April 2009

Intercounty Connector Limited Functional Master Plan Amendment

B I K E WAYS AN D I NTE R C HAN G E S
APPROVED AND ADOPTED

M-NCPPC 1
 THE INTERCOUNTY CONNECTOR LIMITED FUNCTIONAL MASTER PLAN AMENDMENT
Bikeways and INterchanges

ABSTRACT
This Plan is a comprehensive amendment to the approved and adopted Master Plan of Highways within Montgomery
County and the approved and adopted 2005 Countywide Bikeways Functional Master Plan. It also amends the
approved and adopted 1998 Countywide Park Trails Plan, as amended, as well as On Wedges and Corridors, the
General Plan for the Maryland-Washington Regional District in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, as
amended.

It changes the alignment of certain segments of the shared-use path identified as SP-40 in the Countywide Bikeways
Functional Master Plan (CBFMP). It also alters the ICC roadway alignment and interchanges to reflect the selected
highway alternative now under construction. The proposed amendments to the CBFMP delete sections of SP
40 through the most environmentally sensitive portions of stream valley parks and the US 29 interchange. The
amendment also proposes changes to the Countywide Park Trails Plan to provide connections that serve recreational
and transportation purposes, including hiking and equestrian uses, in the Northwest Branch and Upper Paint
Branch Stream Valley Parks. Amendments to the Master Plan of Highways include adding a partial interchange at
Briggs Chaney Road, revising limits of Midcounty Highway and its interchange with the ICC, and revising the ICC
alignment to reflect Rock Creek Option C (with Olde Mill Run Grade Separation) and to reflect Northwest Branch
Option A.

SOURCE OF COPIES
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
8787 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3760
Available online at: http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/transportation/index.shtm

The Maryland-National Capital Park THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
and Planning Commission encourages
the involvement and participation of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is a bi-county agency created by the General Assembly of
Maryland in 1927. The Commission’s geographic authority extends to the great majority of Montgomery and Prince George’s
individuals with disabilities, and its
Counties; the Maryland-Washington Regional District (M-NCPPC planning jurisdiction) comprises 1,001 square miles, while the
facilities are accessible. For assistance Metropolitan District (parks) comprises 919 square miles, in the two counties.
with special needs (e.g., large print
materials, listening devices, sign The Commission is charged with preparing, adopting, and amending or extending On Wedges and Corridors, the general plan
language interpretation, etc.), please for the physical development of the Maryland-Washington Regional District.
contact the Community Outreach and
Media Relations Division, 301-495- The Commission operates in each county through Planning Boards appointed by the county government. The Boards are
4600 or TDD 301-495-1331. responsible for all local plans, zoning amendments, subdivision regulations, and administration of parks.

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APPROVED AND ADOPTED

Intercounty Connector Limited Functional Master Plan Amendment

BIKEWAYS AND INTERCHANGES

Prepared by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

October 2008

Approved by the Montgomery County Council

March 2009

Adopted by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

April 2009

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 CERTIFICATION OF APPROVAL AND ADOPTION

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A plan provides comprehensive recommendations for the use of publicly and privately owned land. Each plan
reflects a vision of the future that responds to the unique character of the local community within the context of a
Countywide perspective.

Together with relevant policies, plans should be referred to by public officials and private individuals when making
land use decisions.

THE PLAN PROCESS

The PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT PLAN is the formal proposal to amend an adopted master plan or sector plan.
Its recommendations are not necessar­ily those of the Planning Board; it is prepared for the purpose of receiving
public testimony. The Planning Board holds a public hearing and receives testimony, after which they hold public
worksessions to review the testimony and revise the Public Hearing Draft Plan as appropriate. When the Planning
Board’s changes are made, the document becomes the Planning Board Draft Plan.

The PLANNING BOARD DRAFT PLAN is the Board’s recommended Plan and reflects their revisions to the Public
Hearing Draft Plan. The Regional District Act requires the Planning Board to transmit a plan to the County Council
with copies to the County Executive who must, within sixty days, prepare and transmit a fiscal impact analysis of the
Planning Board Draft Plan to the County Council. The County Executive may also forward to the County Council
other comments and recommendations.

After receiving the Executive’s fiscal impact analysis and comments, the County Council holds a public hearing
to receive public testimony. After the hearing record is closed, the relevant Council committee holds public
worksessions to review the testimony and makes recommendations to the County Council. The Council holds its own
worksessions, then adopts a resolution approving the Planning Board Draft Plan, as revised.

After Council approval the plan is forwarded to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission for
adoption. Once adopted by the Commission, the plan officially amends the master plans, functional plans, and
sector plans cited in the Commissi­on’s adoption resolution.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
B A C K G R O U N D 9

Why a Limited Plan Amendment? 9

Purposes 9
Key Plan Objectives 11
Refined Objectives 11

I S S U E S , A N A L Y S I S, A N D R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S 13

Highway Elements 13
Bikeway Elements 15
Study Area A: Needwood Road and Vicinity 15
Study Area B: Emory Lane/Georgia Avenue and Vicinity 16
Study Area C: Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park and Vicinity 17
Study Area D: Upper Paint Branch Stream Valley Park and Vicinity 21
Study Area E: US 29 and Vicinity 23
County Bike Path—Before and After 25
Park Trails—Before and After 25

M A P S, T A B L E S

Map 1 ICC Corridor Study Areas 10

Map 2 Midcounty Highway Interchange 12
Map 3 Needwood Road and Vicinity, Emory Lane/Georgia Avenue 14
Map 4 Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park and Vicinity 18
Map 5 Upper Paint Branch Stream Valley Park, US 29 and Vicinity 20
Map 6 SP-40—Before and After 24

Table 1 Summary of Recommendations Affecting SP-40 22

APPENDIX

Acronyms and Definitions 26

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BACKGROUND
In May 2006, the Federal Highway Administration approved the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Intercounty
Connector (ICC), which established the highway’s alignment and interchange locations, and identified impacts and
mitigation measures. The ROD also recommended related master plan elements that would be implemented along
with the highway project, including parks, bikeways and sidewalks, particularly the seven miles of master planned
ICC shared use path (SP-40 in the Countywide Bikeways Functional Master Plan).

However, certain alignment and implementation decisions in the ROD are inconsistent with master plan guidance.
This ICC Limited Functional Master Plan Amendment (ICCLFMPA) amends County master plans to reflect the ROD
decisions. It also evaluates alternative alignments for the County bike path (CBP) along the ICC, in the context of
County agencies’ affirmation of Planning Board recommendations to remove the path from sensitive environmental
areas. The amendment analyzes the State’s alternative path routes along parallel roads and recommends changes to
master plans needed to upgrade or enhance the routes to meet the needs of all users.

Why A Limited Plan Amendment?

The ICCLFMPA will reconcile the ROD’s highway, bicycle, pedestrian, and pathway facilities with the related elements
in the County’s master plans. This report describes the history, vision, and prior master plan guidance for the
highway and path, including past decisions by the Planning Board, the County Council, and the Maryland
Department of Transportation that were incorporated in the ROD.

This amendment updates the Master Plan of Highways to modify the ICC alignment to reflect the ROD and to
establish interchange locations at Briggs Chaney Road and Midcounty Highway. It also evaluates cross-County
bikeways and trails in the ICC corridor to connect to destinations and fill in gaps, timing portions of the path to be
built with the highway project.

The interchange at Briggs Chaney Road is procedural. The ROD identified the interchange location and this
amendment affirms prior decisions. The interchange at Midcounty Highway must be studied further because the
selected ICC alignment used portions of the right-of-way intended for Midcounty Highway, and thus shifted the
location of a future interchange further north and west.

Purposes

This amendment:
• determines appropriate uses for master planned right-of-way not used by the highway project, with a particular
focus on evaluating parkland for future bikeways or trails
• proposes new alignment(s) for the master planned bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the ICC Corridor
• reconciles approved highway design elements with master plan guidance for interchange locations.

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 Map 1 ICC Corridor Study Areas

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The ICCLFMPA examines the Countywide Bikeways Functional Master Plan (CBFMP) and the Countywide Park Trails Plan (CPTP)
to clarify the County’s vision for bicycle and pedestrian mobility and access in the corridor, consistent with the Planning Board
request when planning staff presented the ICC Bikeways Implementation Strategy in January 2007.

Key Plan Objectives

HIGHWAY DESIGN AND ALIGNMENT

• Modify the Master Plan of Highways to identify the ROD’s selected alternative as the highway’s official master plan
alignment.
• Guide the design of the Midcounty Highway interchange (see map 2) and the related connection to Shady Grove Road.
• Affirm the Planning Board’s decision for no paved trails in sensitive environmental areas in parkland, particularly
o Rock Creek Option A (see map 3)
o Northwest Branch Option B (see map 4).
• Consider removing bikeway/trail alignment through Paint Branch Stream Valley Park from the master plan (see map 5).
• Identify Briggs Chaney Road as an ICC interchange (see map 5).
• Establish the new master planned alignment of the CBP (see map 6).

BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS AND MOBILITY

• Recommend policy changes to implement the State Highway Administration’s (SHA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (SHA Bike
Plan) (see map 1), to accommodate novice and family bicyclists, pedestrians, and other users along the route’s full length.
• Recommend policy changes to implement the CBP (SP-40) as a full-length, master planned shared-use path in the highway
right-of-way (see maps 1 and 6), or an equivalent alternative route of new paths or wide sidewalks along parallel highways,
arterials, and neighborhood streets that avoid environmentally sensitive areas, particularly in stream valley parks.
• Modify the CBFMP and the CPTP to ensure safe and efficient bicycle and pedestrian access to the SHA Bike Plan routes.

OTHER ISSUES
• Identify a funding mechanism through the Local Area Transportation Review that would permit private sector participation in
funding trail and path routes.
• Determine the feasibility of interim use by mountain bikers and equestrians of route segments adjacent to highway right-of-
way where the CBP will eventually be built.

Refined Objectives

The specific objectives above were shaped by four questions that emerged through community discussion during
public meetings in March and April 2008.
• Does the County agree with the State’s recommendations for routing the CBP along existing bikeways, sidewalks, and paths
as recommended in the SHA Bike Plan?
• What improvements are needed along these roads to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, and address the needs of all
potential user groups?
• Should trail routes through environmentally sensitive areas in parkland be removed from master plans?
• What related master plan amendments are required to achieve recommendations that result from the above questions?

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 Map 2 Midcounty Highway Interchange

Deleted CBP Alignment

ICC Construction

Midcounty Highway Ramps

Reserved for Interchange

Excluded from Interchange

Property Lines

Wetlands

Floodplains

Parks

SHA properties to be reserved for Special Protection Areas

Midcounty Highway interchange

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ISSUES, ANALYSIS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Highway Elements

This amendment adopts the three roadway options to the master plan alternative that were analyzed
in the DEIS and included in the ROD:

• Rock Creek Option C

• Northwest Branch Option A
• Briggs Chaney Road interchange

The Planning Board supported these options in their review of the DEIS in February 2005, as described below.

ROCK CREEK OPTION C

The DEIS compared two alignments within Rock Creek Stream Valley Park. One alignment followed the Mill Creek
tributary to Rock Creek. The second, called Option C, followed a route several hundred feet to the north and uses a
portion of the highway right-of-way reserved for the future Midcounty Highway (M-83) connection to the ICC. Option
C was selected to minimize impacts to the sensitive environmental areas.

The proposed southern extension of M-83 provides a direct connection between existing Midcounty Highway at
Shady Grove Road and points east along the ICC. In 1985 and 2004, the Upper Rock Creek Area Master Plan
identified two alignments for the portion of M-83 between Redland Road and the ICC. Rock Creek Option C also
reduces the length of the unbuilt portion of M-83 extended.

This amendment preserves right-of-way options for future M-83 ramp connections to the ICC. Map 2, based on
the ICC Final Environmental Impact Statement, identifies the new connection of M-83 to the ICC. The details in
the ICC FEIS indicated that three residential property displacements on Garrett Court in the Olde Mill Run community
would likely be required. The preservation of properties acquired by the State for ICC construction as shown in map
2 is needed to provide flexibility in future eastbound ramp design to avoid additional residential displacements.

This plan recommends:

• developing an alternative ramp alignment that avoids additional property displacements
• that all properties so designated on map 2 be considered part of the M-83 alignment right-of-way and subject to
property reservation policies pending completion of the alternative ramp design
• that the portion of the property located at the southwest corner of Garrett and Overhill Roads, as shown on map
2, is excluded from the reservation area for the future interchange for the ICC and Midcounty Highway.
• that the ICC right of way through Rock Creek Park and not used for the ICC Project (Rock Creek Option A) is
deleted from the Master Plan of Highways and all other pertinent master plans
• that the M-83 Alternate B right-of-way is deleted from the Master Plan of Highways and all other pertinent master
plans.

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 Map 3 Needwood Road and Vicinity, Emory Lane/Georgia Avenue

Interchange

Metro Station

SP-40 with Highway

SP-40
Deleted CBP Alignment

SHA Bike/Pedestrian
Deleted ICC Alignment

DB-40

ICC Alignment

Existing Bike Route

Proposed Bike Route

Park Hard Surface Trail

Park Natural Surface Trail

Proposed Highway
Rail Line

Wetlands

Floodplains

Parks

Special Protection Areas

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NO R T H W E S T B R A N C H O P T I O N A
The ICC DEIS compared two alignments within Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park. Even though Option B (the
master planned alignment) is shorter and straighter, Option A, which is more curvilinear and requires more
designated parkland, was chosen to minimize impacts on environmental resources. This amendment deletes the
old ICC right-of-way through Northwest Branch Park (Option B) from the Master Plan of Highways and all other
pertinent master plans.

BRIGGS CHANEY ROAD INTERCHANGE

The ROD includes a partial interchange at Briggs Chaney Road, which is not included in the Fairland Master Plan
This interchange includes ramps to and from the east along the ICC. A Briggs Chaney Road interchange is needed
to provide local business access to and from the east on the ICC because close interchange spacing precludes
these connections from occurring via US 29. This amendment adds the partial interchange to the Master Plan of
Highways and all other pertinent master plans.

Bikeway Elements

In master plans, the Countywide Bike Path is defined as a shared-use, off-road bicycle facility in the highway right-
of-way. The SHA Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan defines existing or proposed bicycle facilities—both off-road and on
road—that are recommended as alternatives to the Countywide Bike Path to avoid environmentally sensitive areas
and parkland impacts. Recognizing that the alternative doesn’t implement the master planned facility in the highway
right-of-way, the State has committed to work with the local governments to accelerate construction portions of the
SHA Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan in County master plans. This amendment’s revisions to the SHA Plan are
expected to provide a continuous shared-use path that meets the needs of novice and experienced bicyclists and
pedestrians.

For bikeway issues, the ICCLFMPA subdivided the study area into five subareas:
A. Needwood Road and Vicinity
B. Emory Lane/Georgia Avenue and Vicinity
C. Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park and Vicinity
D. Upper Paint Branch Stream Valley Park and Vicinity
E. US 29 and Vicinity

Study Area A: Needwood Road and Vicinity

ISSUES
• Connecting the ICC pathway west-terminus at Needwood Road with Midcounty Highway:
• along the current master plan route via the old ICC right-of-way through the park; or
• via new, shared-use paths along Needwood, Muncaster Mill and Shady Grove Roads, perhaps using
Applewood Lane to connect Muncaster Mill Road with the future ICC/Midcounty Highway interchange.

• Deciding whether to eliminate the master planned alignment through the park in favor of a parallel route to the
master planned highway alignment not selected in the ROD.

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 DISCUSSION
This CBP segment provides a critical pathway connection between the I-270 Corridor and Georgia Avenue
communities. The selected alternative highway alignment for this area—Rock Creek Option C—avoids
sensitive natural resources but does not accommodate the trail connection, primarily because the highway was
designed with a small footprint to avoid impacts to the Mill Creek communities. A bikeway connection across
the Rock Creek Main Stem is needed to link the up-County and down-County bikeway/pathway systems. An
independent hard surface trail within the old master plan alignment would add cost and cause the same
environmental impacts as the highway and should not be built. As a result, the County must find an alternative route
to connect the ICC pathway terminus at Needwood Road with the future shared use path along Midcounty Highway.

RECOMMENDATIONS
• Remove the CBP alignment along the old (Option A) ICC right-of-way between Needwood Road and Shady
Grove Road from the Countywide Bikeways Functional Master Plan.
• Designate a new route for SP-40 along Needwood Road, Muncaster Mill Road, Applewood Lane, and Midcounty
Highway connecting to Shady Grove Road. Designate a new shared use path along Muncaster Mill Road
between Needwood Road and Applewood Lane, effectively making this stretch of the road a dual bikeway
(proposed shared use path and proposed bike lanes) Applewood Lane is recommended as a new signed shared
roadway.
• Designate Muncaster Mill Road between Applewood Lane and Shady Grove Road as DB-40, a dual bikeway
(existing shared use path and proposed bike lanes).

Study Area B: Emory Lane/Georgia Avenue and Vicinity

ISSUES
• Providing a connection between CBP terminus at Emory Lane with Lake Frank and the Rock Creek Trail system
down-County, including a new shared use path along Emory Lane between the ICC and Muncaster Mill Road, as
well as along Muncaster Mill Road between Emory Lane and Meadowside Lane.

• Deciding whether to retain the master planned CBP segment along the ICC right-of-way between Emory Lane
and Georgia Avenue.

DISCUSSION
The connector between the CBP and Lake Frank is technically part of the master planned Rock Creek North Branch
Trail. The portion south of Muncaster Mill Road and also north of the ICC in the park is being studied during the
Department of Parks’ Upper Rock Creek Trail Corridor Master Plan. A portion of the park trail north of the ICC will be
built by the developer of Bowie Mill Estates.

A shared use path is planned for the segment along Emory Lane, and a segment has been constructed between
Georgia Avenue and Holly Ridge Lane. The remaining segment between Holly Ridge Road and Muncaster Mill Road
is unplanned. Bike lanes are master planned for Muncaster Mill Road in this area, so the trail connector along this
road between Emory Lane and Meadowside Lane would be a new master plan recommendation, which is assumed
to be part of the planned Rock Creek Trail.

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The CBP within the ICC right-of-way between Emory Lane and Georgia Avenue was not included in the ICC ROD, but
this amendment recommends retaining it in County master plans. Because the highway was not designed with the
pathway in this area, the ICC/Georgia Avenue interchange is not designed to provide a grade-separated crossing of
Georgia Avenue connecting to the trail on the east side of Georgia Avenue. In the short-term, a controlled crossing is
available at Emory Lane. Examining a new crossing is beyond the scope of this master plan amendment and should
be the subject of the facility planning study. Even without the grade-separated crossing of Georgia Avenue, the path is
valuable. It connects the future shared use path (SP-29) along the Georgia Avenue busway with the Rock Creek Trail
system and the CBP heading west. The current shared use path and shared roadway along MD 655 on the west side
of Georgia Avenue will be preserved and enhanced as part of ICC Contract A.

PRIOR DECISIONS
Both the Planning Board and the County Council recommended constructing the CBP with the highway between
Emory Lane and Georgia Avenue. There have been no decisions or discussions about how to implement the Rock
Creek North Branch Trail between Lake Frank and the ICC Trail.

RECOMMENDATIONS
• Retain the CBP between Emory Lane and Georgia Avenue in County master plans, recognizing it may be built
within or outside the highway right-of-way. Study the grade-separated crossing of Georgia Avenue in a CIP facility
planning study.

• Study the Rock Creek Trail segments north of the ICC and south of Muncaster Mill Road in the Department of
Parks CIP.

• Include the park trail connector along Emory Lane and Muncaster Mill Road in a CIP facility planning study.
Consider coordinating this effort with the park trail connector study identified above. Examine connections to
the Meadowside Lane and the WSSC access road along the east side of the stream, south of Muncaster Mill.
Minimize impacts to the historic mill site adjacent to the stream and south of Muncaster Mill Road.

Study Area C: Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park and Vicinity

ISSUES
• Connecting the CBP terminus at Notley Road (Point B on map 4) with the Matthew Henson Trail through the park,
as well as with the CBP terminus at Layhill Road (Point A on map 4) through the park or along parallel roads.

• Deciding whether to remove a new trail/bikeway (since it was not built with the highway) parallel to the highway
between Notley Road and Alderton Road from County master plans.

• Deciding whether to remove the CBP parallel to the highway—adjoining the Bonifant Woods community—
between the future Matthew Henson Trail connector and Bonifant Road from County master plans.

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 Map 4 Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park and Vicinity

SP-40 with Highway

Deleted CBP Alignment

SP-40

DB-43

SP-76

Former ICC Alignment

ICC Alignment

Existing Bike Route

Proposed Bike Route

Park Hard Surface Trail

Wetlands

Floodplains

Streams

Parks

Connection Points

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• Studying a new park trail connector that would double as the modified alignment for SP-40 between Bonifant and
Layhill roads to and/or through the Trolley Museum site and the future developed park area surrounding it.

• Deciding whether to accept the State’s plan to route the path along parallel roads in conjunction with
improvements to these roads that accommodate all user groups.

DISCUSSION
The ROD did not include the master planned CBP along the ICC right-of-way between Notley Road and Layhill Road.
SHA’s Bike Plan instead recommended an on-road route via existing bikeways along Alderton, Bonifant, and Layhill
roads to connect the Matthew Henson Trail with the ICC trail terminus at Layhill Road. It also recommended a future
trail connection between Notley Road and Alderton Road (and thus the Matthew Henson Trail heading west) as an
area for which the County could partner with the State to study and implement, separate from the highway project.

The bicycle and pedestrian routes along the roadway alternatives are adequate for experienced cyclists, but offer an
incomplete, discontinuous, or inadequate route for users of other ability levels, most notably the family cyclist
Therefore, this Plan evaluates bicycle and pedestrian accommodation along these roads and recommends master
plan amendments.

A new alignment for SP-40 through the Northwest Branch Park between Layhill Road and Bonifant Road, connecting
to and through the Trolley Museum site will be studied in more detail during the Northwest Branch Park Master Plan
update. The primary concern about a shared use path in the Northwest Branch and vicinity are the sensitive
environmental resources south of Bonifant Road, particularly between the Matthew Henson Trail and Notley Road. A
path through this area should avoid bisecting the biodiversity area and contiguous forest.

The primary objective for the ICCLFMPA is how to connect points A and B along the ICC. A secondary concern is how
to connect point C; the eastern terminus of the built portion of the Matthew Henson Trail, to the ICC shared-use path
at point B.

RECOMMENDATIONS
• Designate a new alignment for SP-40 that parallels the ICC through Northwest Branch Park and Layhill Local Park
between Layhill and Bonifant Roads connecting to and through the new location for the National Capital Trolley
Museum, then traveling along Bonifant Road, Alderton Road, and the Matthew Henson Trail.

• Designate a new shared use path (DB-43) along the south side of Bonifant Road between the ICC and Notley
Road, effectively making this stretch of Bonifant Road a dual bikeway (proposed shared use path, existing bike
lanes).

• Designate a new shared-use path along the east side of Alderton Road between Bonifant Road and the Matthew
Henson Trail as part of SP-40.
• Designate a new shared use path (SP-76) along the west side of Notley Road between Bonifant Road and the ICC
Trail.

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 Map 5 Upper Paint Branch Stream Valley Park, US 29 and Vicinity

Interchange

Proposed Park Trail

SP-40 with Highway

SP-40

DB-41, DB-42

ICC Alignment

Existing Bike Route

Proposed Bike Route

Park Hard Surface Trail

Wetlands

Floodplains

Streams

Parks

Special Protection Areas

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• Extend the Matthew Henson Trail (hard surface) across Northwest Branch Stream Valley Park from Alderton Road to
Notley Road as part of SP-40, effectively making it a transportation bikeway, connecting to the CBP (SP-40) along the
ICC that terminates at Notley Road from the east.

• Do not further study SP-40 or any hard surface park trails along the old (Northwest Branch Option B) ICC right-of-way
between Bonifant Road and the eastern boundary of Northwest Branch Park.

Study Area D: Upper Paint Branch Stream Valley Park and Vicinity

ISSUES
• Whether to remove from County master plans the CBP through the park between Old Columbia Pike and New
Hampshire Avenue.

• Whether to accept the State Bike Plan recommendation to route the trail along parallel roads.

• Recommending road improvements that accommodate all potential trail user groups and ability levels.

DISCUSSION
The ROD didn’t include the master planned trail along this highway segment. SHA’s Plan instead routes the trail along
parallel roads to bypass the park’s environmentally sensitive resources. Likewise, the Department of Parks doesn’t
support putting the CBP through the park due to environmental concerns, including impervious cover impacts in the
Upper Paint Branch Special Protection Area. Efforts to reduce the highway’s footprint make it unlikely the CBP could
be built within the highway right-of-way. Therefore, the path would need to be constructed parallel to the highway
through parkland to maintain the off-road connection.

In their first worksession, the Board decided—after considerable testimony in favor—that the hard surface park trail
through Paint Branch SVP recommended in the Countywide Park Trails Plan could serve as a suitable alternative to the
current master planned CBP. Staff proposed a possible alignment for this park trail during the worksession (the green
dotted line on map 5) that connects Cape May Road and Countryside Lane and Park, and to the existing bike lanes
along Briggs Chaney Road that lead to the US 29 Corridor and beyond. The ultimate location and design for this
future park trail would be studied by the Department of Parks as part of a trail corridor study.

PRIOR DECISIONS
The Planning Board supported the SHA route during its review of the highway’s FEIS and suggested removing
SP-40 through the park from County master plans. The County Council did not support the SHA route and
recommended the parallel trail CBP along the highway but within the right-of-way. The Council did not comment on
routing the trail through the park and parallel to the highway.

RECOMMENDATIONS
• Retain SP-40 along the ICC through the Paint Branch Stream Valley Park area. To avoid and/or minimize impacts to
sensitive environmental and natural resources in this park, construct the shared use path within the limit of disturbance
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 Table 1 Summary of Recommendations Affecting SP-40

Segment ICCLFMPA recommendation

Midcounty Highway terminus at Shady Grove SP-40

Road to CBP trail terminus at Needwood - New shared use path along Muncaster Mill Road between Applewood Lane and Needwood Road
Road - New shared use path along Needwood Road from ICC to Muncaster Mill Road
- Shared roadway connection along Applewood Lane from Muncaster Mill Road to Midcounty Highway

DB-40
- Existing shared use path and proposed bike lanes along Muncaster Mill Road from Shady Grove Road to Applewood
Lane

Amend plan to add new shared use path to Muncaster Mill Road segments and a bike route along Applewood Lane

Layhill Road to Notley Road SP-40

- New shared use path through Northwest Branch Park generally parallel to the ICC, connecting Layhill Local Park with
the National Capital Trolley Museum Site
- New shared use path along Bonifant Road between new future entrance for Northwest Branch Regional Park and Alderton
Road
- New shared use path along the east side of Alderton Road between Bonifant Road and Matthew Henson Trail (MHT)
- Extend MHT from Alderton Road across Northwest Branch connecting to Notley Road. This segment of the MHT functions
as part of SP-40

DB-43
- Existing bike lanes and new shared use path along Bonifant Road between ICC and Notley Road

SP-76
- New shared use path along west side of Notley Road between Bonifant Road and ICC

Amend plan to add shared use path to Bonifant Road and Notley Road, as well as along Alderton Road to provide connection to
MHT as well as SP-40 through Northwest Branch Park north of Bonifant Road

New Hampshire Avenue to US 29 DB-41

- New shared use path along west side of New Hampshire Avenue between Randolph Road and the ICC

DB-42
- New shared use path along south side of Fairland Road between East Randolph Road and US 29

Amend plan to provide alternative shared use path connection outside the Special Protection Area via New Hampshire Avenue,
Randolph Road, and Fairland Road

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 for the ICC highway project as a first preference, within the 300-foot wide master planned right-of-way as a second preference
and within parkland as the third preference, recognizing that the final alignment may be a blend of all options with the trail
weaving in and out of these areas in order to best balance the needs of trail users with the need for environmental protection.

• Designate a new shared use path along Fairland Road, Randolph Road, and New Hampshire Avenue as a supplemental
bikeway/trail connector between the US 29 Corridor and the ICC trail heading west at New Hampshire Avenue. The CBFMP
designations for these roads are modified as follows:

• New Hampshire Avenue between East Randolph Road and the ICC becomes DB-41 (existing bike lanes, proposed shared
use path)
• Fairland Road between East Randolph Road and US 29 becomes DB-42 (existing bike lanes, proposed shared use path).
The path should be on the south side to avoid the Upper Paint Branch Special Protection Area.

• Pursue the CPTP recommendation to identify a park trail connection through the park parallel to the ICC. Request the
Department of Parks study this park trail connector as a high priority trail corridor study, and evaluate the general alignment
shown on map 5 to determine feasibility, detailed alignment, and surface type.

Study Area E: US 29 and Vicinity

ISSUES
• Whether to retain the CBP through the US 29 interchange in County master plans.

• Whether to retain the segment of CBP between US 29 and Briggs Chaney Road in County master plans.

DISCUSSION
The ROD didn’t include the CBP through either area. SHA’s Bike Plan instead routes the path along US 29 (part of the
US 29 commuter bikeway) and then along a shared use path on Briggs Chaney Road heading east into Prince
George’s County. Weaving the trail east-west through the US 29 interchange (going over US 29) was cost prohibitive,
while the segment between US 29 and Briggs Chaney Road was a simple cost saving measure since the path along
Briggs Chaney Road exists.

There is no reason to remove the CBP from County master plans now and the County shouldn’t preclude options for
bicycle and pedestrian connections in this area, including a possible connection to or along the ICC right-of-way
through the Tanglewood community and the new parkland adjoining Tanglewood Park acquired by the County as part
of the ICC highway project.

SHA’s design for the path along the east side of US 29 is adequate and the shared use path along Briggs Chaney
Road is a suitable connection to the Prince George’s County bikeways and trails network. The only question is
ensuring a safe connection with a future path along Fairland Road. This should be studied in detail when SHA designs
the Fairland Road US 29 interchange project.
PRIOR DECISIONS
The Planning Board supported the SHA Bike Plan during its review of the highway’s FEIS but stopped short of recommending its
removal from
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 Map 6 SP-40 Before and After
Prior SP-40 Alignment Future SP-40 Alignment
Matthew Henson Trail
ICC Alignment
Parks
Metro Stations Proposed Interchanges

MARC Stations

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County master plans. The County Council did not support the SHA Bike Plan and recommended the CBP along the highway, within the right
of-way, and through the US 29 interchange to the Prince George’s County line.

RECOMMENDATIONS
• Retain the CBP (SP-40) through the US 29 interchange.
• Retain the segment of the CBP between Briggs Chaney Road and US 29 in County master plans.
• Examine the connection between the future shared use path along the south side of Fairland Road with the path along the east side of US
29 as part of the proposed Fairland/US 29 interchange study.

County Bike Path—Before and After

This master plan amendment can be summarized by describing what happens to the CBP (SP-40) as a result of the various recommendations.
All prior master plans, including the CBFMP, envisioned a pathway or trail within the highway right-of-way from Shady Grove Road to the
Prince George’s County Line. This amendment recommends retaining the previously master planned alignment in three areas (Study Areas B,
D, and E) and routing it along major roads in others, generally consistent with the SHA’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. Table 1 shows how
SP-40 would function under this amendment.

Park Trails—Before and After

This plan amendment affects a number of park trail alignments, and thus also the CPTP, which has specific connections with the trail along
the highway.

MATTHEW HENSON TRAIL (see map 4). The County Bike Path was intended to intersect with the MHT within Northwest Branch Stream
Valley Park south of Bonifant Road, where the MHT-reserved land intersects with the ICC right-of-way. When the State decided not to include
the trail through the park along the highway, the location of the trails-intersection changed significantly. With the CBP no longer passing
through the park south of Bonifant Road (orange line), the connection between the MHT terminus at Alderton Road and the CBP terminus at
Notley Road now must be implemented as a transportation bikeway, thus making it part of the SP-40 designation. Therefore this connection
between Alderton Road (Point C on map 4) and Notley Road (Point B on map 4) becomes a bikeway connector, an extension of the
Matthew Henson Trail, to be evaluated jointly by the Department of Parks and the Department of Transportation as a future facility planning
study, with SHA funding assistance requested per the ICC ROD.

PAINT BRANCH STREAM VALLEY PARK (see map 5). The CBP is retained along the ICC through the park area. Recognizing the CBP
is a long-term vision, in the short term hard surface trail users will be expected to follow the SHA Bike/Pedestrian Plan (Fairland Road, East
Randolph Road, and New Hampshire Avenue). The Department of Parks will also initiate a trail corridor study to determine the type (hard
surface or natural), location, and design of a future trail through the park connecting Cape May Road with Countryside Park, consistent with
the recommendations in the CPTP.

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 APPENDIX

Acronyms and Definitions

CBFMP Countywide Bikeways Functional Master Plan

CBP County Bike Path (master planned route of SP-40 in CBFMP)
CPTP Countywide Park Trails Plan
CIP Capital Improvement Program
DEIS Draft Environmental Impact Statement
DOT Montgomery County Department of Transportation
FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement
ICC Intercounty Connector
ICCLFMPA Intercounty Connector Limited Functional Master Plan Amendment
M-83 Midcounty Highway (M-83 is the master plan identification)
ROD federal Record of Decision
SHA Plan SHA’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (approved as part of the ICC Record of Decision and
functioning as the State’s alternative to the master planned County Bike Path)
SHA State Highway Administration
SP shared-use path
WSSC Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission

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Intercounty Connector Limited Functional Master Plan Amendment
B I K E WAYS AN D I NTE R C HAN G E S
APPROVED AND ADOPTED

Montgomery County Planning Department

8787 Georgia Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryalnd 20910

www.MontgomeryPlanning.org 35