Project Links
Demolition of Foundry Branch Trestle
Rock Creek Park » Demolition of Foundry Branch Trestle
Update: July 15, 2026
On July 15, the National Park Service will release the final Memorandum of Agreement for the proposed removal of the Foundry Branch streetcar trestle bridge. The document can be accessed by clicking on the link that says "Document List" on the left-hand side of this web page.
The structure, which is owned by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), spans federal parkland and is historically significant as the last remaining streetcar bridge in the District of Columbia. It is also a contributing resource to Glover-Archbold Park. Managed by the National Park Service's Rock Creek Park, Glover-Archbold Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the DC Inventory of Historic Sites.
Since 2014, feasibility and engineering studies have assessed whether the bridge could be adapted for uses such as a recreational trail. Despite these evaluations, the bridge remains in an extreme state of disrepair and poses a safety hazard. Conditions included in the National Park Service Special Use Permit will allow WMATA to temporarily use federal parkland to stage equipment and materials and to access the site.
After demolition, the area will be cleared of materials and replanted with native vegetation to support the park's natural environment. The historic Glover-Archbold Park trail that passes under the bridge will also be reopened after years of closure, reestablishing an important pedestrian connection and improving access to the park for visitors.
The Memorandum of Agreement is a legally binding document that records the National Park Service's compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. It was developed in response to WMATA's application for a Special Use Permit to access federal parkland and remove the bridge. The agreement outlines the results of extensive consultation on the project and documents the adverse effects that demolition will have on the park's historic resources. It also identifies mitigation measures, including completion of historic property documentation, installation of interpretive signage, preservation of the concrete trestle footers, and landscape improvements.
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Update: April 21, 2025
The National Park Service has posted the draft Memorandum of Agreement for the issuance of a Special Use Permit, by the National Park Service, for the demolition of the Foundry Branch Trestle Bridge in Glover Archbold Park in Washington, DC. This draft document provides information about the project history, as well as proposed measures intended to mitigate the adverse effect caused by the bridge's removal from the landscape.
All interested parties are encouraged to comment on the Memorandum of Agreement during the comment period, which ends May 20, 2025 at 11:59 pm. The Memorandum of Agreement can be accessed by clicking on the link that says, "Open for Comment (1)" on the left-hand side of the screen. Once you click on that link, open the document that says, "Draft Memorandum of Agreement, Issuance of a Special Use Permit for Demolition of the Foundry Branch Trestle." The document is found by clicking on the link under the "Document Content" heading. Comments can be provided on this website through May 20, 2025 by clicking on the button that says "Comment Now."
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Update: October 28, 2024
The National Park Service has posted meeting minutes from, and the presentation provided at, the fourth Consulting Parties meeting, held on October 25, 2024.
The meeting minutes can be accessed by clicking on the link that says "Document List" on the left-hand side of the screen. The meeting notes are contained in the file titled "Foundry Branch Trestle Consulting Parties Meeting 4 Notes."
The presentation from the meeting can be accessed by clicking on the link that says "Open for Comment (1)" on the left-hand side of the screen. Once you click on that link, open the document that says "Presentation from Foundry Branch Trestle Consulting Parties Meeting 4." The presentation is found by clicking on the link under the "Document Content" heading. Comments can be provided on this website through November 25, 2024 by clicking on the button that says "Comment Now."
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Update: October 10, 2024
The National Park Service, Rock Creek Park is convening the fourth Consulting Parties meeting associated with the Special Use Permit application by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to raze the historic trestle bridge as well as the associated infrastructure, including the concrete abutments and all portions of the bridge located on or crossing over federal parkland. This invitation is being extended as part of compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). NPS land would be used for staging equipment and materials, as well as for site access. Following demolition, the site would be restored to naturalistic conditions and the Glover Archbold Park Trail - closed since 2016, as it passes under the trestle - would be reopened. During the meeting, anticipated discussion topics will include minimization and mitigation measures for removal of the bridge.
This meeting will be held virtually on the Microsoft Teams platform on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. You can join at that time accessing the following link:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NDZkMzQ1NmUtNjI2ZC00OThlLWIzY2EtNjkxZjk2NmRmODY5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%220693b5ba-4b18-4d7b-9341-f32f400a5494%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22cde9f78e-1c55-47c2-8c5a-04483590fcd4%22%7d
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Update: May 20, 2024
The National Park Service has uploaded the notes from the third Consulting Parties meeting, held April 22, 2024, in the "Document List" link on the left-hand side of this Web page. The meeting presentation is also uploaded to the Document List. If there are any questions about these materials, please contact Cultural Resources Program Manager Courtney Cain Gjesfjeld and/or Resources, Lands and Planning Manager Nick Bartolomeo by email or phone, please see the "Contact Information" section below.
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The National Park Service is reviewing a Special Use permit application from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to demolish the historic Foundry Branch Trestle Bridge in northwest Washington, D.C. The elevated railway bridge is owned by WMATA and is located within the boundaries of Glover Archbold Park, which is federal park land managed by Rock Creek Park.
Built in 1896 for the Washington and Great Falls Electric Railway Company, the bridge was part of the streetcar line that connected Georgetown in the District of Columbia with Glen Echo, Maryland. Streetcar service continued through the first half of the twentieth century and eventually ended in 1960. That same year, D.C. Transit took over ownership of the bridge, but since the streetcar line was no longer in service, its condition languished in subsequent years. The structure is the last remaining streetcar bridge in D.C. The streetcar line is associated with the history of development of northwest Washington, D.C and the bridge is considered a contributing resource to Glover Archbold Park, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1997, the U.S. Court of Appeals conveyed the several D.C. Transit assets to WMATA as part of a litigation settlement, including the Foundry Branch bridge. Today, the bridge is in a state of extreme disrepair. Due to its failing structural integrity, the National Park Service has closed off the area around the bridge, as well as the Glover Archbold Trail that goes beneath the bridge.
WMATA currently proposes to completely raze the bridge and all associated infrastructure, including the concrete abutments. Park land would be used for staging equipment and materials, as well as for site access. Following demolition, the site would be restored to naturalistic conditions and the Glover Archbold Trail reopened.
The National Park Service will be posting documents concerning this project on this web site. Requests for additional information may be directed to the project contacts, listed below.
Rock Creek Park Resources, Lands and Planning Manager Nick Bartolomeo, 202-895-6010, nick_bartolomeo@nps.gov
On July 15, the National Park Service will release the final Memorandum of Agreement for the proposed removal of the Foundry Branch streetcar trestle bridge. The document can be accessed by clicking on the link that says "Document List" on the left-hand side of this web page.
The structure, which is owned by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), spans federal parkland and is historically significant as the last remaining streetcar bridge in the District of Columbia. It is also a contributing resource to Glover-Archbold Park. Managed by the National Park Service's Rock Creek Park, Glover-Archbold Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the DC Inventory of Historic Sites.
Since 2014, feasibility and engineering studies have assessed whether the bridge could be adapted for uses such as a recreational trail. Despite these evaluations, the bridge remains in an extreme state of disrepair and poses a safety hazard. Conditions included in the National Park Service Special Use Permit will allow WMATA to temporarily use federal parkland to stage equipment and materials and to access the site.
After demolition, the area will be cleared of materials and replanted with native vegetation to support the park's natural environment. The historic Glover-Archbold Park trail that passes under the bridge will also be reopened after years of closure, reestablishing an important pedestrian connection and improving access to the park for visitors.
The Memorandum of Agreement is a legally binding document that records the National Park Service's compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. It was developed in response to WMATA's application for a Special Use Permit to access federal parkland and remove the bridge. The agreement outlines the results of extensive consultation on the project and documents the adverse effects that demolition will have on the park's historic resources. It also identifies mitigation measures, including completion of historic property documentation, installation of interpretive signage, preservation of the concrete trestle footers, and landscape improvements.
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Update: April 21, 2025
The National Park Service has posted the draft Memorandum of Agreement for the issuance of a Special Use Permit, by the National Park Service, for the demolition of the Foundry Branch Trestle Bridge in Glover Archbold Park in Washington, DC. This draft document provides information about the project history, as well as proposed measures intended to mitigate the adverse effect caused by the bridge's removal from the landscape.
All interested parties are encouraged to comment on the Memorandum of Agreement during the comment period, which ends May 20, 2025 at 11:59 pm. The Memorandum of Agreement can be accessed by clicking on the link that says, "Open for Comment (1)" on the left-hand side of the screen. Once you click on that link, open the document that says, "Draft Memorandum of Agreement, Issuance of a Special Use Permit for Demolition of the Foundry Branch Trestle." The document is found by clicking on the link under the "Document Content" heading. Comments can be provided on this website through May 20, 2025 by clicking on the button that says "Comment Now."
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Update: October 28, 2024
The National Park Service has posted meeting minutes from, and the presentation provided at, the fourth Consulting Parties meeting, held on October 25, 2024.
The meeting minutes can be accessed by clicking on the link that says "Document List" on the left-hand side of the screen. The meeting notes are contained in the file titled "Foundry Branch Trestle Consulting Parties Meeting 4 Notes."
The presentation from the meeting can be accessed by clicking on the link that says "Open for Comment (1)" on the left-hand side of the screen. Once you click on that link, open the document that says "Presentation from Foundry Branch Trestle Consulting Parties Meeting 4." The presentation is found by clicking on the link under the "Document Content" heading. Comments can be provided on this website through November 25, 2024 by clicking on the button that says "Comment Now."
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Update: October 10, 2024
The National Park Service, Rock Creek Park is convening the fourth Consulting Parties meeting associated with the Special Use Permit application by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to raze the historic trestle bridge as well as the associated infrastructure, including the concrete abutments and all portions of the bridge located on or crossing over federal parkland. This invitation is being extended as part of compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). NPS land would be used for staging equipment and materials, as well as for site access. Following demolition, the site would be restored to naturalistic conditions and the Glover Archbold Park Trail - closed since 2016, as it passes under the trestle - would be reopened. During the meeting, anticipated discussion topics will include minimization and mitigation measures for removal of the bridge.
This meeting will be held virtually on the Microsoft Teams platform on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. You can join at that time accessing the following link:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NDZkMzQ1NmUtNjI2ZC00OThlLWIzY2EtNjkxZjk2NmRmODY5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%220693b5ba-4b18-4d7b-9341-f32f400a5494%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22cde9f78e-1c55-47c2-8c5a-04483590fcd4%22%7d
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Update: May 20, 2024
The National Park Service has uploaded the notes from the third Consulting Parties meeting, held April 22, 2024, in the "Document List" link on the left-hand side of this Web page. The meeting presentation is also uploaded to the Document List. If there are any questions about these materials, please contact Cultural Resources Program Manager Courtney Cain Gjesfjeld and/or Resources, Lands and Planning Manager Nick Bartolomeo by email or phone, please see the "Contact Information" section below.
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The National Park Service is reviewing a Special Use permit application from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to demolish the historic Foundry Branch Trestle Bridge in northwest Washington, D.C. The elevated railway bridge is owned by WMATA and is located within the boundaries of Glover Archbold Park, which is federal park land managed by Rock Creek Park.
Built in 1896 for the Washington and Great Falls Electric Railway Company, the bridge was part of the streetcar line that connected Georgetown in the District of Columbia with Glen Echo, Maryland. Streetcar service continued through the first half of the twentieth century and eventually ended in 1960. That same year, D.C. Transit took over ownership of the bridge, but since the streetcar line was no longer in service, its condition languished in subsequent years. The structure is the last remaining streetcar bridge in D.C. The streetcar line is associated with the history of development of northwest Washington, D.C and the bridge is considered a contributing resource to Glover Archbold Park, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1997, the U.S. Court of Appeals conveyed the several D.C. Transit assets to WMATA as part of a litigation settlement, including the Foundry Branch bridge. Today, the bridge is in a state of extreme disrepair. Due to its failing structural integrity, the National Park Service has closed off the area around the bridge, as well as the Glover Archbold Trail that goes beneath the bridge.
WMATA currently proposes to completely raze the bridge and all associated infrastructure, including the concrete abutments. Park land would be used for staging equipment and materials, as well as for site access. Following demolition, the site would be restored to naturalistic conditions and the Glover Archbold Trail reopened.
The National Park Service will be posting documents concerning this project on this web site. Requests for additional information may be directed to the project contacts, listed below.
Contact Information
Rock Creek Park Cultural Resources Program Manager Cortney Cain Gjesfjeld, 202-895-6067, cortney_c_gjesfjeld@nps.govRock Creek Park Resources, Lands and Planning Manager Nick Bartolomeo, 202-895-6010, nick_bartolomeo@nps.gov