anchor Description
This project provides for the funding of the Capital Crescent trail, including the main trail from Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda to Silver Spring as a largely 12-foot-wide hard-surface hiker-biker path, connector paths at several locations, a new bridge over Connecticut Avenue, a new underpass beneath Jones Mill Road, a new tunnel beneath Wisconsin Avenue, supplemental landscaping and amenities, and lighting at trail junctions, underpasses, and other critical locations.
anchorEstimated Schedule
The surface trail is scheduled for construction in FY21. Construction of the tunnel under Wisconsin Avenue to start in FY25.
anchor Justification
This trail will be part of a larger system to enable non-motorized traffic in the Washington, DC region. This trail will connect to the existing Capital Crescent Trail from Bethesda to Georgetown, the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Silver Spring to Union Station, and the Rock Creek Bike Trail from northern Montgomery County to Georgetown. The trail will serve pedestrians, bicyclists, joggers, and skaters, and will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Bethesda CBD Sector Plan, and the Purple Line Functional Master Plan. The project will help the County achieve its Vision Zero goals to reduce deaths and serious injuries on County roadways to zero by 2030.
anchorFiscal Note
In March of 2021, the schedule was adjusted to shift funding from each year to the next year from FY21 through FY25 to further reflect the expected construction progress and estimated billing schedule based on the Purple Line's plan to re-solicit a new general contractor to complete the project. The current schedule for construction of the tunnel beneath Wisconsin Avenue is contingent on receiving $21 million in non-County funds for this purpose by FY25.
anchorDisclosures
A pedestrian impact analysis has been completed for this project.
The County Executive asserts that this project conforms to the requirement of relevant local plans, as required by the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act.
anchorCoordination
Maryland Transit Administration, Maryland Department of Transportation, State Highway Administration, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Bethesda Bikeway and Pedestrian Facilities, Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail, CSX Transportation, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Special Capital Projects Legislation [Bill No. 32-14] was adopted by Council by June 17, 2014.