Critical Section of Metropolitan Branch Trail to be Built

Pepco is donating land to the District to complete a critical section of a new bike trail in the northeast section of the city, it was jointly announced today by Pepco and the District Department of Transportation.

DDOT said the gift from Pepco will allow it to immediately begin the design of the Metropolitan Branch Trail section between New York Avenue, NE and Franklin Street, NE. Construction will follow and is anticipated to be completed by summer 2009. The construction of this critical portion will link various independent sections into a three-mile stretch of continuous trail.

"This is a critical step for construction on one of our most important trail projects. DDOT is extremely pleased to finally reach this agreement," said DDOT Director Emeka Moneme. "The Metropolitan Branch Trail will connect kids to schools, people to their jobs, provide for a place to recreate as well as act as a transportation corridor which will help to reduce energy consumption in the city."

"This land donation furthers Pepco's commitment to the District, its residents and the environment," said Pepco Region President, Thomas Graham, who noted the land is adjacent to a new substation which is partially powered by solar panels."

The property, valued at $3.3 million, will enable the bike trail to directly access the New York Avenue Metro station and a new bicycle/pedestrian bridge (currently under design) over the railroad tracks connecting the trail to the Rhode Island Metro station.

The Metropolitan Branch Trail is a planned seven-mile pathway for bicycle riders and pedestrians between Union Station and Takoma Park, MD. The new section will take users over Florida Avenue and under New York Avenue and over Rhode Island Avenue, avoiding eighteen lanes of heavily traveled roadway.

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Pepco, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), delivers safe, reliable and affordable electric service to more than 750,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.