Rock Creek Multi-use Trail Rehabilitation Project

Computer generated image of new bridge that is planned to be installed near Zoo Tunnel in Rock Creek Park
Rendering of new multi-use trail bridge to be installed next to Beach Drive near the Duke Ellington (Calvert Street NW) Bridge.

NPS

 
 
Map showing temporary, weekday road closure on Beach Drive NW along with detour route for drivers.
Beach Drive temporary, weekday closures and detour route.

District Department of Transportation (DDOT)

What's new?

The National Park Service and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) jointly announced the start of work on the Rock Creek Trail in late March 2021. Read our announcement about upcoming changes to park access.

Work on the trail through Rose Park in Georgetown and the P Street Ramp was completed in March.

Repairwork on the trail between Shoreham Hill and P Street was completed in the summer of 2022 after an archeological study delayed work on the trail near Devil's Chair Bridge, extending the detour in that area. The trail reopened fully on June 24, 2022.

 

Work that is nearing completion

Bridge south of Zoo Tunnel

Railing and lights are being installed on the bridge and additional railings are currently being fabricated for the approaches to the bridge. Fencing and gates along the Zoo Loop Trail are being fabricated and installed which has delayed the opening of the trail. We are waiting to hear from DDOTDC on when the trail will be opened.

Piney Branch Parkway

Partial closures of the Piney Branch Parkway will begin on June 27th to allow for construction of the multi-use trail in this area. Additional closures will occur later in the summer of 2022 to build the 0.8 mile section of trail. The road will be closed into October of 2022.
 
Phases of work and project highlights on Rock Creek Park Map
Rock Creek Park Multi-use Trail Rehabilitation Project scope and highlights

District Department of Transportation (DDOT)

Project overview

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT), in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration and National Park Service, is rehabilitating and constructing multi-use trails in Rock Creek Park from M Street NW in Georgetown to Broad Branch Road NW.

The project will resurface large sections of the trail, widen parts of the trail (where environmentally feasible), simplify the trail path and road crossings, install new signs, and establish new connections to other trails in the area.

The project will:

  • Rehabiliate 3.7-miles of the paved Rock Creek Park Multi-use Trail from P Street NW to Broad Branch Road NW.

  • Construct 0.8 miles of new, paved, multi-use trail along the Piney Branch Parkway from Beach Drive to Arkansas Avenue NW.

  • Rehabilitate 0.4 miles of the paved, mutli-use Rose Park Trail from P Street NW to M Street NW; a 363-foot ramp connecting the Rose Park Trail to P Street NW.

  • Construct 0.2 miles of new, paved, multi-use trail from Broad Branch Road NW to Peirce Mill (referred to as the Peirce Mill Trail Spur).

Last updated: September 18, 2022

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

5200 Glover Rd, NW
Washington, DC 20015

Phone:

202 895-6000
Rock Creek Park's main phone line.

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