ROCKVILLE, MD—The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) Montgomery County Department of Parks and the Maryland State Highway Administration with the Montgomery County Road Runners Club and others will celebrate the Rock Creek Trail Pedestrian Bridge during a grand opening event, Saturday, July 23, 2011 from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon.
The new state-of-the-art Rock Creek Trail Pedestrian Bridge provides safer crossing of Veirs Mill Road (MD Route 586) for Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail users and local Aspen Hill community residents accessing bus transit or other destinations. Construction on the new trail bridge began December 2008 and was completed and opened to public use February 2011. The trail bridge is 605-feet-long. The project includes trail approaches, spur trail and sidewalk connections to the adjacent community, lighting, fencing, piers, abutment wing walls, retaining walls, trail signage and landscape plantings. The project cost about $8.5 million total, which includes $6 million in construction costs. About $5.3 million for this project was obtained from Federal Transportation Enhancement funds and a Maryland Program Open Space grant.
The Department of Parks commissioned an artist as part of the design team to improve the overall appearance of the bridge. The artwork, integrated in the bridge design, references the historical roots of the Veirs Mill, located during the Victorian era along Rock Creek, which is just west of the bridge. The concrete patterning of the bridge piers and walls references millstone motif. The metal cage over the bridge is a throwback to Victorian geometrical shapes and also creates interesting shadow patterns. A key design feature is the “waterwheel” garden at the base of the bridge.
Saturday’s celebration will include brief remarks from parks and highway officials and other invited guests, refreshments, a ribbon cutting and a ride/run led by the Montgomery County Road Runners Club.
WHO:
M-NCPPC Montgomery County Department of Parks
Maryland State Highway Administration
Montgomery County Road Runners Club
WHAT:
Grand Opening Celebration for the Rock Creek Trail Bridge
WHEN:
Saturday, July 23, 2011
10:00 am – 12:00 noon
WHERE:
Aspen Hill Local Park
5013 Baltic Avenue
Aspen Hill, MD 20853
Parking is available at Aspen Hill Local Park. The ceremony will take place at the top of the steps at the trail bridge opening in Aspen Hill Local Park.
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866