$568K For Pedestrian, Bike Bridge To Link Twinbrook To Rockville Pike

ROCKVILLE, MD — Maryland Congressional representatives and Rockville officials said $568,000 has been allocated from federal funds so the city can build a Twinbrook Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge to link to Rockville Pike.

The $568,000 will help Rockville design a pedestrian and bicycle crossing over the metro’s railroad tracks to both connect the Twinbrook Community to the commercial and retail businesses along Rockville Pike and connect residents along Rockville Pike to the outdoor recreation areas and community center in Twinbrook, a news release from Sen. Chris Van Hollen's office said.

The project addresses economic disparities that have historically disadvantaged Twinbrook, connecting the community to increased commercial activity along Rockville Pike, leaders said in a news release. Twinbrook Elementary School is the only Title I school in the city, and 70 percent of its students receive free or reduced-price meals.

The WMATA rail tracks separate the community from the economic activity along Rockville Pike, and Rockville Pike residents are also cut off from the parks, trails, and the community center in Twinbrook. This project aims to mitigate the longstanding impact of this infrastructure decision by providing a new, safer connection for pedestrians and bicyclists to nearby destinations.

“Planning for a Twinbrook pedestrian and bicycle bridge is a first step in addressing historical barriers and disparities,"said Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton, MPH. "The vision for the Twinbrook bridge goes beyond the structural plan. It has the opportunity to help reconnect our communities to services and economic opportunity, as well as improve pedestrian and bike safety."

The money was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and provided through the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant Program – an initiative the lawmakers fought to include in the Inflation Reduction Act. Last fall, the lawmakers wrote to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to support these federal funding requests.

“Senators Cardin and Van Hollen and I fought hard to pass President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin. “These two historic and ambitious laws are bringing federal investments to communities in Maryland’s Eighth District and across the state, through initiatives like the Twinbrook Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge. This pathway will connect Eighth District communities, broaden commercial and recreational opportunities and encourage safe bike and pedestrian transit — advancing a bold, equitable and green vision for Montgomery County’s future.”