Project Links
Demolition of Foundry Branch Trestle
Rock Creek Park » Demolition of Foundry Branch Trestle » Document List
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."
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
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."
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