Cardin Announces $10 Million Grant to Complete Anancostia Regional Trail Network

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has given final approval of a $10 million grant to complete the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens section of the Anacostia Regional Trail Network. The project extends, for almost 4 miles, the bicycle and pedestrian trail south from the end of the Bladensburg Path (on the D.C. border and Prince George’s County, MD, along the east bank of the Anacostia River) to the existing path terminus under the Benning Road Bridge.

“The Anacostia River Trail Network provides the Greater Washington community with access to safe and attractive trails for bikers, hikers, runners and commuters to get around and travel among our region’s great neighborhoods,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.  “This segment is critical to connecting Maryland communities to our neighbors in the District of Columbia. It also will increase accessibility to transit stations and make it easier for Marylanders to use the trail as a way to bike to work.”

This segment of the trail will connect 60 miles of trails in Maryland and in the District Columbia. Within the District, the segment is part of the planned 20-mile Anacostia Riverwalk Trail that will connect 16 waterfront neighborhoods to the Anacostia River, including Southwest Waterfront, Nationals Park, Washington Navy Yard, RFK Stadium, National Arboretum, and other popular destinations. The Anacostia River Trail Network also connects numerous schools, businesses, libraries, museums, shopping centers and Metro and MARC transit stations.

The $15 million trail project is jointly funded by a $10 million U.S. Department of Transportation 2012 TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant, $3.5 million from the District of Columbia and $1.5 million from Maryland’s Cycle Maryland Bikeways Program.