Trail Will Let Commuters Walk to Work

WASHINGTON -- Up until recently, the thought of biking or hiking along the Anacostia River would have been more like a dream -- but that dream is turning into a reality.

Nestled in between RFK Stadium and the banks of the Anacostia River, construction crews are already breaking ground on the first phase of the Anacostia Riverwalk.

The first phase, a two-mile stretch in the District between Benning Road and the Navy Yard, will cater to walkers and bicyclists and is scheduled to open in October.

"We cannot rely on just roadways for people to move around the city," Director of the D.C. Department of Transportation Emeke Moneme says. "We need to provide other ways."

The entire trail is not expected to be completed until 2014, but when it is, the riverwalk will be a 16-mile, multi-use option for people from across the Anacostia River to travel in and out of the city without driving.

"When this is complete, people can use it to get to the ballpark, here at RFK and ideally to the new park next year," Moneme says.

Safety is a priority on the riverwalk, officials say. The trail will be well-lit, and U.S. Park Police will patrol the area.

DDOT estimates the riverwalk will cost more than $50 million to complete.

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