Speaking of Biking in CP
It appears that the Trolley Trail is making one major step towards becoming a viable (as well as safe) commuter and recreational route. According to an email sent from County Councilman Eric Olson to constituents, the county has allocated $200,000 of this year’s budget for pedestrian crossing improvements at the wildly dangerous crossing that the trail makes at Paint Branch Parkway. Presumably it could be similar to the ped-activated crossing of the Northwest Branch Trail at Queens Chapel Rd or one of any several kinds of modern crosswalk technologies (you decide).
Thanks to Mr. Olson for prioritizing this very important safety improvement in Upper Marlboro. Local groups have been seeking this for some time and it will be essential for pedestrian mobility not only all along the trail but to and from East Campus from North CP. There will be a meeting with engineers of the project on July 10th from 6:30 to 7:30pm in College Park City Hall to discuss design alternatives.
What’s next on the agenda for the Trolley Trail (map of full trail in orange)? There are plenty of other gaps to fill which provide real impediments to the trail becoming more heavily used (and even known about). Continuity and clear wayfinding are key to building a true cycling constituency. Take a look at the existing conditions:
(From North to South)
- Northern bike lane extension from Route 1 to Paducah Rd?
- Marked bike lane from Paducah Rd. to Greenbelt Rd.
- Dangerous crossing at Greenbelt Rd.
- Paved bike trail from Greenbelt Rd. to Berwyn House Rd.
- Residential street (sidewalk) from Berwyn House Rd to Pierce Ave.
- Paved Trail from Pierce Ave. to Paint Branch Pkwy.
- Dangerous crossing and sound barrier at Paint Branch Pkwy.
- Residential street (mostly sidewalk) from Paint Branch Pkwy. to Calvert Rd. (improvements planned)
- Paved bike trail from Calvert Rd. to Albion Rd.
- Dirt Trail from Albion Rd. (College Park) to Farragut St. (Hyattsville). (probable improvements from the Cafritz Redevelopment and already planned improvements from Phase II of the EYA Arts district)
- Sidewalk thereafter to Charles L’Armentrout Dr (intesersection with the Northwest Branch Trail)
Click here to view our interactive project map
