SILVER SPRING – State transit officials, planning for the construction of the proposed Purple Line light rail system, have asked the Montgomery County Planning Board to weigh in on a preferred route and other details for the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT).
On Thursday, November 17, the Board will consider whether to recommend routing the popular trail through an existing tunnel beneath Wisconsin Avenue and above the Purple Line train. This would cost up to $40.5 million more than just accommodating the Purple Line trains in the tunnel.
The Board also will consider recommendations on trail landscaping and lighting, emergency call boxes and a connection to Rock Creek Trail, which the CCT intersects near Chevy Chase Lake. The Board’s recommendations will go the County Council for consideration, then on to the Maryland Transit Administration.
The trail route – and whether it continues to run through the tunnel – is of great interest to transit advocates and cycling enthusiasts. The CCT route and tunnel was designated years ago by planners as an interim use in preparation for a future transit line.
Transportation planners, who act in an advisory role to the Board, have suggested that more design work be conducted by state transit officials before a decision about the tunnel is made. Planners are recommending more analysis to determine costs to run the Purple Line alone through the tunnel as well as the cost of improvements to the surface trail.
However, if this analysis shows that the cost difference between the two options remains high, planners say routing the trail through the tunnel would be financially infeasible and the nearby surface trail should be redesigned to accommodate a larger volume of trail users. The redesign should improve safety, provide a crossing at Wisconsin Avenue that prioritizes trail users, and incorporate ways to separate trail users from the general public. Planners call for the formation of a working group to help develop the surface route design.
County transportation planners also recommend continuous lighting on the trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring, emergency call box locations to be selected in concert with local agencies such as Park Police and a connection to Rock Creek Trail in a “switchback” design to accommodate a steep grade change between the two trails. Landscaping should include benches and trash cans, appropriate plantings between the trail and neighborhoods and enhancements at light rail stations.
Download the staff report.
The Board will consider the item at approximately 9 a.m. Public testimony is limited to 1½ hours. Sign up to speak (at date prompt scroll to 11/17). Depending on the number of testifiers, Board Chair Françoise Carrier may restrict the time allotted each speaker. WHO:
Montgomery County Planning Board
WHAT:
Capital Crescent Trail Refinement
WHEN:
Thursday, November 17, approximately 9 a.m.
WHERE:
Park and Planning Headquarters
8787 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD
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