Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT)

There's someone I'd like you to meet...join Rails-to-Trails, WABA, Phoenix Bikes, and more for National Trail Day on the Metropolitan Branch Trail.

Over 20 years removed from its original conception, the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) and its ardent supporters have finally cut the ribbon. Since much ink has been spilled over this Washington DC trail (see WashCycle) - let us be brief with this introduction: the Met Branch Trail is a game-changing accomplishment.

MBT sign on 2nd Ave. NE

View the Metropolitan Branch Trail Slideshow on Flickr

Trail Profile

The trail extends from Union Station (south) to Silver Spring (north) passing through some of Northeast DC's most vibrant and diverse communities. Not familiar with NoMa, Eckington, Brookland, and the like? The MBT is your chance to change that.

Open this map and browse through the trail images on the MBT home page as you follow along with our trail profile.

Union Station to L St.

Trail Description: Wide sidewalk; steps leading up to trail from L Street
Metro Access: Union Station
Neighborhood(s): Capitol Hill
Attractions/Food: Bikestation Washington DC (video); Ebeneezer Coffee House

L St. NE to Franklin St. NE

Trail Description: Continuous off-road trail (no at-grade road crossings) adjacent to Metro/CSX tracks; solar-powered LED lighting
Metro Access: New York Ave-Florida Ave-Galludet University; Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood (future bicycle/pedestrian bridge from trail)
Neighborhood(s): NoMa > Eckington > Edgewood
Attractions/Food: View of the Capitol Building (Image); Pound Coffee; Pocket park at 4th St. NE / S St. NE; "From Edgewood to the End of the World" mural (Image); DC Prep Academy urban garden (future)

Solar LED lights lining the Met Branch Trail

Franklin St. NE to Fort Totten Dr.

Trail Description: On-road (8th St. NE) with busy crossing at Monroe St.; at Brookland-CUA metro station, wide sidewalk trail adjacent to John McCormack Dr.; hill climb to Fort Totten Dr.
Metro Access: Brookland-CUA
Neighborhood(s): Brookland
Attractions/Food: Dance Place and future ArtSpace complex; Colonel Brooks' Tavern; Catholic University Basilica (Image)

Fort Totten Dr. to Takoma Metro Station

Trail Description: On-road - busy city streets lacking bike lanes (Fort Totten Dr., Gallatin St. NW); dedicated bike lane on 3rd St. NW
Metro Access: Fort Totten (via path connecting to 1st Pl. NE); Takoma
Neighborhood(s): Fort Totten > Takoma
Attractions/Food: Fort Totten Park (part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington); Andrene's Caribbean & Soul Food; Takoma Recreation Center

Takoma Metro Station to Silver Spring

Trail Description: Off-road trail along Takoma Ave.; current trail ends at Fenton St. / Route 410 intersection
Metro Access: Takoma Park; Silver Spring (future trail extension)
Neighborhoods: Takoma Park > Silver Spring
Attractions/Food: Takoma Park Historic District; The Organic Falafel Stand; Jesup Blair Park (pedestrian bridge links to trail) 

Trail Future

While much has been accomplished, significant work lies ahead. Until several key components can fall into place, the "bicycle beltway" remains a vision rather than a reality.

Here's what lies ahead for the Metropolitan Branch Trail:

• Montgomery County extension of the trail to Silver Spring Transit Center
• Connection with future Capital Crescent Trail - best chronicled by Silver Spring Trails
• Prince George's County Connector Trail to the Northwest Branch Trail (part of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System)
• Fort Totten metro station access

As Rails-to-Trails notes, trail construction is just one part of the equation: "Although construction on this section of trail is nearing completion, the work is just beginning for many who live in the surrounding neighborhoods..."

Cyclist rides along the Met Branch Trail

Trail Stewardship

The brand new MBT resembles a blank slate - the surrounding communities and Washington DC trail users at large have the opportunity to nurture and mold this one-time neglected graffiti corridor into something trans-formative. That process is happening now.

• 6/5/10 - Meet the Met: While many bike commuters may already be familiar with the trail, this National Trails Day event is designed to give the local community a chance to learn about the trail and celebrate it. Subscribe to the Met Branch email list for updates.

• Adopt-the-Trail: While not a formal program, Rails-to-Trails is in the process of forging stewardship partnerships with local organizations. Contact Kelly Pack (kellyp[at]railstotrails.org) for more information.

• Tree Plantings and Urban Gardening: To make the trail corridor more inviting, Casey Trees and the DC Prep Edgewood campus are moving forward with plans to plant trail-side trees and create an urban garden. Both initiatives will need volunteers - again, the RTC Blog is your best source for volunteer announcements.

Allow us now to return to our original thesis - how exactly is the Met Branch Trail a game-changer? In several key aspects, the MBT changes our ingrained concept of a trail:

1. It's a trail with rail. Convenient metro access was (and still is) a driving principle.
2. It serves a neglected urban community. Well-maintained trails should no longer be for wealthy neighborhoods only.
3. It provides a transportation option. Yes, we realize that this fact is not unique to the MBT. However, in our opinion, this trail makes the region's strongest case yet for Active Community Transportation Act proponents.

Whether you agree or disagree with our conclusions, the MBT is certainly worth a ride.

Location / Directions: Union Station, Washington DC
Trail Distance: 8.25 miles, Union Station to Silver Spring
Surface / Difficulty: Paved; Easy
Trail Map: Metropolitan Branch Trail Map
Administration: District Department of Transportation
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter

Image Credit: Met Branch Trail Cyclist image courtesy East Coast Greenway

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