Queen Anne's looking to connect county trails

CENTREVILLE — Cross county trail connectivity is on the right path as Steve Chandlee, Queen Anne’s Parks and Recreation director and Steve Cohoon, public works public facilities planner, presented updates on the ongoing multi-phase county trails project Sept. 24.

From Matapeake to Route 50, the six-phase project seeks to establish pedestrian and biking routes and safely connect existing South Island and the Cross Island trails, according to Chandlee.

Phase 1 of the Queen Anne’s County Trail Project includes Ellendale Connector near Waterman Joe and is currently under construction, Cohoon said.

Phase 2 entails the Matapeake School Complex to Mowbray Park is permitted and construction is expected from Oct. 1 through Feb. 28, 2025, and will include tree clearing, stone base and stormwater installation and extensive grading.

Phase 3 involves the wooded area through the back of Mowbray Park to Waterman Joe and is currently in design and engineering and waiting on final construction plans and permits with estimated construction expected March 5 through May 30.

Phase 4 involves the Route 8 crossing to Christ Church to the Matapeake Trailhead and is seeking design and funding. This portion is expected to be the most expensive due to the marshy area and many trees to be removed.

Phase 5 entails the Thompson Creek and is seeking design and funding with funding needed for the construction of the road.

Phase 6 involves U.S. Route 50/301 overpass crossing.

There are three potential locations for crossing that take into account county-owned property or easements, Cohoon said.

A key aspect of the project moving forward will be a required feasibility study by the State Highway Administration to determine where the best crossing location would be and where connections to existing trails systems can be made, he said.

This study will take into account future plans including bay crossing and the widening of Route 50.

The department is currently seeking grant funds for the approximately $120,000 to $150,000 feasibility study, Cohoon said.

A timeframe for completion is undetermined at this point as the different potential locations may have different impacts, he said.

Many of the construction aspects are weather dependent, he said.

Progress also is developing on the Cross County Connector Trail Extension, according to Cohoon. Queen Anne’s County received $80,000 from the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board through the adoption of the 2024 Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan earlier this year. This grant is to conduct a feasibility study to extend the Cross County Connector Trail from Long Point Park to the Nesbit Road overpass by 2.8 miles.

This study includes feasibility of pedestrian and bike facilities on existing overpasses crossing U.S. 50/301 at Chester River Beach Road and Nesbit Road, Cohoon said. Work is underway with RK and K Civil Engineering as the consultant for this portion and is expected to be completed by the end of the year, he said.

“The ultimate goal with any of these crossings is to connect the South Island Trail with the Cross Island Trail. That’s been a long-standing goal for many, many years for the county,” Cohoon said.