Maryland-National Capital Trail Network Receiving $25 Million for Major Construction, Safety Improvement Projects

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) announced $25 million for the Creating Equitable Connections on the Capital Trails Network project in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties and Washington D.C.

The federal funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, which was first established through the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

The federal dollars announced today will be used to repair eight miles of some of the oldest existing trails, construct six new paths spanning seven miles and improve safety at major intersections and at-grade crossings. Once completed, the project will provide alternative commuting options for an estimated 53,000 people, add four new trail connections to Metrorail stations and fill major gaps in the regional trail network.

“Bike and pedestrian trails are a vital part of our transportation infrastructure, helping to connect people and neighborhoods throughout our region. This federal grant for the Capital Trails Network recognizes the increasing demand for new ways to travel and commute safely and effectively by walking, biking and taking public transportation,” said the lawmakers. “This project is an example of how we’re investing in Maryland’s transportation network through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to advance our shared safety, sustainability and equity goals.”

The lawmakers worked to authorize the RAISE Grant Program at $7.5 billion over five years in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, otherwise known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For fiscal year 2023, a combined $2.3 billion in funds from the IIJA and annual appropriations for FY23 were made available through the RAISE Grant Program to support major transportation projects nationwide.