2006 CWL #9 - Met Branch extension to Rock Creek

I first threw this idea out when I learned that Kensington, MD was trying to make their town more bikeable and walkable. Sure, it seems silly to talk about extending a trail that's only 20% finished and having all kinds of trouble making progress, but if the Met Branch is truly to be a transportation corridor, it would be a good idea to look at extending it north from Silver Spring. Continuing the trail north along the Metropolitan Branch rail line is the best logical route.

Passing over the Beltway, the ~3 mile route would pass through Forrest Glen and Kensington before reaching the Rock Creek Trail. Silver Spring is the last eastern red line Metro station along the Met Branch (Twinbrook on the western end picks it up again) so the trail would be a natural commuter route.

The townspeople of Kensington would be the main beneficiaries of this. Right now the town is bypassed by the Rock Creek Park trail; but a Met Branch extension would provide:

1. a new linear park
2. an opportunity to create a great new public space
3. a direct connection to three popular trails
4. a transportation alternative to MARC
5. an economic engine (give people a place to eat and drink outside and they'll stop)

And when they're done with that, it's only 2.5 miles to the Twinbrook metro. (Pictured is the new Allegheny Highlands Trail - and yes, trains run that close to the trail.)

Comments

[Wayne Phyillaier]

Extending the MetBranch 3.5 miles from Silver Spring to Kensington would be great. The first 1.0 mile is the identical route as the proposed future Capital Crescent Trail, and would connect the CCT into Silver Spring.

The major fly in the ointment is CSX. The trail would need an easement in the CSX right-of-way in several crucial places, and CSX has clearly said "no way" for a trail alone. Railroads are protected by federal law from state and local governments "taking" an easement. But CSX has indicated it will cooperate with a joint transit/trail easement if the Purple Line is built.
This MetBranch trail extension to Kensington, and completion of the Capital Crescent Trail, both ride on the future of the Purple Line.