MBT

MBT PSA: “Metropolitan Branch Trail Closure for Resurfacing Between Brookland and Fort Totten”

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will temporarily close a portion of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) beginning Monday, October 5, 2026, to complete necessary resurfacing and pavement improvements.

The closure will extend from the Brookland-CUA Metro Station area north toward the Fort Totten Transfer Station. Work is expected to continue for approximately four weeks, through the first week of November 2026, weather permitting.

This section is among the earlier portions of the MBT to have been constructed, (more…)

“back to back incidents with large groups of youths gathering on the trail and trail connection lobby at Washington Gateway. They have then proceeded to getting into altercations that spill down into our plaza and the lobby…”

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to E. for passing on from an ANC Rep via the Eckington Civic Association (ECA):

“I have received the following from MRP, the company that manages the bike lobby linking the MBT to Florida Avenue, and pass it along.

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Over the last two days we have had back to back incidents with large groups of youths gathering on the trail and trail connection lobby at Washington Gateway. They have then proceeded to getting into altercations that spill down into our plaza and the lobby of the Burton apartments. The police have been relatively quick to respond, but similar to the firework incident that we had in July (where the youth shot a roman candle into our lobby) the police tactic is just to disburse the crowd.

We have closed the trail connection to try to de-escalate the situation. Hopefully this will bring some normalcy and we will be able to reopen shortly. (more…)

“I was struck by gunfire while (bike) riding home from work…You were there for me until the EMTs took me away. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping me.”

By Prince Of Petworth

photo by D. Garrett

“Dear PoPville and the MBT Community,

On July 28th, around 5:30 p.m., I was struck by gunfire while riding home from work on the 8th Street NE section of the bike trail (the section of protected bike lanes across from the Dew Drop Inn.) I was riding fast, trying to beat the storm and deciding whether to stop at Trader Joe’s to pick up some vegetables when I heard gunshots. They were all around me. Moments later, I was lying on the street, trying to make sense of what had happened and bleeding.

Then, all of you showed up.

I can’t thank you all enough. You asked all the right questions, (more…)

“More Fireworks on MBT – With the number of people and children who use the trail every day, this is so dangerous and scary.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Just wanted to add a follow up warning to your post about the fireworks at Tanner Park’s movie night last week. Anyone using the MBT should be very aware of their surroundings this weekend and use extra caution passing through.

Today (Wednesday) at about 6:45pm, a kid was holding and shooting a lit firework down the trail at basically chest height. He, and we, were all under the New York Ave bridge – that’s how close range this was, and it’s lucky no one was hit. (more…)

“long story short, watch out on the MBT. Avoid wearing big headphones or anything with a chord that is easy to grab”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

The headphone snatchers are still out on the MBT. A week ago I was walking on the MBT at night near the Eckington Dog Park and two teens rode by on a Lime electric bike. A woman coming the other way yelled something and said they had just grabbed her air pods. I don’t know if she got them back but they took off so it’s unlikely.

And Friday, May 29, in broad daylight at 6 pm, (more…)

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