AATN Making Slow But Steady PROGRESS with activity at every gap

The Anne Arundel Trail Network (AATN) envisions a trail network connecting people on foot, wheels or assistive device with the places they need and want to go, both locally and regionally. The network utilizes numerous existing and planned trails and also identifies gaps to be filled with future trails. It is a shared vision of BikeAAA and the Anne Arundel County Bicycle Advisory Commission and is often referenced by county leadership. When it was launched, there were numerous gaps identified. We are pleased to report that virtually every place there is a gap, there is some level of activity underway – Study, Design or Construction. While pleased with this progress, we have also seen significant delays in moving projects through to completion. After several delays, we are hoping for important ribbon-cuttings in 2025 at the Patuxent River trail bridge that will join Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties existing WB&A trails and also the completion of the Broadneck Trail from the B&A Trail at Jones Station Rd. to Sandy Point State Park. Here is a map that identifies the gaps and shows the project stage.

Here is a brief update on these projects starting at the top and moving clockwise:

BWI to Baltimore – The existing trail spur to Linthicum will be extended to the Nursery Rd. Light Rail Station and then on to the Baltimore City line where we hope to connect to the city trail system.

Broadneck Trail – The final phases 3, 1b and 5 are in construction and should be completed in 2025 to connect from the B&A Trail to Sandy Point State Park.

Chesapeake Bay Crossing – There is a major study underway for a replacement of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge that includes consideration of a separated bike/ped lane that would connect the Broadneck Trail with Kent Island’s Cross island Trail. This is a long-term but iconic project.

B&A Trail to Annapolis – The section from the B&A Trail southern terminus to the USNA Bridge has bike lanes to Annapolis. Once crossing the bridge there are only roadways. A design project led by MD SHA is considering shared-use path (SUP) on the USNA Bridge, along 450 and part of King George St. and on Annapolis St to Taylor Ave. Separate projects would 1) continue from King George St. via the proposed College Creek Connector and 2) along Taylor Ave. to the existing trail at the USNA Stadium. There is also a planned project to consider SUP along Rt. 450 from Boulter’s Way to the USNA Bridge.

Greater Annapolis – The West – East Express (“WEE”) is a trail that would extend the existing Poplar Trail to Calvert St. in downtown Annapolis and west to Parole Town Center where it would connect to existing and planned SUPs in the town center and an existing sidepath to Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) for connection to the start of the South Shore Trail. There are other important trails envisioned in the Annapolis Bike Network.

South Shore Trail – There is an existing segment near AAMC and the Annapolis Mall and also Phase 1 in Millersville. Phase 2 just began construction from the west side of Rt. 3 to the existing trail along Odenton Rd. which connects to the WB&A trailhead in Odenton and the Odenton MARC Train Station. Phases 3 and 4 between Annapolis and Phase 1 are in design and will include an important connection to the Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park. A separate MD SHA project includes a trail alongside Rt. 3 from Waugh Chapel Rd to Rt. 175 and an improved crossing of Rt. 3 at Rt. 175.

WB&A Trail Patuxent Bridge – This vital connector will join app. 6 miles of existing WB&A Trail in each of Prince George’s and Ann Arundel Counties. It is near completion and opening is expected in the spring of 2025. Major national trails including the East Coast Greenway, American Discovery and Sept. 11 Memorial Trails will reroute to use the South Shore and WB&A Trails as soon as the bridge opens.

Odenton Trail Gaps – There are several gaps in the greater Odenton area. A gap on Bluestone Dr. is funded for construction and will connect existing trails along Town Center Blvd and a portion of Bluewater Dr. with the existing trail along Rt 175 bordering Ft. Meade. A gap along Milestone Parkway near Rt. 175 is in design and a trail connection from the Rt. 175 trail to the existing trail at National Business Pkwy is part of the construction of a new MDSHA 175/295 interchange improvement project.

BWI to Arundel Mills and Patapsco Park – MD SHA is studying a trail connection from existing SUP near Arundel Mills Mall to the BWI Trail. A separate project in design called the Stoney Run Connector will connect the BWI Trail at Stoney Run (south of the Amtrak Station) with the Patapsco Greenway and Patapsco State Park.

As you can see this is quite an ambitious plan that will connector numerous neighborhoods to a wide range of schools, parks, employment, transit, healthcare and other destinations as well as to adjoining trail networks in all 4 directions. You can help bring it to life by attending public meetings and expressing support. the best way to stay current is by getting on the BikeAAA email list and joining the BikeAAA Facebook Group.