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SITE DESCRIPTION

From Anacostia confluence at Charles Armentrout and Rt. 1 to University Blvd.

N.W. Branch Trail not always safe, especially at night. Muggings, hold ups. Gang hangs out in Mt. Rainier portion after stream crossing by apartments. Existing lights are shot out. Need an emergency call box here (on south side of bridge south of QC on NW Branch). High trail use in this area (narrow trail for use). Broken glass always present. N.W. Branch Trail @ Armentrout and US 1 -- extensive broken glass on sidepath forces cyclists into onstreet traffic. Tree overhangs into trail. Lights can be a huge maintenance issue and will require inter-agency cooperation (from MNCPPC rep). N.W. Branch Trail @ Queens Chapel -- crossing not safe. New ped actuated lights are modifying drivers behavior, but are expected to be abandoned by attrition with the bulbs burn out by SHA. Because MNCPPC considers trails "closed" from dusk to dawn, hard to police. Trails should be considered "highways" open at all times, need more SHA support (not just a recreation issue). Chillum Rd from W. Hyattsville metro station via N.W. Branch trail feeder. Hard to cross this road over to shopping in Mt. Rainier.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Reconfigure Queens Chapel intersection (separate grade?)
  
• Better maintenance. Potholes, broken glass, etc.
• Improve lighting
  
• Designate as "commuting route" recognizing the around-the-clock use of the trail
  
• Emergency callbox near Queens Chapel?
  
• PG Connector route support

Related Intersections Reports

• NW Branch Trail at Route 1
• 38th Ave. at Northwest Branch Trail
• Queens Chapel Rd. at Northwest Branch Trail
• PG Connector
  
• East West Highway (is it an underpass?)
  
• Wells Parkway access?

JURISDICTIONS

Mostly MNCPPC but SHA also since it is a "public thoroughfare".
Wards - This trail borders Hyattsville Wards 1 & 5

ACCIDENT HISTORY

See intersection reports.