Broadneck Trail First Phase Completion Pushed to September

The long-awaited opening of the first phase of the Broadneck Peninsula Trail will have to wait a little longer.

A .8 mile stretch of the trail, between Green Holly Drive and Cape St. Claire Road, should be completed by mid-September, according to Mark Garrity, spokesman for the Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks Department.

Over the summer, asphalt was paved over the trail and fencing began being installed for some portions of the trail. It may look done, but there is still work to be done, Garrity said.

Originally, the trail was expected to be completed in early 2013. But a series of delays since then have pushed its opening back until September. 

Garrity said the installation of crosswalk signals and additional fencing have held up construction over the past few weeks, but he was confident in at least a September soft opening of the trail, with a formal unveiling in the fall.

Some nearby Broadneck residents have already been walking the trail, despite signs warning of a construction area. Garrity said though parts of the trail appear complete, it is still considered a construction zone and warned residents against hopping on the trail before it is officially completed.

Once it is open, Garrity said he hopes residents will appreciate it and support future phases in the future.

"We're really hoping that when people get out on the trail, they'll like it and see where it could go from there. And then hopefully we'll get some public support to more forward," Garrity said.

Phase 2 of the trail is currently in the design stage. It is proposed to connect Green Holly Drive up to Bay Dale Drive, along the same side of College Parkway as the current trail. There is no proposed date for the completion of that stage, as construction has not yet been included in the budget.

Phases of the Broadneck Peninsula Trail

• Phase 1A—Green Holly Drive to College Parkway East (.87 miles)
• Phase 1B—College Parkway East to Bay Head Road (.80 miles)
• Phase 2—Bay Dale Drive to Green Holly Drive (1.24 miles)
• Phase 3—Peninsula Farm Road to Bay Dale Drive (2.47 miles)
• Phase 4—B&A Trail to Peninsula Farm Road (.48 miles)
• Phase 5—Bay Head Park to Sandy Point Park (2.48 miles