LEONARDTOWN, Md. (July 23, 2008)—The Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County on Tuesday announced that the County was notified by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley’s office that $771,000 in Transportation Enhancement Program funding has been awarded to St. Mary’s County for the Three Notch Trail. According to Jack Russell, Commissioner President, the award will assist the County with approximately 50% of the overall Phase V construction costs.
“Developing the County’s railroad right-of-way into a hiking, biking and equestrian trail will provide numerous recreational, tourism and transportation opportunities,” said Russell in a prepared statement.
The three-mile Phase V section of the trail runs from John V. Baggett Park in Laurel Grove to MD 5 in Mechanicsville. Baggett Park will serve as a trail hub in this area, where parking and restroom facilities are available.
When the entire trail is completed, it will link the established, more urban areas of Lexington Park and California to more scenic, rural areas such as Hillville, Oakville, Laurel Grove, Mechanicsville and Charlotte Hall. In addition to recreational and fitness uses, the trail is expected to serve transportation needs for those wishing to bike to attractions, shopping, senior centers, libraries, farmers’ markets, businesses and workplaces.
Other Phases of the trail are either already constructed or planned as follows:
-- Phase I: This one mile section of trail from MD 236 to the Northern Senior Center opened in June 2006.
-- Phase II: This 2.25 mile section from the Northern Senior Center to Deborah Drive in Charles County is currently under construction and should be completed by Fall 2008.
-- Phase III: This two mile section, from the Wildewood development south to the Wal-Mart shopping Center, is being constructed by private developers.
-- Phase IV: Design and engineering for Phase IV-A from Wal-Mart to Chancellor’s Run Road is complete (about ½ mile) and construction is expected to begin in 2008. Design and engineering for Phase IV-B from Chancellor’s Run Road to Pegg Road (Gate 1 of Patuxent River Naval Air Station) will be coordinated with the construction of FDR Boulevard.
-- Other phases: Construction of Phases VI through IX, from Wildewood north to Baggett Park and from MD 5 to north to MD 236 in Mechanicsville, is planned for FY11 and beyond as funding permits.