The purpose of this blog is to document events and compile information related to the Patuxent Branch Trail Extension, T7107.

The Patuxent Branch Trail Extension is a proposed initiative to install a 10 foot wide multi-use pathway along the sewer line adjacent to the Little Patxuent River from downtown Columbia to Savage Park. This 2.8 mile paved trail will travel through the neighborhood of Allview Estates.

The trail extension is part of the Connecting Columbia Action Agenda and is coordinated by the Columbia Association in partnership with the County's Master Bicycle Plan initiative.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Another viable alternative?

I received this graphic of an alternative to the proposed pathway in my inbox a couple days ago:

Let me see if I can outline its features.
  • Bikers/walkers would travel east from the lakefront area over route 29 using the existing pedestrian bridge.
  • A new pathway would be installed from the east end of the pedestrian bridge south along 29 to the interchange with Brokenland Parkway.
  • The new pathway would travel under Brokenland Parkway and Stevens Forest Road along the east side of the Little Patuxent River.  There is also the option for the path to travel over Stevens Forest Road using a newly constructed pedestrian bike bridge.
  • From there, the path would travel behind the office parks on Brokenland Parkway and connect with the existing trail system to Lake Elkhorn and Savage.  
  • This alternative also shows optional connectors to Stephens Forest Road and Allview Drive in pink.
From what I can tell, this alternative solves the following problems:
  • Lack of clearance for a path to travel under route 29:  this proposal takes users over 29 using the existing pedestrian bridge.
  • Safety concerns for a trail going under Stevens Forest Road:  this alternative includes an optional foot bridge over, instead.
  • Unsuitable conditions for a pathway along the west side of the Little Patuxent River in Allview Estates:  in this proposed location, the path would be installed at a higher elevation and at a greater distance from the river than is possible on the east side, and it would not have to traverse a permanently underwater and highly flood-prone wetland area.
It also addresses the issues of building over the sewer line, reduced privacy for Allview residents living along the river, and potential added crime and traffic to an otherwise quiet neighborhood.

A note about the optional connectors in pink:  the one shown at the end of Allview Drive (marked dead end) likely requires traversing private property, so I'm not convinced that is even an option.  Nevertheless, I appreciate the time and effort put into this alternative!

Edited to add:  here's another graphic that was sent to me of this option.
 

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