NPS Finalizes Agreement for Trail Reopening and Foundry Branch Trestle Bridge Removal

Washington - The National Park Service is taking the next step toward authorizing the demolition of the Foundry Branch streetcar bridge in Glover-Archbold Park.

On July 15, the NPS released the final Memorandum of Agreement for the proposed removal of the structure. The MOA will be available on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/foundrybranchbridge.

The structure, which is owned by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, spans federal parkland and is historically significant as the last remaining streetcar bridge in the District of Columbia. It is also a contributing resource to Glover-Archbold Park. Managed by the National Park Service's Rock Creek Park, Glover-Archbold Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the DC Inventory of Historic Sites.

Since 2014, feasibility and engineering studies have assessed whether the bridge could be adapted for uses such as a recreational trail. Despite these evaluations, the bridge remains in an extreme state of disrepair and poses a safety hazard. Conditions included in the National Park Service Special Use Permit will allow WMATA to temporarily use federal parkland to stage equipment and materials and to access the site.

After demolition, the area will be cleared of materials and replanted with native vegetation to support the park's natural environment. The historic Glover-Archbold Park trail that passes under the bridge will also be reopened after years of closure, reestablishing an important pedestrian connection and improving access to the park for visitors.

"Losing a historic structure like the trestle bridge is not something we take lightly. The NPS and its partners carefully explored every option to determine whether it could be safely restored, and removing the bridge is the only responsible path forward to protect visitors," said Brian Joyner, NPS Superintendent of Rock Creek Park. "We remain committed to honoring the site's history while restoring safe access for everyone who enjoys the park."

The MOA is a legally binding document that records the NPS's compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. It was developed in response to WMATA's application for a Special Use Permit to access federal parkland and remove the bridge. The agreement outlines the results of extensive consultation on the project and documents the adverse effects that demolition will have on the park's historic resources. It also identifies mitigation measures, including completion of historic property documentation, installation of interpretive signage, preservation of the concrete trestle footers, and landscape improvements.

When the agreement is finalized, the NPS will issue WMATA the Special Use Permit to enable them to remove the trestle and complete restoration work to reopen the trail. These actions support long-term visitor access, protect park resources, and ensure that Glover-Archbold Park remains a vibrant place for the community.

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