Arboretum Bridge to Maryland Avenue Connector Public Meeting

The Arboretum Bridge and Trail is a planned connection between the National Arboretum and the Anacostia River Trail in the Deanwood neighborhood. It's an incredible opportunity to create a new connection for residents to get across the Anacostia River and to provide access to some of the District’s most unique outdoor gems: Anacostia Park and the U.S. National Arboretum.

Currently in the planning stages, the project received a federal RAISE grant in 2023. Construction is projected to start in 2025 and be complete by 2027.

First convened in 2016 by WABA, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, REI, and a host of other regional stakeholders, The Capital Trails Coalition is a collaboration of public and private organizations, agencies, and volunteers working to advance completion of an interconnected network of multi-use trails for metropolitan Washington, DC.  The Coalition convenes and coordinates among the public and private stakeholders who are critical to accomplishing the vision of an interconnected network.

Check out the CTC's website here, and explore the interactive map of existing and planned regional trails here.

Bike lanes are most effective when they connects to other bike lanes, protected bike lanes, even more so.

WABA works with teams of grassroots volunteers across the District to demand a network of low-stress places to bike. A network where you, your kids, nephews, nieces, or grandkids, can all get where you need to go safely, easily, happily on bikes.

Trails are the best. They are low-stress bike infrastructure,  access to nature, parks, landmarks, and community gathering spaces all rolled into one.

WABA's trail advocacy is focused on connecting gaps in our region's trail network; ensuring existing trails are maintained and upgraded to meet current design standards; and expanding the network into underserved parts of the region.

Check out upcoming events in DC’s Wards 7 and 8 that celebrate outdoor resources and opportunities to active!  Get involved with upcoming projects to help you get around by walking, biking, or taking transit. Explore a park, trail, or neighborhood, including Anacostia Park and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, Oxon Run Park and Trail, Marvin Gaye Trail, and more!

Complete Streets are streets designed to accommodate all users, and that prioritize historically underinvested modes of transportation like transit, walking, and biking. An incomplete street might lack adequate sidewalks, low-stress bike infrastructure, or safe and comfortable access to transit.

Effective Complete Streets policies change the way a jurisdiction plans and builds transportation infrastructure—sidewalks, low stress bike infrastructure, and transit should be included in any new or rebuilt street by default, rather than as an add-on when there's space or demand.

While most regional jurisdictions have a Complete Streets policy of some sort, they lack teeth and permit transportation departments to continue to build streets that put cars first and squeeze other modes into the margins.

• Maryland Complete Streets Policy
• Montgomery County Complete Streets Design Guide
• Prince George's County Complete Streets Program
• DC Complete Streets Policy
• Arlington County Complete Streets Program
• Alexandria Complete Streets Program
• Fairfax County Complete Streets 
• Virginia Complete Streets 

WABA fights for a region where biking, walking and transit are the best ways to get around.

We educate policymakers and organize grassroots advocates for to speak up for safer places to bike and walk; and for laws and policies that protect people who are walking and biking, reduce dangerous driving, and facilitate changes to the built environment.

WABA runs a variety of outreach programs that create opportunities for people across the region to join the bicycling community.