By Gavin Baker (Contributor)

The Metropolitan Branch Trail is a multiuse path for people to walk, bike, jog, and scoot. The trail is being built in stages between Washington Union Station and Silver Spring, roughly parallel to the Metropolitan Branch railroad tracks and the Metrorail Red Line. The trail’s Brookland to Fort Totten section opened in 2022.

The next section under construction is the Fort Totten to Takoma segment. Construction started last year and is expected to continue through 2025.

The asphalt is now open north from the Fort Totten trailhead along 1st Place NE and west along Riggs Road to 1st Street NE. There will probably be some finishing touches, such as striping, when all is said and done, but it’s open for use now.