Government of the District of Columbia Department of Transportation

1. Metropolitan Branch – Project Report

A. Project Manager Michael Alvino Bicycle Program Specialist – District Department of Transportation [email protected] 202-671-1321

B. Narrative Description of the Project

This next phase of completing the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) is the trail at the Fort Totten Metro Station. The project will extend the MBT north from its current terminus in Brookland to the Fort Totten Metro Station.

The trail will extend from John McCormack Drive, following the red line between the Fort Totten Waste Transfer Station, Aggregate Industries Cement Plant, and over the Metro Green Line tunnel to connect to the Fort Totten Metro Station at First Place NE. The project includes 3800 linear feet of new asphalt multi-use trail, and will rehabilitate the existing trail spur between the Metro Station at Gallatin Street NE. The new trail will include LED lighting, security cameras, and wayfinding signage. The trail will meet the District Department of Energy and Environment Storm water Management Requirements through the use of bio-retention and permeable pavement.

This trail alignment was selected in the Metropolitan Branch Trail Environmental Assessment completed by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in partnership with the (NPS) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in 2011. In addition to the trail plans, we have included a bird’s eye perspective of the trail and renderings of the proposed retaining wall at the Fort Totten Metro Station.

This project includes the southern section of trail evaluated in the Environmental Assessment, between John McCormack Drive NE and First Place NE. The subsequent segments of trail to the north, from First Place NE to Eastern Ave NE, are anticipated to be designed and constructed separately from this project.

This project will close a critical gap in the MBT, extending the trail to the north and connecting the Brookland Metro station to the Fort Totten Metro station. When completed, the MBT, will be an 8-mile trail that runs from Union Station in the District of Columbia to Silver Spring in . Following the Metropolitan Branch Line of the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad, the trail passes through numerous vibrant and historic neighborhoods as well as connecting to the . The MBT is an important transportation route providing connections to homes, work and play as well as access to seven Metro stations. Current plans include connections to the area’s trail network such as the Capital Crescent Trail, Anacostia Trails System, and integration into the . This project is a priority project 1 for the proposed Capital Trails Network, a vision of high quality trails connecting throughout the Washington D.C. region.

C. Total Area of Site and Use The new 10 - 11 foot wide multi-use trail will be 3800 linear feet.

D. Area of Building and Site Coverage NA

E. Existing Assigned Employment NA

F. Relationship to Agency Master Plan The Metropolitan Branch Trail is included in the District of Columbia’s Multimodal Long-Range Transportation Plan, MoveDC as a Tier 1 (highest priority) capital project. It is included in the MWCOG Transportation Improvement Program as item 3228.

G. Status of Coordination with affected local and state governments The Met Branch Trail project at Fort Totten has been closely coordinated with the National Park Service , and National Capital Region, WMATA, and CSX Railroad. The 2011 Environmental Assessment was produced in partnership with NPS and WMATA. The project has been reviewed by staff at Rock Creek Park and WMATA, and DDOT has incorporated their comments into the design. The project was recently approved by the Commission on Fine Arts.

H. Status of Community Participation A summary of public input from the design phase in 2015 is attached. Additional public comments were received through the EA process.

I. Schedule for Construction This project is in anticipated for Design-Build Procurement in Spring of 2017. Final design is expected to be completed in the summer and fall of 2017. Construction activities are anticipated to be completed within 18 months of contract award.

J. Total Estimated Cost of Project and Funding Status Construction costs are fully funded through a combination of Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality and Recreational Trails Program funding. Construction costs are not publicly available due to the pending procurement.

K. Transportation Management Program NA

2. Environmental Documentation

See attachments: A. Metropolitan Branch Trail Environmental Assessment, 2011 B. Metropolitan Branch Trail Finding of No Significant Impact, 2012

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3. Historic Preservation Documentation

See attachments: A. Request for consultation SHPO Letter 2010 B. “No Adverse Effect” SHPO Letter 2010 C. “No Adverse Effect” SHPO Letter 2016

4. Maps and Drawings

Vicinity Map:

Proposed Design- Build Construction

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See additional attachments: A. WMATA and NPS Property Handout B. Fort Totten Green Wall Rendering C. Fort Totten Bird’s Eye View Rendering D. A full set of 30% Design Plans are available for Download Here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ep1tqg9mjwtlsc5/MBT_Plans_RecordInfo_2016-August- 23.pdf?dl=0 Including but not limited to; a. Geometry Plans b. Existing Conditions c. Typical Section d. Trail Plans e. Trail Profiles f. Landscaping Plans g. Signage and Pavement Marking Plans h. Lighting Plans i. Retaining Wall Typical Sections j. Maintenance of Traffic Plans

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