Change Is Coming to the Capital Crescent Trail

If you listen closely on a quiet night, you can almost hear in your imagination the clickety-clack of the Georgetown Branch Railroad as it chugged through Bethesda on its weekly run between Silver Spring and Georgetown, its cars laden with the weight of coal and other freight.

The railroad’s 75-year run ended 40 years ago this summer, leaving behind a railway that was acquired in 1988 by Montgomery County and turned into the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT).

Hints of the railway remain: a tunnel, multiple bridges, stretches of green that bring a cool calmness to a bike ride. You can almost feel the history.

That history is set to evolve yet again as Montgomery County continues to work on its Capital Crescent Trail 2.0 Facility Plan to “reimagine” the CCT, which Montgomery Parks says is the county’s most popular paved trail.

For the past two years, Montgomery Parks (which manages the trail) has held listening sessions, conducted an existing-conditions analysis and planning analysis and collected engineering survey data.

This June they held a virtual community meeting where they presented their findings and preliminary recommendations.

Montgomery Parks’ next step: Moving from the preliminary planning to the facility planning phase, which Trails Planner Kyle Lukacs reports should start in the next few months.

“That all being said,” he added, “we love hearing from the public about the trail regardless of when the survey closed.”

No date has been set yet for the facility plan, so visit the website for updates on timing.

MDOT Secretary Paul Wiedefeld Moves On

He’s been a fixture on the DMV’s transportation scene for decades. And while Paul Wiedefeld hasn’t said what challenge he plans to tackle next, he brought this latest chapter in his career to a close August 1 as he left his position as Maryland’s transportation secretary.

The Baltimore native and current Towson resident became well-known throughout the region during his tenure as General Manager/CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) — aka Metro — from 2015 to 2022.

His service in the administration of Gov. Wes Moore began in early 2023. Among Wiedefeld’s many accomplishments as MDOT secretary was shepherding the state’s response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Wiedefeld described leading MDOT as a “24/7” job in an interview with Maryland Matters. He doesn’t appear to be calling this latest change his swan song, though: He starts his term as president of the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials this month.

MDOT has announced that Samantha J. Biddle will serve as Acting Transportation Secretary. She previously served as deputy transportation secretary.

Each issue of our newsletter for the last few months has highlighted various Bike to Work Day pit stop table sponsors who were at the event. This month, we feature (alphabetically) Chelt Interiors, JUST ICE Tea, Montgomery County Planning and Silver.

Chelt Interiors

I feel strongly that biking to work is a healthier and more sustainable way to commute. It was inspiring meeting so many people on Bike to Work Day who choose a healthy and safe alternative to driving alone. Their choice makes a positive impact on our environment and well-being. I care about my community and surroundings deeply, and I am eager to provide design and consultation services to people who also care about the environment and want to choose sustainably sourced products for their home.

As a third-generation designer and the founder of Chelt Interiors, I serve clients throughout the DMV area and beyond. My multicultural exposure combined with my previous residencies in Italy and Dubai inspire diverse aesthetics, from traditional to midcentury, art deco, bohemian, coastal, and minimalist modern. I love crafting personalized living spaces that evoke joy and unique narratives.

— Isabel (Isy) Jackson, Founder, Chelt Interiors

JUST ICE Tea

In May, Bethesda-based JUST ICE Tea participated in the Bike to Work Event connecting with local bikers, handing out refreshing organic and fair-trade ice tea, and supporting the climate-friendly initiative of reducing carbon emissions. Bikers sipped on our new cans that we launched earlier this year which are perfect for commuters on the go. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay on top of all the fun events and activations we have planned this summer.

— Cat Barnes, JUST ICE Tea

Montgomery County Planning

David Anspacher and Nathan Koiffman represented Montgomery Planning at the Bethesda pit stop. As the authors of Montgomery County’s Bicycle Master Plan, the long-range plan for the development of a safe, comfortable and convenient bicycling network in the county, Montgomery Planning is enthusiastic participants in Bike to Work Day. Discover more about bicycle planning in Montgomery County.

— David Anspacher, Division Chief, Montgomery County Planning Department

Silver

We had such a great time at the Bethesda Bike to Work Day pit stop — the prize wheel was spinning nonstop, and folks loved the Compass Coffee, Açaí yogurt parfaits and Silver coupons to start their morning ride on a high note.

Silver is proud to be part of the downtown Bethesda community. Our menu, created by Executive Chef Ype Von Hengst, is chef-driven and flexitarian — designed to offer something for everyone, whether you’re craving a comforting classic or a vibrant, plant-forward dish. We’re passionate about sourcing from local partners like Michelle’s Granola, Compass Coffee, Uptown Bakers, Firefly Farms and other nearby farms because we believe great food starts with great partnerships.

Bike to Work Day really reflects the values we care about: wellness, sustainability and community. It’s always a joy to support events that bring people together and highlight the energy and connection that make Bethesda such a special place to be.

Thanks again for including us — we’re always happy to take part and support our neighborhood however we can.

— Gabby Howenstein, Marketing Manager, Silver New American Brasserie Bethesda