Cyclists, pedestrians, and runners in Maryland may soon benefit from enhanced trails and expanded pathways, courtesy of $11.3 million in grant funding.
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This funding is sourced from initiatives aimed at fostering alternatives to automotive transport and enhancing trail and bikeway infrastructures, as stated in a press release from the Maryland Department of Transportation issued on Tuesday. The funding consists of $9.3 million in federal resources and $2 million from the state budget.
Several of these initiatives will focus on enhancing bike paths and trails within the D.C. metropolitan area.
Among the six rehabilitation projects identified, a 20-mile segment of the C&O Canal towpath, located in Montgomery and Washington counties, will receive financial support from a $6.5 million grant. The Maryland transportation department has indicated that a portion of the funding will also be allocated for the development of active transportation facilities in Baltimore City, as well as in Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties.
Additionally, a trail in Montgomery County will undergo rehabilitation as part of a $2.8 million grant sourced from the Recreational Trails Program. This funding will be distributed across six projects aimed at replacing trail bridges and repairing boardwalks and paths.
The grant package also includes $2 million earmarked for bikeways, which will involve minor retrofit initiatives in Baltimore City, along with Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties. These enhancements are expected to facilitate smoother transitions from bike paths to major destinations. Crews will work on extending pathways and connecting trails in Edmonston and La Plata.
According to the announcement, these investments are intended to bolster the safety, accessibility, and connectivity of the transportation network.
“With these newly funded bicycle, pedestrian, and trail projects, Marylanders will have more options to commute, exercise, and make their way to school in a safe and efficient manner,” remarked Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson in a news release. “Creating new paths and linking existing ones together are crucial aspects of Maryland’s transportation future. This investment reflects our commitment to expanding the statewide trail network, enhancing sustainability, and providing greater choices for those who walk, bike, and roll.”
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