WASHINGTON (WMAL) – Metro structural engineers, together with the National Park Service, inspected two former trolley trestle bridges in Montgomery County on Friday and have deemed the trestles as structurally compromised.
The two former trolley trestle bridges were once part of a trolley line linking Georgetown to Glen Echo Park, according to a WMATA media release.
NPS has immediately closed the trail beneath the trolley trestle at Walhonding Road, known as the Sycamore Store Trail, until further notice for the sake of public safety. The trail’s closure will block access to the pedestrian overpass leading to the C&O Canal Towpath from MacArthur Boulevard.
In order to notify the public, temporary fencing is being installed and signage will be posted to notify the public. Pedestrians and cyclists may access the C&O Canal Towpath from several other locations, including the trail next to the Union Arch Bridge on MacArthur Boulevard and via Clara Barton Parkway at Locks 7,8,9, the release stated.
The second trestle, located at Wilson Lane, is not accessible from a public path.
Both trestles, which are more than 120 years old, are located on NPS land and were acquired by Metro as the result of a settlement of a lawsuit in 1997.
Metro is working with NPS to determine the best solution for restoring visitor access.
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