Mayor Muriel Bowser and officials celebrated the opening of a new key segment of the Metropolitan Branch Trail today, bridging the gap between the neighborhoods of Fort Totten and Takoma, as reported by the Mayor of Washington D.C. The trail expansion, a long-standing commitment from Mayor Bowser, aims to give residents additional options for navigating across the city, enhancing the urban landscape for cyclists and pedestrians alike.
The Fort Totten to Takoma stretch adds 1.7 miles to the MBT, facilitating the north-south movement through multiple neighborhoods; the upgrades include LED lighting, improved stormwater management, and dedicated pathways separate from vehicle traffic, this segment overcame several challenges such as negotiating tight space and steep terrain and bringing together multiple agencies and stakeholders reported Sharon Kershbaum, director of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT).
Already counting more than 5,000 daily users, the MBT plays a significant part in DC's urban transit system. For the newly completed segment, DDOT collaborated with entities like the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the National Park Service and navigated real estate and utility hurdles to realize this $12 million project. Further efforts to close the remaining gaps in the trail include the upcoming construction of a section connecting Takoma to Piney Branch, set to begin next year, as detailed by the Mayor's announcement.
Since 2015, DC has nearly doubled its number of Capital Bikeshare stations and added 59 miles of bike lanes. The Mayor's FY26 Grow DC Budget includes $4.8 billion for initiatives supporting public spaces, infrastructure, tech incubators, business grants, and projects such as the new RFK Stadium.
