At ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher’s 5A08 single member district (SMD) meeting on September 21, 2021, the National Park Service (NPS) provided more information about the need to halt construction on the long-awaited formal pedestrian path between Gallatin and Galloway streets NE that is supposed to connect North Michigan Park to Fort Totten Metro station.
The upshot is that as the construction team removed soil from the site, they encountered infrastructure that they and Metro believe is for the green line tunnel at Fort Totten Metro station. NPS is now working with Metro to find a more suitable location to build the pedestrian path away from Metro’s infrastructure. In response to a question about whether they believe that they will need to move the path significantly further east towards South Dakota Avenue, potentially making the path unnecessary because then people could just use South Dakota Avenue, NPS responded that they hope not. In response to a question about whether they believe they will run into the same issue regarding construction of a sidewalk on the south side of Galloway Street NE between South Dakota Avenue and 4th Street NE, NPS responded they hope not. With respect to the sidewalk, NPS stated that project is still in the design phase and that DDOT just transferred money received from the Federal Highway Administration for the project (NPS also stated this back in April 2021, so not quite sure what it means to say that DDOT just transferred the money).
NPS also stated they hoped to remove the fallen tree on the detour path by the end of September. Any issues with the detour path can be sent to nick_bartolomeo@nps.gov and kym_elder@nps.gov.
NPS did not provide a new timeline for getting the pedestrian path constructed. Metro is cooperating with NPS. NPS said it will take time to redesign the trail. Once the trail is redesigned, it will have to clear stormwater management review with the District Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE).
At the full ANC meeting on September 22, 2021, ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) informed Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) that residents are frustrated by yet another delay. Congresswoman Norton responded that this path has been delayed too long. Not exactly clear what her office will do about it. Commissioner Fletcher stated that he will invite NPS to ANC 5A’s October meeting.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
Hi,
If I did not know better, this sounds like the comedy routine “Who’s on First” where everyone is dumbfounded as to what player is where on the baseball field. It is hard to believe that NPS would start a major construction project over a Green Line tunnel without input from WMATA. But stranger things have happened.
Please note that the Fort Totten Metro station opened on February 6, 1978, well over 40 years ago! So, where have our past and present elected leaders, at all levels, been all these years?
Note: Please check out the old Abbott and Costello routine on YouTube.
I agree. It’s insane how poor planning has been. I mean, it’s taking YEARS to construct a foot path?!?!
To be fair, the first delay was caused by an unexploded ordinance.
I think the common sense option would be to have the partially completed much wider, flatter trail go back to being the temporary trail. Rather than clearing the tree from that completely dark mudslide footpath.
I assume the unexploded ordinance has been removed?
Yes
Hi, we really need this pedestrian path to open. We use it for our children to bike to school and this closure has been very disrupting.