Mayor Bowser Cuts Ribbon on New Fort Totten-Takoma Segment of the Metropolitan Branch Trail

(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser was joined by District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Sharon Kershbaum, trail users, and members of the community to cut the ribbon on the next key phase of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT), the segment connecting the neighborhoods of Fort Totten and Takoma.

"Expanding the MBT has been a priority since day one," said Mayor Bowser. "With the new Fort Totten to Takoma section, we're delivering on our promise to the community, expanding access to one of DC's favorite trails, and giving Washingtonians one more way to move around the city."

The newly completed segment provides 1.7 miles of north-south bicycle and pedestrian connectivity for the neighborhoods of Fort Totten, Takoma, Manor Park, Riggs Park, and adjacent communities-closing one of the final remaining gaps in the District's portion of the 8-mile regional trail corridor from Union Station to Silver Spring, Maryland. The trail section features enhanced design, including a wide paved multiuse surface, LED lighting, stormwater management facilities, way-finding signage, security cameras, and separated alignment from vehicle traffic.

"Delivering this segment between Fort Totten and Takoma represents a major achievement for DDOT," said DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum. "Working through constrained rights-of-way, steep terrain, utility coordination and multiple stakeholder partnerships, our team stayed focused on bringing a safe, high-quality trail to the residents and commuters of these neighborhoods."

The MBT regularly accommodates more than 5,000 users per day. For this Fort Totten-Takoma phase, DDOT worked closely with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the National Park Service, and adjacent property owners to secure real estate agreements, align utility relocation, and finalize design approvals. Design and construction investment for this segment totaled approximately $12 million. For more information about the project, visit mbt-forttotten-takoma.ddot.dc.gov.

Mayor Bowser remains dedicated to completing all segments of the MBT. The District completed the section between Brookland and Fort Totten in 2022, including a protected bike lane on 8th Street NW, and will start construction on the Takoma to Piney Branch section next year, closing the final gap in the DC portion of the trail.

Since 2015, the District has added 59 miles of bike lanes, including 36 miles of protected lanes. Additionally, over the past decade, the District has nearly doubled the number of Capital Bikeshare stations in the city, from 200 to 396 stations, and DC now has nearly 70 miles of trails for residents to enjoy.

The Mayor's FY26 Grow DC Budget includes $4.8 billion in major capital investments to maintain a safe and reliable transportation system, including $126 million for trails, $431 million for major bridge rehabilitation and replacement, and $527 million for local streets, sidewalks, alleys, and public spaces.

Mayor Bowser's transformative Growth Agenda for Washington, DC is focused on making it easier to do business in Washington, DC and keeping the city competitive in business attraction and retention. With tech incubators, grants for businesses moving to or growing their operations in DC, funds like the District Capitalized Revolving Fund Program, and bold investments like the deal to bring the Commanders home and build a stadium, housing, retail, entertainment and more on the RFK campus, the Mayor is working to ensure DC remains a great place to live, work and do business.

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