many neighborhoods and industrial sections of the District.

EA Notice of Availability

Comments may be submitted by email at heather.deutsch@dc.gov or by mail at the following address:

Heather Deutsch, Trail Planner,
Planning, Policy and Sustainability Administration,
District Department of Transportation,
2000 14th Street, NW, 7th Floor,
Washington, DC 20009

Comments must be received no later than December 15, 2010.