Contact (Media Only): Erik Linden (202) 671-2004 or Karyn LeBlanc (202) 671-3490

(Washington, DC) Emeka Moneme, Director of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today joined Councilmember Tommy Wells (Ward 6) to welcome East Coast Greenway trail cyclists who just completed a three-day ride of the trail from Baltimore to Annapolis to Washington, DC.

The bicyclists are promoting the “closing of gaps” on the trail as various jurisdictions work to build new trails to connect the greenway.

“Every day the District becomes more of a bicycling city,” said Moneme. “At DDOT we’re working hard to expand our trail network, create new options for bicycle parking and support bicyclists throughout the city.”

DDOT is working to close those gaps with several projects currently underway and on the horizon.

These efforts include the re-design of Union Station Columbus Circle/Plaza to create safer pedestrian access and better traffic flow at this busy center. The redesign includes construction of the Metropolitan Branch Trail near the plaza.

DDOT is scheduled to start construction of the next section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) this fall.

This one mile section of trail will allow bikers and pedestrians to bypass a number of busy streets and eventually bring them to Union Station. The MBT is the main East Coast Greenway link through the District.

Also planned at Union Station is the DDOT Bike Station*. This new building— a “nerve center” for biking in the area—will provide 150 indoor parking spaces, bike rentals, repairs and bike retail. The Bike Station is under design and construction is planned to start this Fall/Winter.

“This is a perfect location for this hub of multi-modal transportation with pedestrians, bikes, autos, buses, and trains,” said Moneme. “It will serve well as a major stopping point along the East Coast Greenway,” said Moneme.