HANOVER, MD - Governor Martin O'Malley today announced the start of construction on a key trail project in Prince George's County that is identified as a priority under Maryland's first Statewide trails plan - Maryland Trails: A Greener Way to Go. Working together as partners on the two-mile Anacostia Trail, the State and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) in Prince George's County will deliver the first of eight key missing trail links in Maryland's transportation trail network.
"Together, as partners, we are creating true transportation options to get residents where they need to go without ever having to get into their cars," said Governor O'Malley. "By providing this one missing trail link, the State is connecting people to neighborhoods, Metro stations, parks, the University of Maryland, several schools, an airport, the Washington Nationals' Stadium and the National Mall at the Tidal Basin."
This Prince George's County trail is the final link that will join 24 miles of Maryland's trail network along the Anacostia River Tributary System with the 16 miles of trails planned along the District of Columbia's Anacostia River Trail Network. Funding for the $1.3 million trail is being provided as part of the Maryland Department of Transportation's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program that funds projects to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in Maryland.
"This important trail segment will provide the citizens of Prince George's County with a vital transportation option as well as enhanced recreational and leisure opportunities," said Samuel J. Parker, Jr., M-NCPPC Chairman. "We are honored to partner with the State of Maryland in completing this vital link in the statewide, countywide, and regional transportation trail network."
The new Anacostia Trail link will connect Bladensburg's Waterfront Park to the Maryland / District of Columbia Line and to the District's Anacostia Trail system. The trail also will link into Maryland's $8.5 million Anacostia Wetland Mitigation project that was part of the $2.4 billion Woodrow Wilson Bridge project. The 50-acre mitigation project is among the largest and most complex as it involves removal of more than 20 acres of landfill material, requiring extensive, additional landfill studies and the creation of a new sealed landfill on site. Additionally, the project included: planting 85,000 wetland plants, reforesting 14 acres of land, creating 20 acres of tidal wetlands and preserving nearly four acres of habitat along the Anacostia River. This mitigation project, alone, increased the acreage of tidal wetlands in the Anacostia watershed by nearly 20 percent. These wetlands will provide many benefits including sediment and pollutant filters, aquatic habitat, flood control and opportunities for recreation and aesthetic appreciation.
The State Highway Administration assigned a 20 percent Minority Business Enterprise participation goal on this trail project. The winning bidder, HMF Paving Contractors, Inc., exceeded the goal with more than 21 percent MBE participation. The trail will be open to bicyclists and pedestrians by the end of the calendar year.
Maryland's transportation trails are an important element of Governor O'Malley's Smart, Green and Growing Initiative. They present a unique opportunity to work toward many of our goals simultaneously. In addition to offering multi-modal transportation alternatives and providing environmental stewardship, these transportation trails: support expanded economic opportunity, provide access to a healthy lifestyle and encourage all Maryland citizens to make that vital connection to our natural environment.
For more information on the trails plan or to access the Statewide transportation trails inventory and interactive map, click on the tab "Trails in Maryland" on MDOT's trails website: http://www.marylandtransportation.com/Planning/Trails/index.html.
Contact:
Erin Henson
410-865-1028 |
