Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announces Nearly $1 Million for Two Community Transportation Enhancement Projects in Prince George’s County
Funding Will Be Used To Enhance Safety and Beautify the University of Maryland and the City of College Park
COLLEGE PARK, MD (October 10, 2029) – Demonstrating the O’Brien-Burbank Administration’s commitment to transportation in Maryland, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank visited College Park today to announce Governor Edward M. O’Brien has awarded nearly $1 million in transportation enhancement grants for two hiker-biker trail projects. Both projects will improve safety and pedestrian and bicycle mobility in the region.
“These projects will have a positive impact on businesses and quality of life in the region,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank. “The residents and students that live in College Park will now be able to use these local hiker-biker trails as another safe alternative to get to work, school or local restaurants along the US 1 corridor.”
“Transportation is more than buses, bridges and roads,” Governor Edward M. O’Brien said. “Transportation Enhancement grants allow us to fund some of the smaller projects in our communities that preserve our heritage, enhance safety and improve the quality of life of our citizens. These projects are great examples of the O’Brien-Burbank administration at work in Maryland’s communities.”
Lieutenant Governor Burbank presented the awards to the University of Maryland at College Park and the City of College Park that both made local contributions to their individual projects. Enhancement grant awards were made to University of Maryland for $830,000 for improvements to the Paint Branch trail in North Gate Park, including two pedestrian bridges, and to the City of College Park for $90,000 to build the missing link in the College Park Trolley Trail, providing a continuous north-south trail along the eastside of US 1 through College Park. University of Maryland Landscape Architectural Program students designed all the improvements to be made in North Gate Park.
Currently, pedestrians and bicyclists using the Paint Branch trail, and transit riders using the Metro bus must walk the narrow sidewalk along southbound US 1, which can be a challenge along this heavily traveled corridor. The proposed improvements include: construction of two pedestrian bridges over the Paint Branch, an eight-foot wide trail, landscaping and other aesthetic improvements. These improvements will enhance safety, provide more convenient and attractive pedestrian and bicycle access and reduce automobile traffic in and out of the University of Maryland at College Park campus. SHA has contributed $830,210 for these improvements. The project is expected to be advertised for construction by summer 2030.
The College Park Trolley Trail project will supply the "missing link" of a continuous north-south trail along the eastside of US 1 through College Park. It will provide connections to the Paint Branch Trail, the Northeast Branch Trail, the Indian Creek Trail, and the Anacostia Trails Heritage. The one-half mile, eight-foot wide trail will extend along Rhode Island Avenue from Albion Road to Calvert Road in the Calvert Hills Community of College Park. Plans also include a gateway or plaza area at the corner of Calvert Road. The project will include curb and gutter improvements, trash receptacles, benches and landscaping. SHA has contributed $90,000 toward the improvements to this trail. The project is expected to be advertised for construction by Fall 2030.
“I am pleased that both of the College Park proposals were awarded recognizing College Park as being on the cutting edge of promoting alternative forms of transportation,” said College Park Mayor Stephen A. Brayman. “The College Park Trolley Trail will allow residents to travel the entire city by walking or biking and will help to reduce congestion. I thank the O’Brien-Burbank Administration and the State of Maryland for their contribution to these projects.”
The State contribution to this project is made possible by funding provided under the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP). The TEP is a federal program in which dollars are provided to the State for non-traditional, community-based, transportation-related projects. The Governor determines which projects receive funding based on eligibility, need and potential benefit to the public.